Prepare to embark on the final leg of an epic journey as Penguin Michael Joseph announces the release of ‘Odyssey’. The concluding volume in Stephen Fry’s globally bestselling Greek myths series publishes in September.
‘Odyssey’ recounts the homeward voyage of the mythological hero Odysseus. The range of characters in the story incorporates Agamemnon and Helen, plus Aeneas at the fall of Troy.
Managing Director Louise Moore secured the UK and Commonwealth rights for ‘Odyssey’ from Anthony Goff at David Higham, marking the culmination of Fry’s immersive exploration into the heart of Greek mythology, a subject that continues to enthral us.
As the dust settles after a decade-long conflict, the Greeks face the daunting task of returning to their homeland. Agamemnon confronts the wrath of his vengeful wife, Clytemnestra, while Odysseus, cursed by Poseidon, embarks on a perilous journey beset by monstrous creatures and capricious gods, all in pursuit of reuniting with his beloved Penelope in his homeland of Ithaca.
‘Odyssey’ promises a rich tapestry of adventure, heroism, and poignant reckonings, underscoring the profound significance of the journey home as a story that resonates with readers of all ages.
Author Stephen Fry says, “The adventures – bloody, romantic, terrifying, magical and comical – that Odysseus and his comrades undergo during the course of their journeys home from Troy are still the most thrilling and compelling I know. To retell them and follow in the wake of these extraordinary characters has been the ride of my life. Their Odyssey still speaks so powerfully about the yearning for home that all humans feel. The Greeks called the homeward journey nostos, and the pain of being away, nostalgia. I am already feeling nostalgic for wily Odysseus, Penelope, Agamemnon, Electra, Dido and all those wayward and wonderful gods.”
Louise Moore, echoing Fry’s sentiments, says, “We are honoured to be publishing ‘Odyssey’, the final volume of Stephen’s extraordinary Greek Myths series, this autumn. Over the past six years I have watched as readers of all ages have fallen in love with these incredible retellings. In this last and greatest chapter, Stephen retells what is perhaps the most human of all the tales – our yearnings for justice, for home and, of course, for love.”
‘Odyssey’ will be available in hardback and eBook formats on September 26th 2024, accompanied by an audio edition narrated by Fry himself. Readers can experience the magic of Fry’s storytelling in their preferred format.
