Odysseus: A Life

Beye PH.D., Charles Rowan

3.56

98 ratings by Goodreads

ISBN 10: 078618700X ISBN 13: 9780786187003

Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks, 2004

[This is the MP3CD audiobook format.]

[Read by Mark Bramhall]

In this highly unusual and entertaining book, acclaimed classicist Charles Beye imagines a biography of the fictional Bronze Age hero and puts his unique spin on Odysseus' strange and adventuresome existence. With wit and insight, Beye portrays the character's life, beginning as a young prince, as warrior and hero of the war with Troy, as wanderer trying to get home, as lover, and finally as king of his home, Ithaca. But Beye does more than just describe Odysseus' life. He delves into the psychological complexities of this enigmatic individual and examines his motives and character.

Beye's account reads like a modern novel, filled with fascinating analogies and references to our own era. With a distinct humor and wisdom, the author casts new light on one of the great figures of the Western imagination.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

CHARLES ROWAN BEYE is distinguished professor emeritus of classics at the City University of New York and has taught at Boston University, Stanford University, and Yale University. The author of numerous books and articles about the classics, particularly Homer and epic poetry, he divides his time between Cambridge, Massachusetts, and New York City.

From AudioFile:

Here's an interesting book that both is, and isn't, a biography in the historical sense because the main character's very existence is somewhat of a mystery. Most people have come in contact with Odysseus through Homeric works. This book expands on what we know with what is possible. Mark Bramhall has the daunting task of straddling the elusive line between fact and fiction. He can be neither too dramatic nor professorial, and, as a result, he comes out boring. Bramhall's nasal voice doesn't rise enough for the exciting fiction, and it falls and slows for the historical parts. He paces his reading well but undermines himself once he gets going by cutting off the ends of many words. R.I.G. � AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright � AudioFile, Portland, Maine

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