Homer's Iliad and the Odyssey: Two of the Greatest Stories Ever Told

by Gillian Cross

This handsome boxed set of Homer’s epics — powerfully retold by Gillian Cross and strikingly illustrated by Neil Packer — belongs on every reader’s bookshelf.

Epic and thrilling, Homer’s two age-old classics have been revisited countless times. Gillian Cross and Neil Packer’s exquisite versions of The Iliad and The Odyssey make up an essential set for both Homer collectors and readers who have not yet made the acquaintance of Odysseus, Achilles, or Hector. Depicting their actions, and those of the gods they invoke, are vivid, stylistic illustrations reminiscent of Greek pottery, giving these large-format volumes an extra measure of authenticity and appeal. From the raging battles outside the walls of Troy to the strangely surreal ten years it takes Odysseus to journey home, these bold re-envisionings of Homer’s stories are told with simplicity and style — perfect for fans of graphic retellings and mythology enthusiasts alike.

Genres: Classics, Mythology, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Adventure

Audible Audio

Published April 24, 2019

About the author

Gillian Cross was born Gillian Arnold in 1945. She was educated at North London Collegiate School, Somerville College, Oxford and the University of Sussex. Although now a full-time writer who often travels and gives talks in connection with her work, she has had a number of informal jobs including being an assistant to a Member of Parliament. For eight years she also sat on the committee which advises ministers about public libraries.

She is married to Martin Cross and they have four grown-up children, two sons and two daughters.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Met geweldige illustraties en een op jongerenmaat gesneden Engelstalige hervertelling van Homeros' 'Iliad' en 'Odyssey', was het een plezier om in het kader van de voorleesweek deze twee epossen voor te kunnen lezen aan mijn Freinetleerlingen.

Gillian Cross charmeerde en overtuigde me door geen populariserende knieval te maken, door Achilles, Odysseus & co niet tot Hollywoodiaanse actiehelden om te smeden, maar trouw te blijven aan de veelzijdige, meerlagige structuur en de diepmenselijke facetten uit het origineel. Ze mag dan noodzakelijkerwijs een en ander geschrapt hebben, ze voegt ook zinvolle elementen toe uit andere bronnen, zoals de 'Trojaanse Vrouwen' en de 'Aeneas'. Zo creëerde ze haar eigen versie en die is zowel pakkend, samenhangend als meeslepend.

De illustratiestijl van Neil Packer is kleurrijk, eclectisch en de manier waarop hij de personages vormgeeft is allesbehalve flatterend voor de goden, helden en andere bekenden van de strijd om Troje. Hij geeft ze tegelijk iets hip, iets archaïsch en iets middeleeuws. Zo raak je gefascineerd en niet snel uitgekeken op zijn soms hilarisch ogende taferelen. Toch viel ik vooral voor de pagina's waarop hij speelt met de Oud-Griekse letters en woorden, gecombineerd met de sobere, zwartfigurige stijl die we allemaal kennen van de Griekse vazen.

Heerlijk hebbeding en zoals gezegd: an uplifting and grateful pleasure reading it to my pupils!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of the Trojan War and Ulysses’s Odyssey totally in prose. The beauty and the strength of the original poetic version is lost, but the clear and pleasant prose makes it accessible to younger readers.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read both the Iliad and the Odyssey several times, I wanted to introduce my five year-old to the wonder of both books. I can't recommend this set highly enough. He loved them (edited by me as I scanned ahead) and I look forward to him reading this himself in years to come.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and I love these ancient stories. Gillian Cross has done and amazing job. Both the hard copy with its weird and wonderful illustrations and the audiobook are wonderful. My children love it, too. So, so good.

[Alexia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written short version of the stories.

[John Remedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up translated versions of both Iliad and Odyssey in a recent sale, and rather than being overwhelmed and DNFing them I picked up this book. It was clear and concise and I felt like it covered all of the key touchstones throughout both stories. I imagine much beauty and artistry of language was lost in this version, but having said that I definitely feel a lot less apprehensive tackling both stories in the future.

[Bookish_globetrotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the accessibility of the author’s storytelling. Personally, I enjoyed the Odyssey more than the Iliad, but both these ancient classics were told in a comprehensive and illustrative manner. I appreciated the author’s use of metaphors and similies which did not only help to develop the characters and build the world but also mimic the stories’ original lyrical style.

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great retelling for kids

[James Horsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a retelling of two seminal works of Greek literature. The Iliad and The Odyssey are among the most famous texts ever written and Cross adapts these texts to make them accessible to a modern day reader.

The Iliad tells the story of the Trojan war. Whilst this retelling gives details of the battle it does omit some of the key details, for instance Odysseus' initial reluctance to join the war which would have added depth to the character. Cross also doesn't go into much detail when explaining the reasons for the Trojan war beginning. The target reader would benefit from knowing why the Trojans and Greeks are at war and why Helen ran away with Paris.

