The Odyssey

The Odyssey of Homer: A Modern English Translation: Volume 1: Books 1–4, The Telemachy (Easy to Read Prose)

About the book

In Ithaca, Odysseus has been missing for years. His house is overrun by arrogant suitors who waste his wealth, pressure his wife Penelope to remarry, and threaten the future of his son. Guided by Athena, Telemachus begins to grow from a helpless young man into someone ready to seek the truth about his father. His journey takes him from Ithaca to Pylos and then to Sparta, where he hears stories of Troy, the Greek heroes, and the long shadow of Odysseus’ absence.

This translation is written in clear, readable modern English prose while staying close to the meaning of the original Greek. It is not a loose retelling, summary, or adaptation. The aim is to preserve Homer’s story fully and accurately, while making it easy to follow for modern readers, students, and anyone coming to the Odyssey for the first time.

Inside this volume are:

Book 1 — Athena’s Visit to Telemachus
Book 2 — The Assembly and the Departure
Book 3 — Telemachus in Pylos
Book 4 — Telemachus in Sparta
A faithful and accessible beginning to one of the greatest works of world literature.

Author Homer

Book familyGreat Texts Translated to Modern English

CollectionThe Odyssey

Available formatsKindle · Paperback

Choose your Amazon store

Amazon US Amazon UK

Recommended books

The Odyssey of Homer: A Modern English Translation: Volume 4: Books 13–16, The Return to Ithaca (Easy to Read Prose)

The Odyssey of Homer: A Modern English Translation: Volume 6: Books 21–24, The Bow, the Return, and the Peace of Ithaca (Easy to Read Prose)

The Odyssey of Homer: A Modern English Translation: Volume 5: Books 17–20, The Beggar in the Palace (Easy to Read Prose)

The Odyssey of Homer: A Modern English Translation: Volume 2: Books 5–8, From Calypso to the Phaeacians (Easy to Read Prose)