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The Odyssey

Homer

  • Published
  • Ancient Greek epic poetry, mythology and homecoming
  • 592 pages
  • W. W. Norton
  • 2017
Published
ISBN
9780393089059

The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem traditionally attributed to Homer. After the Trojan War, Odysseus spends ten years trying to reach Ithaca while his wife Penelope and son Telemachus face a household occupied by suitors. The poem moves between the voyage and Ithaca, making homecoming, identity and the rebuilding of family as important as monsters and divine intervention.

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The Odyssey

Story background and highlights

  • An epic poem rather than a modern novel
  • Odysseus’s voyage is paired with Penelope and Telemachus in Ithaca
  • Page counts, wording and even names vary by translation and edition

Visual guide

Original editorial scenes shaped by this novel's setting, mood, and themes.

Literary · Ancient Greek epic poetry, mythology and homecoming
Story world and signature settingOriginal NovelRove editorial visualization; not publisher artwork or an official adaptation still.
Characters facing the central conflictOriginal NovelRove editorial visualization; not publisher artwork or an official adaptation still.
An emotional turning pointOriginal NovelRove editorial visualization; not publisher artwork or an official adaptation still.

Characters

Odysseus
King of Ithaca and returning warrior · House of Ithaca

A resourceful survivor whose long route home tests his judgement, identity and endurance.

Penelope
Queen of Ithaca · House of Ithaca

Odysseus’s wife, who resists the suitors and protects the household through patience and strategy.

Telemachus
Son of Odysseus and Penelope · House of Ithaca

A young man seeking news of his father and a position within a threatened household.

Athena
Divine ally · Olympian gods

The goddess who repeatedly guides and supports Odysseus and Telemachus.

Poseidon
Divine antagonist · Olympian gods

The sea god whose anger makes Odysseus’s return far more dangerous.

Character notes are limited to names and relationships disclosed by the publisher or author. They avoid unverified fan claims.

About the author

Homer

Homer is the traditional name attached to the ancient Greek epics The Iliad and The Odyssey. The exact circumstances of composition remain a matter of scholarship, so the guide does not present a modern-style author biography as settled fact.

Profile source

Other books by the author

The Odyssey: book and film

The epic and the 2026 Universal film are different works. The film is an adaptation with its own cast, structure and creative choices; use Universal’s official page for film information and an edition page for book facts.

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Book record

ISBN
9780393089059
Length
592
Publication year
2017-11-07

There is no universal page count. This guide identifies Emily Wilson’s 2017 W. W. Norton English translation (ISBN 9780393089059), listed at 592 pages; other translations and formats differ.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Odyssey about?

Odysseus is delayed by storms, divine hostility and a series of dangerous encounters after the Trojan War. In Ithaca, Penelope delays remarriage while Telemachus searches for news of his father. Their stories converge around recognition, loyalty and the recovery of the household.

Who wrote The Odyssey?

The Odyssey was written by Homer. This page links its factual claims to the publisher or author source.

Do I need to read another book first?

This is a standalone work and can be read without another book first.

How many pages is The Odyssey?

There is no universal page count. This guide identifies Emily Wilson’s 2017 W. W. Norton English translation (ISBN 9780393089059), listed at 592 pages; other translations and formats differ.

Is The Odyssey also a film or television series?

The epic and the 2026 Universal film are different works. The film is an adaptation with its own cast, structure and creative choices; use Universal’s official page for film information and an edition page for book facts.

Official adaptation page
Is The Odyssey a novel?

No. It is an ancient Greek epic poem. Modern editions may be sold like books, but describing the original work as a modern novel is inaccurate.

Which English translation should I read?

Translation choice depends on whether you want contemporary directness, a more formal register, extensive notes or performance-friendly verse. Compare a legal sample and the edition apparatus before choosing; page counts cannot be compared without naming the translator and format.

Where can I read or buy The Odyssey legally?

Use the W. W. Norton page to see the authorised print, ebook, audiobook or sample options available in your market. NovelRove does not host the book text or unauthorised downloads.

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