The Odyssey

The answer probably lies in Homer's story-telling skills. Unlike any other poet, Homer manages to keep us interested in the plot whilst arousing our curiosity: we cannot wait to find out what happens next. We hold our breath when Ulysses passes life-endangering tests, eagerly awaiting dramatic tension to resolve; we share his despair and fear for his life when he encounters monstrous enemies in human and super-human shape. His story is set in the exotic world of ancient Greece — and yet, it is familiar enough for us to share in the protagonist's hopes and fears.

The author of this illuminating book, Jonas Grethlein, has widely published on the art of story-telling in antiquity. Apart from that, he is a well-versed and competent guide to the enchanted world of Ulysses and himself a brilliant writer.