Iliad and Odyssey: FANTASTIC adventure stories for boys (and girls too?)

[SixKindsofCrisis]

MY son has read and re-read the translations/re-tellings of the Iliad and the Odyssey by Barbara Leonie Picard. They are brilliant, fantastic, especially the Iliad. Completely accessible to an eight-year-old, but not at all patronising or over simplifying. Enjoyable for an adult or older child as well.

The heroism and combat, mixed with the petulant childishness of the main characters, makes the events really gripping for a child (I only have boys so I'm not sure how much girls would respond). And the passionate friendship of Achilles and Patroclus means that the Iliad is about sensitivity and love as well as really big spears.

Want to recommend these books to high heaven. And in return, can anyone recommend a really good children's re-telling of the Indian classic legends -- esp the Mahabharata?

I like the Odyssey better.

Although I think Penelope was a bit of a schmuck. Maybe she had a bit on the side like Clytemnestra .

LOl at Penny the schmuck. I couldn't believe what spoilt amoral brats the Greek heroes were (esp Agamemnon sp?). But I really love the relationship of Achilles and Patroclus. What your children ask "What's Gay Mummy?" there is a readymade story in the Iliad to shape your answer.

When your chidren, not what

Well, it's not like Odysseus was keeping it in his pants the whole time he was away, either.

Agammenon got what he had coming. I mean, what kind of a died does that to his own daughter?

They stamp their feet and sqabble the whole time. And the gods are just as bad. THe whole of Anceint Greece needs a big naughty step.
Probably child readers enjoy hearing about adults being so childish.

They are great stories.

I'll look out for the Barbara Leonie Picard versions you mention. I thought when I saw this that it'd be a bit heavy going for children, but these sound fantastic.

Expat you make me laugh 'Penelope was a bit of a schmuck'. Wasn't she just!

I'd love to have just handed that line in for my classics homework. Job done - far quicker than sweating over a huge essay highlighting her loyalty.

AS I remember the standard translations of the Iliad, there are several long and boring passages where all of the princes in the Greek army are listed, along with how many ships, soldiers, etc they brought. Bits like this disappear in the Picard version. And what's left is a very accessible set of adventures, not heavy going at all, but not written in an annoyingly 'for children' manner.

I would also like to put in a word for the Rosemary Sutcliff versions illustrated by Alan Lee. I have read these aloud to my children and they loved them - and the illustrations are wonderful.
Would like to get hold of the Barbara Leonie Picard books too now - I love her books.

The Marcia Williams versions are lovely too - a different approach & perhaps "easier".

The cover illustrations look lovely, Bink. And I'd love to look at the Sutcliffe translation too, tho I guess that one translation per household is prob enough!
We've got quite a few other books of Greek myths atm because ds2 is going through an ancient greek phase. It's a really rich seam of brilliant stories! Before, he was obsessed with ancient Egypt -- much duller storywise, though admittedly nice pyramids etc.

This is a great book that I recommend to everyone. Interesting plot, rich description. It is very interesting to read.