The Wanderings of Odysseus

Author: Rosemary Sutcliff
Publisher: Laurel-Leaf
Copyright Date: 1995
Number of Pages: 131
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Genre: Drama










Summary
This novel is a simplified version of The Odyssey. It is written in an easy to read, exciting way. In this book Odysseus, a war hero from Ithaca, is journeying back to his homeland after the Trojan war. On his journey home he encounters many obstacles and is able to surmount them. In his journeyings he encounters and defeats a cyclops and an enchantress, journeys into the land of the dead, escapes various sea perils, and defeats more than one hundred Suitors and their kinsfolk. Along the way he is helped and hindered by various Gods and Goddesses. In the end Odysseus overcomes all of his obstacles and wins back his lovely maiden. 


Personal Reaction
I think that this is a great version of The Odyssey that is fairly easy to understand. At first I thought that the characters were not developed very effectively but as I got farther into the book the story just seemed to unfold. I ended up really enjoying this book.

Potential Problems
The story may be too gory for some children as there are some fairly disturbing scenes.

Recommended to...
Boys and/or girls that enjoy stories with a great deal of fighting, adventure, and action.