From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8?As with Black Ships Before Troy (Delacorte, 1993), Sutcliff's retelling of The Illiad, the story of The Odyssey is presented in an accessible, enjoyable format. A brief prologue sets the scene after the fall of Troy. The chapters, each of which tells of a challenge Odysseus faced, are not episodic, but rather come together as a continuing story. Sutcliff creates an intimate portrait of a man whose greatest desire is to return to his wife and home, despite great temptations. He is portrayed as a conquering hero-god, but with a touch of sadness. The reteller uses storytelling techniques to engage readers and the language and rhythm of a bard to maintain the story's flow. The detailed watercolor illustrations are dreamlike and soft-edged. They set the mood for the essence of particular episodes and display the horrors of battle where appropriate. Reading the first book would clarify Odysseus's entire tale, but is not necessary to the enjoyment of this volume. The pronunciation guide and map are helpful. Readers will enjoy this classic adventure, and they may be inspired to explore Greek mythology further.?Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. A companion to
Black Ships before Troy (1993), this handsome, large-size volume retells Homer's
Odyssey with thrilling drama. There's no clashing climax like the
Iliad's Wooden Horse, but the story of the hero's long years of wandering in the wilderness has the mythic power of everyone's search for home. Several episodes are just right for reading aloud, from the blinding of the Cyclops and his howl of revenge to the quiet courage of Penelope trying to hold off the suitors. Lee's watercolor paintings in shades of blue and brown capture the furious action of the wild ocean and the rocky shore, as in the double-page spread of the ship caught between Scylla and Charybdis. Several pictures also focus on lonely people wrenched apart. Sutcliff's narrative style is not as taut as in
Black Ships, but in the best parts, she fuses epic grandeur with a direct simplicity that will bring the universal story home.
Hazel Rochman