Description
By Jeanie Lang. Illustrated by W. Heath Robinson. Embark upon one of the greatest adventures in all literature in this enchanting retelling of the timeless epic of Homer.
In Stories from the Odyssey Told to the Children, author Jeanie Lang brings the legendary wanderings of Odysseus vividly to life for younger readers and general audiences alike. Adapted from the immortal Odyssey, this classic retelling captures all the excitement, wonder, danger, and imagination of the original epic while presenting it in a clear and engaging narrative style.
Following the fall of Troy, readers journey with Odysseus across storm-tossed seas and mysterious lands filled with monsters, enchantresses, gods, and supernatural dangers. Along the way he encounters the Cyclops Polyphemus, the sorceress Circe, the deadly Sirens, the sea-monsters Scylla and Charybdis, and countless other perils as he struggles to return home to Ithaca and his faithful wife Penelope.
Jeanie Lang’s graceful storytelling preserves the grandeur and spirit of Homer’s masterpiece while making the ancient tale approachable for modern readers. Themes of courage, perseverance, loyalty, cunning, and the longing for home run throughout the narrative, introducing readers to one of the foundational stories of Western civilization.
Adding greatly to the charm of this beloved edition are the remarkable illustrations of W. Heath Robinson, whose imaginative artwork perfectly complements the magical and heroic atmosphere of the story. His illustrations help bring the strange creatures, heroic adventures, and mythic landscapes of the ancient world vividly before the reader’s imagination.
This carefully restored reprint revives a classic of mythological storytelling for modern audiences. Ideal for students, families, lovers of Greek mythology, and collectors of illustrated classics, Stories from the Odyssey Told to the Children remains a timeless gateway into the heroic world of ancient epic.
About the author: Jeanie Lang (1875–1937) was a Scottish writer known for her retellings of mythology, folklore, and classic literature for younger readers. She authored numerous adaptations of Greek myths, medieval legends, and literary classics, helping introduce generations of children to the great stories of world literature through engaging and accessible storytelling.
About the illustrator: W. Heath Robinson (1872–1944) was a British illustrator, cartoonist, and artist renowned for his imaginative book illustrations and later for his humorous drawings of absurdly complicated mechanical inventions. He illustrated numerous classics of mythology, fairy tales, and literature during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, becoming one of Britain’s most distinctive and beloved illustrators.
Contents
Chapter I: How Odysseus Left Troyland and Sailed for His Kingdom Past the Land of the Lotus Eaters
Chapter II: How Odysseus Came to the Land of the Cyclôpes, and His Adventures There
Chapter III: How Odysseus Met with Circe
Chapter IV: How Odysseus Escaped from the Sirens, and How His Ship was Wrecked
Chapter V: How Odysseus Left the Island of Calypso
Chapter VI: How Odysseus Met with Nausicaa
Chapter VII: What Happened in Ithaca While Odysseus was Away
Chapter VIII: How Odysseus Came Home
