The Odyssey for Boys and Girls

by Alfred J. Church

The Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of everyman's journey though life. The poem centers on the Greek hero Odysseus and his long journey home after the fall of Troy. It takes Odysseus ten years to reach Ithaca after the ten-year Trojan War. Odysseus survives storm and shipwreck, the cave of the Cyclops and the isle of Circe, the lure of the Sirens' song and a trip to the Underworld, only to find his most difficult challenge at home, where treacherous suitors seek to steal his kingdom and his loyal wife, Penelope. The Odyssey is Homers' sequel to the Iliad.

Genres: Fiction, Ancient, Classics, Fantasy

98 pages, Hardcover

Published September 12, 2022

About the author

Alfred John Church (1829-1912) was an English classical scholar. He was born in London and was educated at King's College London, and Lincoln College, Oxford, he took holy orders and was an assistant-master at Merchant Taylors' School for many years. From 1880 until 1888 he was professor of Latin at University College, London. While at University College in partnership with William Jackson Brodribb, he translated Tacitus and edited Pliny's Letters (Epistulae). Church also wrote a number of stories in English re-telling of classical tales and legends for young people (Stories from Virgil, Stories from Homer, etc. ). He also wrote much Latin and English verse, and in 1908 published his Memories of Men and Books. Other works include: Stories of the Magicians (1887), The Count of the Saxon Shore; or, The Villa in Vectis (with Ruth Putnam) (1888), Heroes of Chivalry and Romance (1898), Stories of Charlemagne (1902), The Crown of Pine (1906) and With the King at Oxford (1909).

Reviews

[Jenny Wilson]

Read aloud with the kids. A good introduction to the odyssey for all of us. Hoping we’ll all be willing to tackle the real thing some day.

[Papri Soren]

If you don't have time to read the actual novel written by Homer, then this book is for you.
It's basically a summery of all the incidents that happened during Odyssey's journey towards Ithica. Simple language, very easy to understand.

[Sara Hollar]

I've never read The Odyssey until now! (Public educated here.) Pre-read for my Y7 for ancient history and I'm so glad I finally read it!

[Cadi Kiel]

Loved it...can see why it's a classic and has been remade/reimagined so many times.

[Kristiana]

What a great adventure! It reminded me very much of the Dawn Treader. Perhaps Lewis drew inspiration from the Odyssey.

[Anna Mock]

I guess I didn't write a review for this book the first time I read it. I'm sensing a theme, here. ;)

I really appreciate Church's retellings of these ancient stories. I enjoy reading them and my kids enjoy listening to them. They keep the feel of the ancient text, but put it in words that the kids can understand. I just think they are excellently done.

I enjoyed it so much again this time, that I've bought Church's Herodotus and I'm so excited to start that one with the kids after Christmas!!

[Rachel Behrends]

Thoroughly enjoyed by both myself and my eight year old. She loved the story but threatened to knock it down to four because she disapproved of Ulysses's use of trickery and deceit. It gave many opportunities for wonderful narrations and many discussions on character and virtue. Excellent rendition of the great Epic, making it approachable for children and adults alike.

[Alex V]

Not too long and some of the aspects of the book are completely removed so you cannot say that you know the tale after reading this book, but the author's choice of the essentials is included and makes you return having enjoyed it.

[Anita]

The sequel to the illiad. i was trying to read the original verson written by homer and turned to this children's version to better understand the jist of the story. It is easier to understand and a lot less work.

[Victoria]

The Odyssey a epic adventure, the author captured each character brilliant!
Awesome read :)

[Havebooks Willread]

Such a great classic--fun to revisit with my younger children.

[Adam Kinunen]

Super helpful to get up the nerve to read a grownup translation!

[Željko Filipin]

Great introduction to The Odyssey. I have read it in preparation to read The Odyssey, but when I checked my Goodreads, it said I have already read it.

[Brit Chhangur]

Read aloud with Annie and Calvin, we're all big fans!