Sophie Dunne
Contact Sophie Dunne by Email View all posts by Sophie Dunne July 24, 2026
Amazon If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey stormed the box office with a staggering $124 million opening weekend domestically, proving there’s still a huge appetite for ancient myths on the big screen. The film has quickly become one of the biggest cinematic events of the year, sparking renewed interest in Homer’s nearly 3,000-year-old epic and sending related books soaring up Amazon’s bestseller charts.
Bestselling ‘Odyssey’ Books
First translation by a woman ‘The Odyssey’ Translated by Emily Wilson
BUY NOW $32.82 Jump to Details Renowned translation ‘The Odyssey’ Translated by Robert Fagles
BUY NOW $9.70 Jump to Details illustrations ‘The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel’ by Gareth Hinds
BUY NOW $27.33 Jump to Details Out Aug. 4 ‘The Odyssey: The Official Screenplay’
BUY NOW $13.88 Jump to Details Who’s Who Guide ‘The Odyssey: An Illustrated Guide: A Character-by-Character Guide to the Story of Odysseus’ by Doug Metzger
BUY NOW $16.78 Jump to Details Also available ‘The Epic Women of Homer: Exploring Women’s Roles in the Iliad and Odyssey’ by Eirene S. Allen
BUY NOW $8.14 Jump to Details Illustrated boxed set ‘The Iliad & The Odyssey Boxed Set’ by Gillian Cross and Neil Packer
BUY NOW $31.12 Jump to Details View more +I caught the film on opening weekend and, having studied classical literature and devoured my fair share of Greek mythology retellings (shoutout Circe by Madeline Miller), I had a pretty solid grasp of the story. Judging by the Odyssey-inspired books climbing Amazon’s charts, though, it seems plenty of moviegoers want to learn more. Homer’s epic is anything but straightforward, especially if you’re watching the film without any background knowledge. One such person was my wife, who went in knowing next to nothing about the lore behind Homer’s epic, whispering “Who’s he?” and “What’s her backstory?” every now and then (sorry to the people sitting behind us). Luckily for her and the rest of the public, there are numerous helpful books available that explain the myth, many of which are trending online thanks to the blockbuster.
Amazon First translation by a woman ‘The Odyssey’ Translated by Emily Wilson
#7 in Amazon’s Charts$32.82
Buy Now On Amazon$18.95
Buy Now at barnes & noble$17.66 $18.95 7% off
Buy Now at bookshop.orgCurrently at No. 7 on Amazon’s bestseller charts, Emily Wilson’s translation has become one of the most talked-about modern editions of Homer’s poem.
Published in 2017, it was the first English translation of The Odyssey by a woman and has been widely rumored to have served as part of the blueprint for Christopher Nolan’s adaptation. Wilson’s contemporary approach has divided classicists, with some arguing its modern language sacrifices elements of Homer’s original poetry. Even so, its clear, direct prose makes it one of the easiest versions for first-time readers of the poem. Written in iambic pentameter while matching the original Greek line count, this edition also includes maps, notes, summaries, a pronunciation glossary, and an extensive introduction for newcomers.
Amazon Renowned translation ‘The Odyssey’ Translated by Robert Fagles
Amazon Bestseller$9.70
Buy Now on amazon$22.00
Buy Now at barnes & noble$17.71 $19.00 7% off
Buy Now at bookshop.orgThis Penguin Classics edition features an insightful introduction and commentary by renowned classicist Bernard Knox, making it an excellent choice for anyone wanting historical context alongside one of the most celebrated English translations available.
Robert Fagles’ acclaimed 1996 translation remains the gold standard for readers who want a version that balances readability with poetic grandeur. Rather than sticking rigidly to the original wording, Fagles opts for bold imagery, modern phrasing, and free-flowing verse. His opening line — “Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns” — has become iconic among modern readers.
Amazon illustrations ‘The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel’ by Gareth Hinds
Amazon #1 Bestseller$27.33
Buy Now on amazon$27.95 $29.99 7% off
Buy Now at bookshop.orgThis graphic novel highlights major events from The Odyssey while making the complex mythology far easier to follow, especially for readers intimidated by the original poem.
