Parents' Guide to

The Odyssey

By Barbara Schultz, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Essential, epic poem of Greek gods, monsters, and heroes.

Book Homer Adventure 1998
The Odyssey Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 16+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Happytraveler555
Happytraveler555 Adult
January 7, 2021
age 15+

A Masterpiece which is best understood with a guide who has read it

It's fashionable to have students read certain things because "they don't want to read anyway, so let's give them something they'll like." What happens is that they may read, and may feel good about it, but it's a useless exercise. What have they learned about life, themselves, and other people? The Odyssey is ancient; so use a good modern translation. Any student should be minimally aware of the story line; any good high school student going to college should know it in depth. It's not meant to be ploughed through: a student should be given information about it, and then a teacher, preferably, should point out and discuss salient points. It's about coming home. What is "home" what is our deepest longing? The women here are powerful and interesting: Athena and Penelope? Excellent intelligent women who are good and decent models for girls, but for boys, too. Not to be familiar with this book is to miss out on really important aspects of being human. Then, ideally, it should be picked up again and read as an adult. How much better is the Odyssey now?

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Matt1827
Matt1827 Adult
October 17, 2018
age 18+

inappropriate

really inappropriate content and hard to understand what the language is saying

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When THE ODYSSEY begins, the heroic warrior, Odysseus, has been missing for 10 years, and dozens of greedy suitors are camped out in his house in Ithaca, courting his wife, Penelope, eating his meat and drinking his wine. Odysseus' son, Telemakhos wants to take his place as head of the household, but he is too young and inexperienced to rule over the suitors and he doesn't know if his father is coming home. With the help of the goddess Athena (who disguises herself as a family friend), Telemakhos embarks on a journey of discovery where he meets people who have known his father, and learns a great deal about Odysseus and about himself. Meanwhile, Odysseus is still trying to sail home from the wars; he must overcome numerous supernatural obstacles before he can reclaim his home and family.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (11 ):

The Odyssey isn't just an important book, it's also a very exciting book and a beautiful work of literature. As the popular Percy Jackson series for younger readers attests, kids are fascinated by Greek tales of gods, monsters, and heroes, and The Odyssey is the original Olympian tale. The epic hero, Odysseus, overcomes supernatural creatures and all kinds of magic, thanks to gods warring among themselves. The prose of The Odyssey, while possibly daunting for middle school and younger kids, is worth appreciating with its beautiful, rhythmically repeated images: "grey-eyed Athena," dawn spreading her "fingertips of rose," etc.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Telemakhos' journey is important. What does he learn about his father and about himself?

  • How do the Greek gods compare with modern ideas of god and religion?

  • What other books have you read that involve a long, arduous journey? Are any of them similar to The Odyssey?

  • Why do you think The Odyssey is required reading for so many high school students?

Book Details

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