THE ODYSSEY, a graphic novel by Gareth Hinds

Bibliography

Hinds, Gareth.  2010.  The Odyssey.  Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.  ISBN: 978-0-7636-4268-6

Plot Summary

Gareth Hinds recreates the ancient tale of Odysseus’ twenty-year journey home after the Trojan War retold in graphic novel format. 

Critical Analysis

Many professionals in the field of publishing, education, and/or library science can have a tendency to disregard graphic novels as less worthy than traditional forms of literature.  To those naysayers I would say, please read this book.  The Odyssey is the ancient tale of Odysseus, Greek hero of the Trojan War and, to his great misfortune, blasphemer of Poseidon.  Beset with multiple obstacles and years of delay, Odysseus fights to make his way home as men back in his homeland of Ithaca scheme to usurp his throne and family.  

Hinds relates this adventurous fantasy tale with a keen eye to keeping the feel of Homer’s original.  There is no 21^st century sound to his dialogue.  He cites particular translators of Homer’s original Greek-language tale for their “balance of poetry and readability” (unnumbered back material notes).  In the graphic novel format, dialogue is crucial, and Hinds has kept Homer’s voice while relating a story that is more easily understood for younger readers.  For example, when one of the Ithacan suitors for Penelope’s hand brushes off the pleas of Odysseus disguised as a beggar, he replies sharply, “Good gods, what evil wind blew in this pest?  Get away from me!” (180).  This is certainly not the colloquial language of modern day life and is more authentic to the stylistic feel of the original text.

With rich colors and vibrant movement, Hinds’ watercolor illustrations bring Odysseus’ tale to life in a breathtaking way.  Some of the more spectacular scenes include his capture and subsequent defeat of Polyphemus (using fiery reds and oranges and arranged in a tight, oppressive way), and his journey to the Land of the Dead (depicted with ashen grays and withered apparitions).  But his artistry is equally displayed in more poignant scenes, such as Odysseus’ reunion with his wife and son that even brings Athena to tears.  And, as stated in his notes, Hinds has gone to great lengths to paint as realistic a portrait as he could of Bronze Age Greek life with realistic depictions of homes, weapons, dress, and landscape.

Oftentimes, adolescent readers can become overwhelmed in the elaborate language and poetic arrangements of classical literature and drama.  What makes this written art so beautiful is also that which makes it more difficult for the modern reader to understand.  Younger readers can sometimes misinterpret plot development hiding within the spectacular art of language.  I don’t believe that our original literary pieces should be abandoned.  But these classic pieces possess literary motifs, archetypes, and traditions with which all students should be familiar, and it would be a shame for them to miss out on this when such wonderful adaptations exist today.

Awards and Review Excerpts 

• Booklist: “The mythic trials have seldom felt more grueling or genuine…affording a chance to see how an archetypal story can function so powerfully at both the realistic and the stylized ends of the artistic spectrum.”
• Kirkus: “Don’t confuse this hefty, respectful adaptation with some of the other recent ones; this one holds nothing back and is proudly, grittily realistic rather than cheerfully cartoonish. Big, bold, beautiful.
• School Library Journal: “This adaptation goes far above and beyond the ‘highlights’ coverage that other versions…provide.”

Connections

• In groups, have students choose another great character from literature and have them create their own graphic novel adaptation of his/her story.  Their products can be as simple or as detailed in terms of their artwork as they choose as long as the story is complete.  Students could choose to do an abridged version of a whole story or just one character’s experience within a story (for example, just the story of Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Dill’s experience from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird). 
• Have students read excerpts from Homer’s original version of The Odyssey while reading this adaptation.  Have students compare and contrast the two versions.
• Create a Reader’s Theater depicting either the defeat of the cyclops (lots of action to portray) or the trap laid by Circe (complete with men turning into animals).

Personal Reflections

This was my first reading of a graphic novel of this sort, and I was very impressed.  Before this my only real experience with this medium was from childhood Archie comic books!  My local library was woefully devoid of much choice in this medium, so I purchased this copy myself and am happy to now have it in my personal library.  I hope to read some of Hinds’ Shakespeare graphic novel adaptations this summer.