The Adventures of Odysseus: A Graphic Novel of The Odyssey
by Nicolás Schuff, Lawrence Schimel(Translator), Mariana Ruiz Johnson(Illustrator)
3 out of 5 stars
This graphic novel for children follows the voyages of Odysseus as he tries to find his way home to his beloved wife, Penelope. Although, the original Ancient Greek story follows a different narrative structure, this adaptation tells Odysseus’ story in chronological order, starting from when he left the battle of Troy. I really liked that, because it makes it much easier for kids to follow along with the story, rather than hearing about Odysseus’ adventures through flashbacks like the original does.
I really liked the striking art style! The illustrations are full of bright colors that stand out against the black outlines and dark background. The effect is really stunning.
The artwork is also really good at illustrating the story in an appropriate manner for children. There is certainly some violence in Odysseus’ adventures, but the artwork don’t show a lot of blood and gore.
The text only gives some bare descriptions of people being killed, but doesn’t give any gruesome details. The text also skims over some of the more evil or scary parts of the original story, or completely ignores some of the darkest details and keeps the narrative lighter.
I feel like this is a good adaptation for kids to read, to introduce them to some classic literature without overwhelming them. It’s not quite appropriate for kids younger than 9 years old, and there are still some dark themes that might need some parental guidance and discussion. But if you want your kids to read Greek tragedy, and are looking for a kid-friendly adaptation, this is a really good one!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.
This book has been screened on the Screen It First website for violence, partial nudity, and some dark content involving ghosts. https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-adventures-of-odysseus-a-graphic-novel-of-the-odyssey-2595717
