Waiting for Odysseus

Waiting for Odysseus
by Clemence McLaren

Waiting for Odysseus
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Book Summary Information

Author: Clemence McLaren
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-02-24
ISBN: 0689867050
Number of pages: 160
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Book Reviews of Waiting for Odysseus

Book Review: An interesting take on the Odyssey
Summary: 4 Stars

We've all heard the story of Homer's Oddessey: Greek hero Oddysseus coming back from the Trojan wars spends 10 years fighting his way back to his home on Ithaca. This book takes that story to a whole new level.

This is the Oddessey told through the eyes of the women who knew him best. First Penelope, Oddysseus' wife tells the story of how they met and fell in love. Next Circe, the sorceress who turns men into swine recounts how she fell for the great hero. Greek goddess Athena recounts how she watches after her favorite mortal, and the story ends with the accounts of Eurycleia; Oddysseus' old nurse who has raised his son in his absence and is the first to recognize him when he comes home.

This wasn't the best mythology retelling I've ever read, but it was enough to keep me interested. It is a little more appropriate for female readers (the lack of gory battle scenes may make adventure lovers loose interest), but everyone can enjoy it. Greek society was very male-oriented and women are often neglected or overlooked in many Greek myths. Check out this new version of the Odyssey from the female point of view!

Summary of Waiting for Odysseus

Four women.

Four stories.

One man's journey.

Odysseus. His epic tale has been told countless times, but rarely is it heard through the voices of the women who loved and served him. Penelope, Circe, Athena, Eurycleia: Theirs are the silent voices, the voices of longing, waiting, strength. They are the women who moved him and motivated him. And now they shed new light on his age-old journey.


Odysseus took the long way home from the Trojan War--20 years of wandering and adventuring through the islands of the Aegean Sea. The story of his voyage is one of the great tales of Western civilization--but meanwhile, what about the women who loved and yearned for this handsome, crafty hero? Homer has very little to say about how these women felt about being at the mercy of Odysseus's wanderlust. To even the score, Clemence McClaren follows her award-winning Inside the Walls of Troy with a novel that offers a backstage perspective of Odysseus's life and adventures from the voices of the four women who cared most.

First, of course, is the spectacularly faithful Penelope, who was struck with love for Odysseus at first sight, and plotted to win him from her cousin, the beautiful Helen. And then there is the sensuous witch Circe, who turns men into swine and lures Odysseus to stay, only to be caught in the trap of love herself. The virgin goddess Pallas Athene watches over her favorite with fond amusement, and his ancient nurse Eurycleia grumbles and hopes through the long years, raising Odysseus's son Telemachus and helping Penelope fend off a bevy of suitors. As any woman might expect, when the hero finally does return there is emotional baggage to be cleared away before the longed-for happy ending. An extra treat for mythology buffs, especially girls, to accompany a first reading of The Odyssey, or simply to be enjoyed as an exotic love story. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell

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