The Odyssey: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

Well worth the money, must have paperback.

Bonkers !

Great deluxe edition if you love the cover and translation. But for any other reason do not buy this edition. Eventhough it is penguin deluxe, they are just paperbacks at the end of the day and the price is quite steep. The pages are a bit thin but other than that perfect edition of Odyssey.

I got the book in excellent condition and on time. This edition of the book has deckled edges (cut in an uneven manner), which should be informed to readers. I almost thought it's damaged or pirated. Otherwise a great book. This particular translation by Robert Fagles is the best one so far. If you are new to the works of Homer, start with this translation. All in all, great one. Go for it!

I’m totally at a loss of words for this beauty! This seller: Rk & company (Not Amazon Fulfilled) had quoted the price at ₹469 + ₹54 delivery charges, and initially I was a bit skeptical about it. But this turned out to be my best purchase of all times; Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition at such a low cost is definitely worth it! This edition has an amazing feel due to its French Flaps and Deckle Edges, giving it a classy look. The translation is by Robert Fagles, considered the best of all.

Absolutely delighted. These Deluxe Editions are one of a kind.

This review is for “The Odyssey” of Homer ISBN 9780140268867 Printed in the United States of America. Penguin classics deluxe edition with deckle edge. Deckle edge means that the edge of the book is intentionally cut zigzag to resemble older printing methods. Paper colour: Yellowish white, Font size: OK. Regular penguin font size. Paper quality: Very good. Contains notes at the end with a pronouncing glossary. A modest amount of genealogy is provided just before notes. The version I received has the scarlet band in the middle of the front cover slightly glossy, which was liked by me a lot. This is a major translation of the poem written by Homer. Like the original, this translation is also a poem (I must say that in the beginning lest those who do not have guts to read poetry may regret their purchase). It is the second part of Homer’s epic, in which the first part is The Iliad.

Le produit est arrivé plus vite que ce qui m'avait été annoncé ! Quelle rapidité ! Emballage très sécurisé, produit de qualité. J'avais essayé de commander ce produit dans différentes librairies parisiennes spécialisées, mais toutes m'ont répondu qui'l fallait attendre un délai minimum de trois semaines ! Amazon me l'a envoyé en moins de quatre jours ! Et pour le même prix.

Printing error, we received a copy from a bad batch with ribbed pages. Rest of the quality was good but this was unfortunate and i hope Amazon removes the bad books from the batch. Buyers beware!

Una obra excelente, traducida a un inglés accesible, no solo para poetas griegos. El papel resulta un tanto peculiar; no sé cuánto durará, pero para entonces yo ya no estaré aquí...

I picked up Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey in hardcover, and it ended up being one of the most unexpectedly engaging reading experiences I’ve had with a classic. What stands out immediately is the clarity. This version reads clean and direct without feeling stripped down or overly modernized. Wilson doesn’t try to imitate archaic English, but she also doesn’t flatten the poetry. The language has rhythm, momentum, and intention. You feel the story moving forward, which matters a lot for a narrative built on journeys, delays, and returns. The pacing is noticeably sharper than in other translations I’ve tried. Scenes that can feel dense or repetitive elsewhere—especially the wanderings or the court scenes—come through with tension and purpose. Odysseus feels less like a distant mythic figure and more like a complicated, sometimes frustrating human being. The same goes for Penelope, who comes across as far more perceptive and controlled than in many older versions. One thing I appreciated was how Wilson handles tone. She doesn’t romanticize everything. There’s a groundedness to the violence, the power dynamics, and the treatment of servants and women that feels more honest to the world the poem is coming from. It doesn’t feel like the text is being “cleaned up” or softened. Physically, the hardcover itself is well made. It has a solid weight, the binding feels durable, and the layout is easy on the eyes. The lines are spaced in a way that supports the flow of the verse rather than making it feel cramped or academic. If you’ve struggled to get through The Odyssey before, this is probably the version that will change that. And if you already know the story, this translation still offers something new—it sharpens the characters and makes the emotional undercurrents more visible without losing the epic scale. Overall, this is one of the most readable and thoughtful translations available right now. It respects the original while actually inviting you into it, which isn’t something every version manages to do.

Look fantastic. Can’t wait to read it. Look, the pages isn’t broken or error in cutting whatever. It is intend to be like that. Look ancient. A history. It’s an art. You guys din’t realise that?