An Odyssey: A Father, A Son and an Epic
Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize 2017
Format:Paperback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Published:31st May '18
Should be back in stock very soon
This narrative explores the profound relationship between a father and son as they connect through reading An Odyssey: A Father, A Son and an Epic together.
In An Odyssey: A Father, A Son and an Epic, the narrative unfolds around the unexpected journey of Jay, an eighty-one-year-old retired scientist, who enrolls in a course taught by his estranged son, Daniel. This course, centered on Homer's epic, the Odyssey, serves as a catalyst for their reconnection. As they delve into the text, both father and son find themselves reflecting on their own lives, grappling with themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The classroom becomes a space for dialogue, allowing them to explore their complex relationship and the shared experiences that have shaped them.
As the semester progresses, their exploration of the text leads to a summer adventure where they embark on a journey across the sea, retracing Odysseus's legendary path. This voyage is not just a physical journey but also a metaphorical one, as they seek to bridge the emotional distance that has grown between them. Through the lens of Homer’s work, they confront their past, share their dreams, and ultimately strive to understand one another before it’s too late.
An Odyssey is a poignant memoir that highlights the transformative power of literature and the enduring bond between a father and son. It is rich with literary references and emotional depth, inviting readers to reflect on their own familial relationships and the timeless lessons found within the classics.
‘A brilliant family memoir … At its core, it is a funny, loving portrait of a difficult but loving parent: … An Odyssey is a stellar contribution to the genre of memoirs about reading – literary analysis and the personal stories are woven together in a way that feels both artful and natural. A thoughtful book from which non-classicists will learn a great deal about Homer … A funny, loving portrait of a difficult but loving parent: a “much-turning man”’ Emily Wilson, Guardian
‘Combining an in-depth literary analysis with a personal narrative is a bold enterprise. An Odyssey could have been, in the hands of a lesser writer, grandiose. It isn’t. It is so well written that every page makes you feel more alert and alive. The brilliance of An Odyssey lies in the insightfulness of the writing, as Mendelsohn immerses himself in the Odyssey: lives it, breathes it, and presses it for meaning’ Helen Morales, TLS
‘There are a handful of books that have captured the pleasure and romance of this subject. Donna Tartt’s was one … this is another. Homer has a phrase for those who can speak bewitchingly: they have ‘winged words’. Mendelsohn has winged words’ The Times
‘The book enacts a truth that has long been central to Mendelsohn’s writing and teaching, which is that the great works of antiquity remain relevant today. His prose flits seamlessly across intervals and registers, switching from erudite exposition one minute to emotion-filled reminiscence the next. An accomplished, brave book that testifies to what is perhaps The Odyssey’s most abiding message: that intelligence has little value if it isn’t allied to love’ Observer
‘An exquisitely written book about fathers and sons, life and grief’ Mail on Sunday
‘Subtle, profoundly moving … an intricately constructed, multidimensional journey of a father and son and their travails through life and love … A book of shimmering, beautiful, dapple-skilled intelligence’ Adam Nicolson, New York Times Book Review
ISBN: 9780007545131
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 20mm
Weight: 80g
320 pages