The Odyssey, by Homer, is a classic epic poem. Though the date of the first publication is unknown, the book is widely read. The Odyssey is narrated by the author Homer, who speaks in third person omn., and the main character Odysseus, who narrates Books 9-12. Homer sets the tone as celebratory , he views the time in which the story is set as glorious. Though the story is mostly written in the past tense, large portions are flashbacks; the time setting is during the Bronze Age (e. 12th century BC). The place setting, however, covers the Aegean and surrounding seas and eventually end up in Ithaca, in northwestern Greece.
    The story is about Odysseus and his trip back home from Troy, after the Trojan War. The story is how Odysseus is persuaded by the Gods to do evil. The Gods try to prevent him from going back home. The Goddesses were trying to keep him from going back home to his wife and family. But it didn't work. Meanwhile, Penelope, Odysseus' wife, was having trouble of her own. There were suitors who were certain that Odysseus wouldn't return. So they were trying to win Penelope over. I don't want to tell you the ending because i'll ruin it. So you need to read the book if you want to find out what happens.
    The Odyssey is a great book. It is written by one of the most influential authors ever. I thought the story was very intriguing. The foreshadowing themes dealt with temptation. THe story taught very good morals and dealt with situations well. One of my favorite parts in the book was when Odysseus shot an arrow through 12 axes( the kind with the openings in the middle). I thought that was so neat how anyone could do that. My least favorite part was in the beginning. This was when Odysseus was stuck on an island with "a goddess". I thought Odysseus spent too much time on the island with her after the Trojan war. He acted like she was keeping him there, when he could have gone home whenever he wanted to.  I would not change a thing about the book. Even thought the story is slow at some points, it all plays a part in the story itself. I would recommend this book to anyone, just because it really is a classic; everyone should read it sometime during their life. Even though the Odyssey is a supplementary book in high school , anyone would enjoy it. Those that would enjoy it the most, however, would most likely be people interested in mythology. The Odyssey has a lot to do with Greek mythology and Gods and Goddesses. I will say that the Odyssey is a long book, so I suggest you get started!

by: M. Dodrill and I. Barnes