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A review by wuthrinheights
The Odyssey by Homer
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
This long, arduous book entailing 20 years of Odysseus's life felt like it took me two decades to finish it too, despite being read within a month. My life force is depleted, I am crawling on the floor in exhaustion and insanity. An epic? I'm afraid not.
From the start, the book was unbelievably slow. From CliffsNotes, I was expecting it to jump into a crazed adventure once Odysseus was introduced. But again, it fell flat. The interesting parts of his Odyssey were briefly mentioned, while the boring parts were stretched on for so long, my eyes kept threatening to shut itself.
I felt nothing for the characters (apart from the mini cameos of Achilles/Patroclus in the Underworld), and I couldn't even root for the hero(es). Odysseus, so charming and intelligent in The Iliad, was bland, aggravating, and promiscuous in his own book. I was excited to love him but I certainly did not the longer I spent time with him.
Athena was endlessly devoted to Odysseus, fluttering by his side, encouraging him, using her godly powers to do makeovers (I told my reading buddy that there should be a drinking game because of her. To take a shot every time she did a makeover in this book). Was she trying to be Aphrodite?
I expected a book full of action and adventure, a tale of cunning and brave heroes, a love story so strong, it never wavered for decades. But instead it was dull, foolish, and disloyal. I can't even rate it 2 stars.
Truly disappointing work with an even dumber ending that felt like a high school girl putting herself in between brawling boys fighting over her attention. I am so glad I finished this so I never again have to wonder about Homer's sequel.
From the start, the book was unbelievably slow. From CliffsNotes, I was expecting it to jump into a crazed adventure once Odysseus was introduced. But again, it fell flat. The interesting parts of his Odyssey were briefly mentioned, while the boring parts were stretched on for so long, my eyes kept threatening to shut itself.
I felt nothing for the characters (apart from the mini cameos of Achilles/Patroclus in the Underworld), and I couldn't even root for the hero(es). Odysseus, so charming and intelligent in The Iliad, was bland, aggravating, and promiscuous in his own book. I was excited to love him but I certainly did not the longer I spent time with him.
Athena was endlessly devoted to Odysseus, fluttering by his side, encouraging him, using her godly powers to do makeovers (I told my reading buddy that there should be a drinking game because of her. To take a shot every time she did a makeover in this book). Was she trying to be Aphrodite?
I expected a book full of action and adventure, a tale of cunning and brave heroes, a love story so strong, it never wavered for decades. But instead it was dull, foolish, and disloyal. I can't even rate it 2 stars.
Truly disappointing work with an even dumber ending that felt like a high school girl putting herself in between brawling boys fighting over her attention. I am so glad I finished this so I never again have to wonder about Homer's sequel.