The Adventures of Odysseus

New editions of The Odyssey appear with almost metronomic regularity on the market, and the happy paradox that almost all of them make good, fresh reading is testimony to the vernal power of this saga to inspire successive generations of retellers. Lupton and Morden are master bards who have themselves wandered the world reciting this version of the story. They adhere to its classical structure: after a prologue vividly outlining the Judgement of Paris and the Trojan War, a destitute Odysseus, granted asylum at the court of King Alcinous, recounts the catastrophes that have ruined him and killed all of his companions. He then sets off to reclaim Ithaca, knowing that even should he succeed, a longer and lonelier journey awaits him. This is conveyed in a lucid vernacular prose with some poetic cadences, uncompromising in its reflection of the gloom, grief and violence of the original. However, the tale is also illuminated by vivid episodes of enchantment and tenderness. All of this is captured in the paintings by Christina Balit that surround the text, spacious visions of seascapes, islands, and the calamitous minglings of humans and immortals, beautifully depicted in watercolour, gouache and golden ink.

This is a well designed book presenting a wonderful combination of contemporary talents and timeless storytelling.