The Odyssey (Special Edition) - Hardcover

by Homer (Author), Samuel Butler (Translator)

Discover the story of Homer's The Odyssey with this exquisite edition from Union Square & Co.'s Signature Gilded Editions series! The stunning Odyssey special edition features sprayed edges, color end pages, a built-in ribbon bookmark, and embossed foil cover. The beautiful design and attention to detail set this special edition book apart, whether you're reading for the first time or building a library of your favorite classic literature books.

Ten years have passed since the fall of Troy. The surviving Greek warriors who destroyed that city have returned home. All except Odysseus, whose wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, await him. Claiming that Odysseus is dead, a host of suitors have taken up residence in his home, eating up his wealth and trying to persuade Penelope to marry one of them. Penelope steadfastly refuses. Odysseus, in fact, is alive. He has spent seven years as a captive of the nymph Calypso, and the gods finally take pity on him and persuade her to set him free. When he resumes his journey home, the sea god Poseidon sends a great storm to destroy his raft. Exhausted and near death, Odysseus and his men wash up on an island shore. They are delayed by Polyphemus the Cyclops, the Lotus-eaters, the Sirens, the sorceress Circe, and other strange creatures.

Homer's The Odyssey, an epic poem from the eighth century BC, is not just a cornerstone of ancient Greek literature but also a deeply relevant work that addresses themes of perseverance, loyalty, and the challenges of returning home. Odysseus's long journey home after the Trojan War mirrors modern issues such as the plight of refugees and veterans reintegrating into society after long periods of conflict. His struggles and triumphs offer insights into human resilience and the quest for identity, themes that continue to resonate in today's global narrative of migration, displacement, and cultural integration.

Author Biography

Homer was an ancient Greek author and poet who was reputed to have written the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are foundational works of Greek literature.