Poetry Books

If you're fascinated by legendary quests and profound storytelling, "The Odyssey" will transport you. Its lyrical portrayal of Odysseus's harrowing journey and intricate challenges is as riveting as it is insightful, weaving human struggles with mythical beings. Homer's ageless epic remains a cornerstone of Western literature, offering a narrative that is both universal and deeply personal, all while inviting readers into a world where every wave and whisper holds the weight of destiny.

Librarian note: An alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here.Gripping listeners and readers for more than 2,700 years, 'The Iliad' is the story of the Trojan War and the rage of Achilles. Combining the skills of a poet and scholar, Robert Fagles brings the energy of contemporary language to this enduring heroic epic. If 'The Iliad' is the world's greatest war story, then 'The Odyssey' is literature's greatest evocation of every man's journey through life. Here again, Fagles has performed the translator's task magnificently, giving us an Odyssey to read aloud, to savor, and to treasure for its sheer lyrical mastery. Each volume contains a superb introduction with textual and critical commentary by renowned classicist Bernard Knox.

In fierce, textured voices, the women of Ovid's Metamorphoses claim their stories and challenge the power of mythI am the home of this story. After thousands of years of other people's tellings, of all these different bridges, of words gotten wrong, I'll tell it myself.Seductresses and she-monsters, nymphs and demi-goddesses, populate the famous myths of Ovid's Metamorphoses. But what happens when the story of the chase comes in the voice of the woman fleeing her rape? When the beloved coolly returns the seducer's gaze? When tales of monstrous transfiguration are sung by those transformed? In voices both mythic and modern, Wake, Siren revisits each account of love, loss, rape, revenge, and change. It lays bare the violence that undergirds and lurks in the heart of Ovid's narratives, stories that helped build and perpetuate the distorted portrayal of women across centuries of art and literature.Drawing on the rhythms of epic poetry and alt rock, of everyday speech and folk song, of fireside whisperings and therapy sessions, Nina MacLaughlin, the acclaimed author of Hammer Head, recovers what is lost when the stories of women are told and translated by men. She breathes new life into these fraught and well-loved myths.

The Iliad is a classic that tells the story of Achilles, a brave warrior at the heart of the Trojan War. This book is ideal for those who enjoy historical fiction, action, and adventure. The powerful description of the battles and the philosophical discussions on fate and mortality are some of the unique features that make this book a must-read. Overall, The Iliad is a timeless masterpiece that will leave readers enthralled and intellectually stimulated.

Brand New Ancients is the tale of two families and their intertwining lives, set against the background of the city and braided with classical myth. Here, Tempest shows how the old myths still live on in our everyday acts of violence, bravery, sacrifice and love – and that our lives make tales no less dramatic and powerful than those of the old gods.

Kate Tempest, winner of the Ted Hughes Prize for Brand New Ancients and widely regarded as the UK's leading spoken word poet, has produced a new poem-sequence of electrifying power. Based on the myth of the blind prophet Tiresias, Hold Your Own is a riveting tale of youth and experience, sex and love, wealth and poverty, community and alienation. Walking in the forest one morning, a young man disturbs two copulating snakes - and is punished by the goddess Hera, who turns him into a woman. This is only the beginning of his journey . . . Weaving elements of classical myth, autobiography and social commentary, Tempest uses the story of the gender-switching, clairvoyant Tiresias to create four sequences of poems: 'childhood', 'manhood', 'womanhood' and 'blind profit'. The result is a rhythmically hypnotic tour de force - and a hugely ambitious leap forward for one of the UK's most talented and compelling young writers.

Widely regarded as being the earliest example of ancient Greek literature, The Iliad tells the epic story of the climax of the ten-year Trojan War. The legendary Greek warrior Achilles quarrels with Agamemnon - his Commander-in-Chief - over possession of the lovely maid Briseis and leaves the field of the battle to sulk in his tent. As a result the fortunes of the Greek army suffer a reverse and Achilles is only drawn out again onto the field of battle to face the mighty Trojan hero Hector after his friend Patroclus has been slain by Hector while wearing Achilles' armour. This is a story of war in which heroism and compassion rise above the tragedy of the conflict to the glory of the great warriors who are its inspirational and yet believable dramatis personae. It is a glorious reminder of the Mycenaean age.

Recommendation: Dive into the world of Greek mythology with the epic tales from The Odyssey, which take you through battles with deadly creatures and the alluring enchantress, Circe. The narrative is vivid and captivating, bringing the ancient world to life through its rich details and engaging characters. Recommended for those interested in Greek mythology and epic adventure stories.