The Odyssey (graphic novel)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hinds, G. 2010. THE ODYSSEY. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 0763642681.

PLOT SUMMARY
After the fall of Troy, Odysseus is left with the deceptively difficult task of simply making it home to his love, Penelope. When Poseidon takes notice of Odysseus after blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, he takes it upon himself to personally torment the poor hero, throwing him and his men into an epic adventure across the sea that is to last a full decade. As Odysseus determinedly attempts to make his way home, he must thwart the Poseidon’s various attempts to destroy him, escape the dreaded Sirens, and even journey through the underworld, in the ultimate test of will and the human spirit.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Homer’s Odyssey is painstakingly and accurately recreated in 250 pages of stunning, fully-painted art, in one of the most ambitious graphic novel adaptations of all time. Hinds is the master of the graphic novel epic, having played a large part in pioneering it as a form through his previous efforts, including BEOWULF and KING LEAR. That being said, his expertise is on full display, and THE ODYSSEY may be his strongest effort yet—at very least, it is his longest and most ambitious. Hinds prides himself on the accuracy of his works, declaring confidently that his ODYSSEY is “based on several different translations,” and “extremely faithful to the original text.” Despite his flair for accuracy, though, Hinds never allows the language in his graphic novels to speak over the heads of his target audience, and strikes the same balance of accessibility and faithfulness that made his Graphic Shakespeare series such a success—even for those who can’t read verse. Make no mistake, this is the most accessible the Odyssey has ever been, and is a perfect introduction for younger readers to one of the greatest stories ever told.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST starred review: “The mythic trials have seldom felt more grueling or genuine.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Hinds's work will be a welcome addition for fans of Homer's original work and for newcomers to this classic story.”
HORN BOOK starred review: “A timeless long-ago past comes alive in these images of gods and heroes, monsters and enchantresses.”

CONNECTIONS
*Hinds’ graphic novels can be used to introduce readers to many classic legends, as well as Shakespeare.
*Graphic novel adaptations of classic works by Hinds and others:
Hinds, Gareth. BEOWULF. ISBN 0763630233
Hinds, Gareth. KING LEAR. ISBN 0763643440
McDonald, John. MACBETH: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL. ISBN 1906332444
McDonald, John. ROMEO AND JULIET: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL. ISBN 1906332622