Westerly Sun Column | Make This an Epic Summer

I’m usually pretty unaware of what movies are playing in the theaters, but this summer is looking to be a season of blockbusters. “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” came out last month, “Toy Story 5” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2” were recently released, and others like “Supergirl” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” are generating a lot of buzz. Still, the one I’m hearing most about is Christopher Nolan’s newest project, a star-studded adaptation of Homer’s epic: “The Odyssey.” While the library will not have access to this particular movie until it is released on DVD, we have plenty of translations, adaptations, and reimaginings of the work to keep you busy until then!

“The Odyssey” is one of the oldest surviving works of literature. Though it was originally composed in Homeric Greek, it has since been translated countless times, and in dozens of languages. Since each rendering is slightly (and sometimes substantially) different, those who want to read “The Odyssey” can choose a translation that they find preferable. Emily Wilson’s, for instance, presents the text in plain English, which many readers find more accessible. On the other hand, Richmond Lattimore’s version is more formal, closely mimicking the original Greek structure. These two, and many more, are available to check out with a library card!

In addition to translations, there are a massive number of adaptations of “The Odyssey” (this may be, in part, because it predates modern copyright laws)! “Circe” by Madeline Miller is one of the more recent and popular versions, which delves into the Greek goddess Circe’s backstory. Similarly, “Ithaca” by Claire North retells the story of Odysseus’s wife, Penelope, from the point of view of Hera. “The Penelopiad” by Margaret Atwood also retells the Odyssey from a different perspective, this time through the eyes of Penelope herself. The “Hero’s Journey” archetype that “The Odyssey” follows is also one that can be found, to some extent, in countless other books, from “The Hobbit” to “The Hunger Games”!

Greek Mythology, including “The Odyssey,” appeals just as much to kids as adults. They are basically superhero stories, full of magic, adventure, and mystical beings. That said, they’re also full of graphic violence, and other themes that my 8 year old is not quite ready for. While she will not be accompanying me to see the film, books like “The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel” by Gareth Hinds or “The Odyssey” by Gillian Cross are engaging reinterpretations intended for middle grade readers.

You’re never to young (or old) to delve into mythology, and, with your library card, there are fantastic options for everyone.

by Cassie Skobrak, Adult Services Librarian