Odyssey: The Greek Myths Reimagined

Odyssey by Stephen Fry is a brilliant retelling of the epic journey of Odysseus after the Trojan War. The book focuses on his long and perilous return to Ithaca, where he faces countless obstacles, from vengeful gods to mythical creatures. Stephen Fry brings a refreshing and engaging voice to this timeless tale, blending humor, wit, and vivid storytelling that makes the narrative accessible even to modern readers. Beyond Odysseus’s own struggles, the book also explores the fate of other significant characters from the Trojan saga, offering a wider perspective on the aftermath of the war. The adventures are packed with excitement, tragedy, and clever twists, making it both entertaining and insightful. However, to fully appreciate the show more richness of this story, it is best to read Fry’s previous works in the series, as they provide the essential background and depth that enrich Odysseus’s legendary voyage home. show less

A really lovely and excellent conclusion to the four-part retelling of the Greek myths from the beginning of all things through the slaying of the suitors by Odysseus and Telemachus. I know the books are really published beautifully, but I cannot interact with these four books in any other way but the neo-Homeric medium of listening to Stephen Fry's outstanding and amazing narration. I can listen over and over again to tales enthralling and engrossing. Odyssey does a splendid job of weaving together the post-Troy adventures of Aeneas, Odysseus, Telemachus, Agamemnon, and Orestes. Here we see the transition from myth/legend to the mists of historical record--and from divine intervention and miraculous doings to the beginnings of a world show more ruled by law, logic, treaty, and reason.

I can't recommend this, and its three predecessors, highly enough. If you find these stories enduring and of value, you cannot do better. show less

Possibly the end of the series (unless he continues with the Aenid). In a long tradition (Robert Graves and others) of retelling the ancient myths, Fry has finally arrived at the end of the ancient greek core mythology. As with previous entries in the series, it's a mix of irreverent retelling, commenting on the story itself, giving some historical background of the events and places and criticism of the text itself. As such it serves both as an introduction to, and overview of the texts themselves. The downside is that you're never really lost in the story itself.

The latest in Stephen Fry's series of books retelling Greek mythology is just as much of a delight as previous entries. His retelling of The Odyssey is as adept as other translations I've read and he recounts the tales of the happenings after the Trojan War beautifully. Of course, his narration of the audiobook is excellent and I again appreciate his ability to create distinct voices for such a wide cast of characters. If you've enjoyed the previous books or just like Greek myths and Stephen Fry, I highly recommend this read.

I found this book very readable and Fry is a very witty author. Again the story is broken up into a very manageable pattern. You can follow the individual stories of Odysseus, Aeneas, Agammemnon and Menelaeus when they all depart Troy and how their subsequent journies intersect across the story of Homer's Odyssey.

This is an excellent way to tell the tale to a new audience and to reference film and tv shows in the index and of course Joyce's own Ulysses, a tribute in itself and to Dublin.

The footnotes and endnotes are again very well referenced and add to the story and link back easily to Fry's previous works interspaced with humour.

This was great. Fry's comments are good (and I think modest here). He notices that Atreus features in God of War - which beforehand I hoped to see. Read other people's reviews but also: just get these four books. You won't regret it.

Na het internationale succes van Mythos, Helden en Troje vertelt Stephen Fry in dit laatste deel van zijn serie over de Griekse mythologie met zichtbaar schrijfplezier en zijn kenmerkende onderkoelde humor het verhaal van een van de beroemdste werken uit de klassieke oudheid: Homeros’ Odyssee. We volgen Odysseus nadat hij de gevallen stad Troje heeft verlaten. Tien lange jaren is hij onderweg naar huis, naar zijn vrouw Penelope op het eiland Ithaka. Onderweg vecht hij tegen monsters, moet hij verleidingen van godinnen weerstaan en lijdt hij onder de vloek van Poseidon. Lukt het hem om zijn weg terug te vinden?