The Odyssey
If the Iliad invented the war epic, the Odyssey invented everything else: the adventure story, the homecoming narrative, the novel's interest in cleverness over brute strength.
“Tell me, O Muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy.”
Why It Matters
If the Iliad invented the war epic, the Odyssey invented everything else: the adventure story, the homecoming narrative, the novel's interest in cleverness over brute strength. Its narrative innovations — in medias res, multiple timelines, embedded flashbacks — were techniques novelists would not rediscover for two thousand years. Every quest story since is following Odysseus home.
The 
Take
Personal reviewThe great ancient work of the western canon for a reason. In medias res awesome tactic. Odysseus is a great main character being a great fighter, but more known for his wiles and words. The trials are great, and the final murder of the suitors is great. Ending with laertes and Telemachus together is great. The dog recognizing him is great little bit. Emphasis on hospitality is interesting for a book so old. Journey to underworld is awesome storytelling. I hear it was the model for afterlife that Dante took which formed the modern concept
Notable Quotes
“My name is Nobody: mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nobody.”
“Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man.”