The Odyssey explores Odysseus' arduous journey home following the war which resulted in the nameless thousands of men in his fleet dying and Odysseus overcoming countless Gods, giants, monsters and catastrophic events. This retelling moves at a fast pace and is the stronger part of this collection.

This is a great way into the texts for younger readers. It lacks the humour and whimsy of the likes of Stephen Fry, but this is well worth a read, especially if you haven't explored these must read texts before.

[Daisy May Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not easy to claim ownership of a big story like the Iliad or the Odyssey and yet Gillian Cross does a bang up job of it. This is a steady and rather appealing retelling of the saga and I enjoyed every inch of it. The chapters are vividly accessible and immediate little chunks of bitesize story and I think this is just really nicely played. I also really valued at how it touched on some of the less visible parts of the saga and told them with such freshness. What makes it particularly special are the little extra notes in the edition. Neil Packer's illustrations are deeply evocative of classical Greek art but also give you something deliciously quirky and strange at the same time. It's lovely work.

[Nick H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly well-told ILIAD and ODYSSEY for young people. Even though I read the full versions several times per year, I like to read some of these abridgments too, to see what authors consider worth keeping. This one gives a pretty fair picture of both poems, without glossing over the ILIAD’s violence or the ODYSSEY’s complicated morality too much. I did think it was weird however, that Cross chose to remove the “Achilles in Hades” moment, which is probably the most clear “moral to learn from young people” in the story. Pugh does a great narration, full of lively characters. [AUDIBLE]

結構よかったな若者向けのイリアスとオデュッセイア。かなり全ての物語のイメージある、後いい言葉遣いとか。戦うと血避けてない、バランスがいい。たまに変な削除の一部ある。例えば、「ハデスの中のアキレウス」はオデュッセイアの1番いい子供向けのレッスンの部分と思った，けどこの話になかった。これはオーディオブックだったからイラストなかった、けどテキストのバージョンはイラストあるらしい

[Declan O'Keeffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

After recently finishing the full translations of both of these novels, I really felt the need to get a simplified version.

I thoroughly enjoyed the editions I read, but at times felt them a little hard to hollow.

This version really strips down the stories to the bare minimum in order for anyone to be able to follow, enjoy and understand the stories and I really enjoyed doing it this way.

I got through the whole thing in one sitting. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Sarah Colaiacovo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to these stories for young readers with an interest in this genre. An excellent paring back with a clear and engaging language. Also a great way for any reader to access these stories if they are reading the many other transformative texts based on characters and events from these stories.

[Laura Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so so so good!!!! It was nearly exactly the same as the classic The Iliad and the Odyssey just being slightly simplified so that kids and teens could read it. I loved it !!!! It is really great to learn from Odysseus, Hector and Achilles. Such a great book- would recommend to fellow history lovers 😀😀😀😀😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃.

[John Deardurff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young adult version of these Greek classics by Homer takes the poetic versions of The Iliad and The Odyssey and puts it into a much more readable prose version. I really enjoyed this re-telling of the Trojan War and then Ulysses 10 year journey home from the Trojan War.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally have a good understanding of Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, because I listened to this narration on audible. The story brought back memories of my heritage with names of many: my grandmother, my aunts, my cousins. It encouraged me to research the location of Troy, Sparta and Ithaca and the relationships of the characters. Thank you, Mr. Cross.

[Zahida Zahoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version of The Iliad and The Odyssey really brings the old stories to life. The writing is clear and fast-paced, making the epic feel exciting and easy to follow. A great way to get into Greek myths without getting lost in the old language. 5/5

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggles with Homer's Odyssey back in high school, but have always wanted to get back into it. Gillian Cross' re-telling was easy to digest over a weekend - and now I can finally tick reading it off my list with a base understanding of the Illiad and Odyssey.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This narrative retelling makes it easy to understand, follow, and engage with without dumbing it down.

The Iliad is a little bit of a struggle. So many names to follow. An unnecessary 9 year war.
The Odyssey is always great. Full of action and suspense right up until the end.

[Rachel Rothwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Read it as a backup to Bridge of Clay which quoted from it and named pets after Greek characters.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good basic retelling, but I feel something was lost somehow. Still a good read

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant for KS2

[Beetle Boys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good possibly not for children under five or six. It was very well paced and exciting.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read. An adequate summary of the original.

[Bhoomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read. But if you want to know about Greek mythology I would recommend Percy Jackson.

[Jade Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with my students. They loved it!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this on Audible and loved it.
Simplified version of 2 classic books and great narration too.
All the while I was thinking of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson adventures as well.

[Simona Kurňavová]

Very nice retelling.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah said it was ok but a bit too much of Odysseus sailing and getting shipwrecked and the gods getting angry at him. his favourite part was the end when he tricked the suitors

[Duncan V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with my kids and they absolutely adored it and begged to keep reading after every chapter