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This
ancient and enduring novel of a man's journey has been retranslated by a
master himself, Robert Fitzgerald. This edition, perhaps the closest
to the original, echoes the forgotten lore of the ancient Greeks.
The epic poem tells the story of Odysseus, the warrior-king of the island
of Ithaka. After defeating the Trojans in the battle of Troy he
sails for home but the gods are not pleased. For ten years he is
battered and beaten by the immortals, wondering if he will ever see his
beautiful wife Penelope and his nearly-grown son, Telemakhos.
Unfortunately, life for the rest of his family has not been easy
either. For the ten years Odysseus was at Troy, waging war, Penelope
was left alone in her longing. But now that the other warriors have
returned, and Odysseus remains away, the princes and nobles of Ithaka have
come to court the beautiful queen, hoping she will marry one of
them. For the ten more years that Odysseus is away, these men remain
at the King's home, and eat his meat. Telemakhos has known these men
since he was ten years old, when they first arrived after the end of the
war. Now he has grown, and wishes to see the disgraceful men out of
his house. As Telemakhos makes a name for himself, seeking news of his
father abroad, and Penelope keeps the suitors at bay with tricks and lies,
Odysseus battles the immortal gods on his way home. This heroic
story reminds everyone of their own dreams to see the beauty of the
ancient times once again.
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