Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic poem The Odyssey hits theaters later this month. Demand always increases for book versions when film adaptations are released, and we expect the same for this one. With The Odyssey, though, you have so many choices!
Nolan has cited Emily Wilson's acclaimed translation as a major source of inspiration. She's also the first woman to translate it into English. You could also decide to read Robert Fagles' translation, long considered the classic version.
To experience The Odyssey by listening to it, as the ancient Greeks did, the audiobook is available in Hoopla.
If you've already read the Odyssey but are still in the mood for Greek (and Roman and Norse) gods, you can check out this list of mythological retellings. There's no shortage of adaptations of The Odyssey for younger readers, which are especially great for kids that love the Percy Jackson series and pore over the stories in D'Aulaire's book of Greek Myths.
Creative retellings of Homer's poem abound! Ilium, and its sequel Olympos, by Dan Simmons are set in the future...and on Mars. (They're also based on the Iliad, not The Odyssey, but they're a fun take on a classic, so we're including them.) Margaret Atwood gives us Penelope's side of the story in The Penelopiad.
The stars of The Odyssey are no stranger to film adaptations of books. Matt Damon starred in The Martian, based on Andy Weir's novel by the same name. Lupita Nyong'o starred in Black Panther and Tom Holland in multiple Spider-man movies.
So tell us - which retelling of a classic myth is your favorite? And do you plan to read The Odyssey before you see the movie, or after?
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