Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is The Odyssey—one of the most influential stories ever told, the DNA of every hero's journey from Luke Skywalker to Katniss Everdeen. The Fagles translation is genuinely the best way in: poetic without being stuffy, accessible without being simplified.

But let's be real: it's still a 2,800-year-old epic poem. Even in Fagles' hands, there are long stretches of genealogies, repetitive epithets ('wine-dark sea' shows up 47 times), and Bronze Age pacing. A kid who devours Percy Jackson might bounce off this hard. The violence is frequent—eye-gouging, mass slaughter, hangings—and while nothing is graphic by modern standards, it's not cozy. The gender politics are ancient Greek, which means women are mostly prizes, property, or obstacles.

That said, if your kid is ready for it—intellectually curious, patient with older texts, or just really into mythology—this is genuinely enriching. The themes (what makes a hero? what is home? how do we stay human in impossible circumstances?) are timeless. And honestly, understanding Odysseus means understanding half of Western literature.

Just don't force it on a reluctant reader expecting a page-turner. This is a long game investment, not a beach read.

Age Fit

Best for strong readers 12+ who can handle archaic language and mature themes, or as a read-aloud for younger kids (10+) with context and discussion. The violence and sexual content are mild by modern standards but present. Most kids encounter this in 9th or 10th grade; reading it earlier gives them a real advantage.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

Homer's epic models perseverance, loyalty, and homecoming, but it's a Bronze Age tale where 'heroism' includes slaughtering suitors and enslaved women. Odysseus is clever and determined, but also vengeful and occasionally cruel by modern standards. The emotional core—a father trying to get home, a son searching for his father—is genuinely moving, but the values are ancient Greek, not contemporary wholesome.

Imaginative

95

One of the most imaginative works in Western literature. Cyclops, Circe turning men into pigs, the Sirens' deadly song, a descent to the underworld, six-headed monsters—it's a masterclass in mythological creativity that has inspired thousands of years of storytelling. The Fagles translation captures the poetry and energy, making the ancient world vivid and alive.

Safe

72

Common Sense Media notes 'a good deal of violence' including battle scenes and the climactic slaughter of the suitors, plus 'some implied sexual activity (though nothing graphic).' Circe and Calypso keep Odysseus as a lover, and there are references to sexual violence. Nothing is explicit or gratuitous by modern standards, but it's not a cozy read. Most concerning content is contextual rather than graphic.

Enriching

92

A foundational text of Western literature that explores themes of identity, perseverance, loyalty, cleverness over brute strength, and what it means to be human. The Fagles translation makes Homer accessible while preserving the poetry. Students will encounter this in school; reading it earlier builds literary literacy and cultural knowledge. The Bernard Knox introduction adds scholarly depth.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

The blueprint for every adventure story your kid loves—Percy Jackson, Star Wars, Harry Potter—they all steal from Homer
Odysseus wins through cleverness and cunning, not just muscles—a refreshing hero who thinks his way out of trouble
The Fagles translation is genuinely readable and poetic, making ancient Greek accessible without dumbing it down
Rich discussion fodder about loyalty, identity, what makes a hero, and how we define 'home'
They'll read this in high school anyway—getting ahead means actually understanding the references instead of just Sparknotes-ing it

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What to Watch For

Violence is frequent: Odysseus blinds the Cyclops, battles sea monsters, and the climax involves him methodically killing over 100 suitors with arrows, then hanging the 'disloyal' servant women
Sexual content is implied but present: goddesses Circe and Calypso keep Odysseus as a lover (the power dynamics are... complicated), and there are references to sexual violence
It's still epic poetry from 800 BCE—even Fagles can't make every passage riveting for a modern 12-year-old used to Marvel pacing
Ancient Greek values on display: hospitality is sacred, but so is brutal revenge; women are prizes and property more than people

Conversation Starters

"Odysseus lies constantly—to the Cyclops, to strangers, even to his own wife at first. When is lying clever strategy versus just being dishonest?"
"Penelope waits 20 years for Odysseus while he's sleeping with goddesses. Is that loyalty, love, or just what women were expected to do back then?"
"The gods mess with Odysseus constantly—Poseidon tries to drown him, Athena helps him. If the gods control everything, is Odysseus actually a hero or just their puppet?"
"Odysseus's men keep screwing up (eating the lotus, opening the wind bag, eating the sun god's cattle). Would you want to be on his crew?"
"The book starts in the middle of the story, then Odysseus tells his own adventures in flashback. Why do you think Homer structured it that way instead of going chronologically?"

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