The Lost Books of the Odyssey

Sometimes when you see the title of the book, it can actually make the reader think, “I’m not going to like this one”… for me seeing the title The Lost Books of the Odyssey, I thought more incomprehensible Greek gibberish…  ahhh not so!   So thank you to Zachary Mason, the author, who recounts Odysseus return to Ithaca over a ten year period.  All of the characters we remember from our Classics class om high school are back in the fold.  Mason suggests in his forward that the book contains “44 concise variations on Odysseus’ story that omit stock epic formulae in favor of honing a single trope or image down to an extreme of clarity” and to a tee, Mason writes with clarity and language that provides the readers vivid and descriptive images to get really enthralled.  I couldn’t put this one down.  I thought I remembered the stories, but with as much unknown from the Greek stories than known, Mason fills in the gaps.  No surprise this is an award winning book.  My favorite chapter in the book, The Bacchae, shares the story of the ship docking on an island and all of the men, except their leader, went into the wild of the night with the women whom lived on the island they landed at after the rugged battle.  The leader stayed in the bed of Circe, while his men were all killed by the drinking of the poison while in the arms of their female murderers.  The leader did not die, as Circe, the female leader, wanted to keep him for herself and continue their love making.  This chapter captures so perfectly the Greek “conundrum,” ecstasy and misery simultaneously!  The book is broken into 46 very short stories all connected together.  The language is easy to interpret and flows well.  One of the best “Greek reads” I can ever remember.  Nice job Mr. Mason.  For students of ancient culture, a must add to your list!