Greek Myths: Ulysses and the Trojan War (Greek Myths: Ulysses & the Trojan War) - Hardcover

Claybourne, Anna; Khanduri, Kamini

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 079450535X ISBN 13: 9780794505356

Publisher: Usborne Pub Ltd, 1835

Synopsis

Recounts the events described in the Iliad and the Odyssey, following the Greek army's seige on Troy and Ulysses' struggle to return home.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-10Beginning with background that sets the stage for the Trojan War, rushing headlong into battle, and rounding out with Odysseuss journeys, this book covers much ground. The original story is replayed fairly accurately, following the events of the ancient texts. Confusingly, Greek forms of names are used, except for the Roman Ulysses used for Odysseus. Attempts to use Homeric devices are occasionally seen, but for the most part, the writing is chatty. The women are silly; the goddesses are portrayed as foolish girls playing games with humans, and the powerful Zeus is too easily swayed by them. The dialogue sounds like a theater production performed at Sweet Valley High, as Aphrodite purrs and Achilles announces that hes going to Go for it! Some episodes in the tale are downplayed, as when Iphigenia is turned into a deer rather than sacrificed, but others, such as the Cyclops incident, are properly gruesome. The watercolor illustrations match the casual tone of the writing, with full-page color and black-and-white ink-wash drawings generously interspersed. This looks vaguely like comic-book art, with muscular males and well-developed females, but the details are accurate and the characters are diverse in cultural representation. For a concise, well-written retelling of these stories, see Ian Strachans The Iliad (Kingfisher, 1997) and Neil Philips The Adventures of Odysseus (Orchard, 1997). Purchase this newer title only if there is high demand for these ancient tales, as it could be useful if Greek myths are a regular segment of the curriculum.Angela J. Reynolds, West Slope Community Library, Portland, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Usborne Pub Ltd
• Publication date: 1835
• ISBN 10: 079450535X
• ISBN 13: 9780794505356
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 159