Absolutely brilliant adaptation. It does leave out the bulk of the Telemachiad, and though I missed it, it didn't feel like a gap at all. Some will scoff at the modern idiomatic phrases, I'm sure, but I think it's just brilliant. ( )

Armitage's "Odyssey" is funny, exciting, much shorter than Homer's original, but most importantly--it's accessible to anyone, regardless of your exposure to the classic Greek epic poems. Originally written as a radio play, "The Odyssey, A Dramatic Retelling" brings the reader into the wonderful adventure tale of Odysseus's ten year struggle to reach his home, his wife, and his son after a decade fighting in the Trojan war. Filled with humor, kindness, tragedy, passion and reunion, this delightful book will leave any reader with an appreciation of the classic story, and maybe even a desire to read the original poem. Highly recommended! ( )

This dramatisation of the Homeric story of the prolonged homeward journey of Odysseus after the seige of Troy was commissioned by the BBC and broadcast in 2004. It is published by Faber as Poetry, which given the author seems fair enough, although, in truth, the reader would hardly notice that it was. The tale is written as dialogue, sometimes with Odysseus relating the story to Nausicaa and the other Phaeacians, sometimes as a dramatisation of a particular part of the adventure. The language is 21st C. British English with a distinct hint of Armitage's Yorkshire roots (e.g. the word ' mithered' is used).

All the familiar episodes from the voyage are covered and the story moves along at a cracking pace. With no descriptive writing, someone (Is there anyone?) new to the myth might feel they were missing something but the format works and is well suited to be read aloud.

In his preface, Armitage stated that, although written as a radio script it was always at the back of his mind that it was "Not just something to be performed, but something to read. A book, in fact." ( )