Literatures grandest evocation of lifes journey at once an ageless human story & an individual test of moral endurance Homers ancient Greek epic The Odyssey" is translated by Robert Fagles with an introduction & notes by Bernard Knox in " Penguin Classics". When Robert Fagles translation of " The Iliad" was published in 1990 critics & scholars alike hailed it as a masterpiece. Here one of the great modern translators presents us with " The Odyssey" Homers best-loved poem recounting Odysseus wanderings after the Trojan War. With wit & wile the man of twists & turns meets the challenges of the sea-god Poseidon & monsters ranging from the many-headed Scylla to the cannibalistic Cyclops Polyphemus
- only to return after twenty years to a home besieged by his wife Penelopes suitors. In the myths & legends retold in this immortal poem Fagles has captured the energy of Homers original in a bold contemporary idiom. Seven greek cities claim the honour of being the birthplace of Homer (c. 8th-7th century BC) the poet to whom the composition of the " Iliad" & " Odyssey" are attributed. " The Iliad" is the oldest surviving work of Western literature but the identity
- or even the existence
- of Homer himself is a complete mystery with no reliable biographical information having survived. If you enjoyed " The Odyssey" you might like Robert Fagles translation of " The Iliad" also available in " Penguin Classics". " Wonderfully readable.. . Just the right blend of roughness & sophistication." (" Ted Hughes"). "A memorable achievement.. . Mr Fagles has been remarkably successful in finding a style that is of our time & yet timeless." (Richard Jenkyns " The New York Times Book Review"). " His translation of " The Odyssey" is his best work yet." (Garry Wills " New Yorker")."


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Shewring's superb prose translation comes as close to the spirit of the original Greek as our language will allow. ABOUT THE ...

Part of Penguins" beautiful hardback " Clothbound Classics" series designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith these delectable & collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. The epic tale of Odysseus & his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War forms one of the earliest & greatest works of Western literature. Confronted by natural & supernatural threats
- shipwrecks battles monsters & the implacable enmity of the sea-god Poseidon
- Odysseus must use his wit & native cunning if he is to reach his homeland safely & overcome the obstacles that even there await him."

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This book describes the epic journey of Odysseus the hero of Ancient Greece... After ten years of war Odysseus turns his back on Troy & sets sail for home. But his voyage takes another ten years & he must face many dangers
- Polyphemus the greedy one-eyed giant Scylla the six-headed sea monster & even the wrath of the gods themselves
- before he is reunited with his wife & son.

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Since it was first performed in Athens in the 420s BC Oedipus the King has been widely regarded as Sophocles' greatest tragedy & one of the foundation stones of western drama. Taken as a model by Aristotle in his Poetics it became a yardstick for future generations. Since the play's rediscovery in the Renaissance audiences
- including Sigmund Freud
- have found new interpretations & meanings in Sophocles' portrayal of the Theban king inexorably pursuing the truth only to discover that he has killed his father & married his mother. This translation by Don Taylor accurate yet poetic was made for a BBC TV production of the Theban Plays in 1986 which he also directed. Commentary & notes by Angie Varakis.

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John Barrington's fourth book gives an historical account of collies as companion dogs & sheepdogs & explores how we use collies today. He also touches on the evolution & bonding between mankind & their dogs. Sheepdog Stories is a historical account filled with mythological stories about collies from the Old Testament to Roman texts & Robert Burn's poetry. It also celebrates thirty years of Luath Press. ...

After many years of hardship & bravery the human race faces its greatest challenge. The sweeping war between titanic races -- a conflict that has obliterated planets extinguished entire stars exterminated whole races -- is reaching its end game. Allies become betrayers strangers become fast friends & enemies clash in a struggle that will rock the galaxy. For years the alien Klikiss robots have pretended to be humanitys friends but their seeming help" has allowed them to plant an insidious Trojan Horse throughout the Earth Defence Forces & the sudden rebellion of Earths own companies leaves millions dead & the Terran Hanseatic League defenceless. In a desperate attempt to save his own race the Ildiran Mage-Imperator Jorah is forced into a devils bargain with the evil hydrogues which will require him to ambush & destroy what remains of the human race. But the gypsy Roamer clans & the green priests of the towering worldforest -- scattered stepchildren of humanity -- have found innovative ways to fight as well as strange allies of incomprehensible power. As the climactic battle is engaged the Ildiran Solar Navy the Earth Defence Forces the Roamers green priests Klikiss robots & hydrogue warglobes collide in a fury that will destroy many & change the landscape of the Spiral Arm forever." ...

Of Human Bondage" is the first & most autobiographical of Maugham's masterpieces. It is the story of Philip Carey an orphan eager for life love & adventure. After a few months studying in Heidelberg & a brief spell in Paris as would-be artist Philip settles in London to train as a doctor. & that is where he meets Mildred the loud but irresistible waitress with whom he plunges into a formative tortured & masochistic affair which very nearly ruins him." ...

Anne Rices extraordinary new novel summons the world of fifteenth-century Rome: a city of beauty & terror of art & sin. In this extraordinary setting Toby ODare former government assassin is called upon by the angel Malchiah to solve a terrible crime of poisoning & to seek out the truth behind the presence of an earthbound restless spirit
- a diabolical dybbuk
- that is causing chaos in the city. Toby is plunged into the luscious world of the Italian Renaissance sent to charm & calm this troublesome spirit. But he soon discovers himself in the midst of dark plots & surrounded by a darker & more dangerous threat as the veil of ecclesiastical terror closes in around him. As Toby once again embarks on a powerful journey of atonement he is reconnected with his own past with matters light & dark fierce & tender with the promise of salvation & with a deeper & richer vision of love.

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The key literary figure in the pubs of post-war Fitzrovia Maclaren-Ross pulled together his dispersed energies to write two great books: the posthumously published Memoirs of the Forties" & this spectacular novel of the Depression " Of Love & Hunger"
- harsh vivid louche & slangy it deserves a permanent place alongside " Coming Up for Air" & " Hangover Square.""
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