The Iliad / The Odyssey
Gripping listeners and readers for more than 2 700 years, The Iliad is the story of the Trojan War and Achilles. Written by an author we call Homer, both books have been translated into English many times over many years, and into numerous other languages as well. Not surprisingly there is a vast multitude of opinions and disagreements about the quality of the translations.
Why it's on the list
Both books teach readers lessons from our forgotten past – and show us how men and women should live their lives.
Both stories have a combination of everything a modern adventure thriller needs: monsters, gore, violence, scheming deities, strange lands, lust, revenge, deception, honor, and heroes.
The biggest realization you will have after reading these books? Regardless of how our culture and technology has evolved – the human condition is still the same. Readers will laugh, cry and rage at the same events. We will sympathize and empathize with everything that happens during the Trojan War and Odysseus' journey home. Basically, after 3 000 years, we are still the same.
Read if you like
Greek mythology. One of the greatest stories of all time.
Booklists having this book
Top 25 Best Pre-Tolkein Fantasy Books
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