In this remarkable book Zachary Mason 're-imagines' The Odyssey of Homer from a number of different viewpoints. Forty-four retellings of the greatest story ever told. It kept me spellbound for hours.
Tackling small chunks of the original story, Mason sometimes introduces a new twist, or changes the narrator, alters the books internal logic or remixes the original with fascinating results.
So you have a version in which Odysseus finds himself bored on Ithaka so sets off to retrace his steps, revisiting the scenes of his adventures.
In another, The Iliad is revealed to be an elaborate set of rules for playing chess.
Or the suggestion that Paris was, in fact, another name for Death and is was the Grim Reaper himself who stole Helen, leading Menelaus to declare war on Hades rather than Troy.
And one chapter is narrated by the cyclops Polyphemus, offering a slightly different take on the version of legend.
The Lost Books of the Odyssey is not, I would suggest, a book to sit down and read from start to finish. It isn't intended as a linear narrative - many of the chapters contradict themselves - and is, instead, a volume to dip into over a couple of weeks. Although, be warned, it is hard to leave it alone for very long.
This is a short work of epic imagination. It will, I am sure, prove a delight to anyone who has ever read and loved Homer's two epic poems, although those unfamiliar with them may well wonder what all the fuss is about. They are very much favourites of mine and it is high praise indeed when I say that I will be shelving this book alongside them.
I confidently predict that The Lost Books of the Odyssey will feature prominently in the book of the year round ups, but don't wait till then, treat yourself now.Get more detail about
The Lost Books of The Odyssey: A Novel.