This bestselling graphic novel is one of the most accessible adaptations available. The comic book adaptation was written and illustrated by Gareth Hinds, who is also known for adapting other works like The Iliad and King Lear. This version is aimed at seventh- through ninth-grade-level readers. Published in May 2026, the deluxe edition has become Amazon’s No. 1 bestseller and features an upgraded cover with gold foil and painted edges.
Amazon Out Aug. 4 ‘The Odyssey: The Official Screenplay’
Amazon #1 Bestseller$13.88
Buy Now on amazon$17.95
Buy Now at barnes & noble$16.73 $17.95 7% off
Buy Now at bookshop.orgIf you loved the 2026 film and want to revisit exactly how the story was adapted for the screen, Christopher Nolan brings you The Odyssey: The Official Screenplay.
Releasing on Aug. 4 and already topping Amazon’s bestseller lists, the book contains Nolan’s complete screenplay for the mythic action epic starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. Readers interested in an even more visual companion can also look forward to James Mottram’s The World of The Odyssey: A Visual Journey, arriving on Sept. 22. Filled with exclusive photography, character profiles, key locations, cast quotes, and behind-the-scenes insights, it serves as an accessible illustrated guide to the blockbuster film.
Amazon Who’s Who Guide ‘The Odyssey: An Illustrated Guide: A Character-by-Character Guide to the Story of Odysseus’ by Doug Metzger
Amazon #1 Release$16.78
Buy Now on amazon$18.00
Buy Now at barnes & noble$16.78 $18.00 7% off
Buy Now at bookshop.orgIf Christopher Nolan’s film left you wondering who each god, monster, and mortal was, Doug Metzger’s The Odyssey: An Illustrated Guide will get you up to speed.
Currently a No. 1 new release on Amazon, the book functions as both a who’s who and what’s what guide to Homer’s epic. Organized in chronological order in which the characters appear in the poem, it introduces readers to the heroes, deities, monsters, and supporting figures while retelling the story along the way. Featuring 40 full-color illustrations, the guide pairs approachable explanations with deeper historical context, making it equally useful for complete beginners and longtime mythology enthusiasts looking for a handy reference.
Amazon Also available ‘The Epic Women of Homer: Exploring Women’s Roles in the Iliad and Odyssey’ by Eirene S. Allen
Women in The Odyssey$8.14
Buy Now on amazon$37.23 $39.95 7% off
Buy Now at bookshop.orgPublished in 2025, The Epic Women of Homer shines a spotlight on the female characters who often get overshadowed by the likes of Odysseus and Telemachus.
Christopher Nolan’s adaptation, despite being almost three hours long, still had to cut many of Homer’s storylines to fit into a feature film. A lot of the stories that were left out involved women, especially Odysseus’ encounters with Queen Arete and Princess Nausicaa in Phaeacia, where he told them about his adventures. But as classicist and former University of Cambridge professor Mary Beard noted on The Guardian’s Stateside podcast, “The collateral damage of removing the Phaeacians from the whole movie is that you lose, particularly in the case of Nausicaa, one of the most memorable, feisty female characters that there is.” Eirene S. Allen reexamines the goddesses and heroines of both the Iliad and The Odyssey, arguing they are central to the epics’ exploration of community, belonging, war, and peace — not simply supporting characters in the journeys of male heroes.
Amazon Illustrated boxed set ‘The Iliad & The Odyssey Boxed Set’ by Gillian Cross and Neil Packer
YA & Adult Readers$31.12
Buy Now On Amazon$40.99 $43.98 7% off
Buy Now at bookshop.orgIf you want the full story, this beautifully illustrated boxed set includes both of Homer’s surviving epics.
Set before The Odyssey begins, the Iliad tells the story of the final weeks of the Trojan War, focusing on the rage of Achilles and the conflict between the Greeks and Trojans. Its title comes from Ilios, the ancient Greek name for Troy. Written by Gillian Cross and illustrated by Neil Packer, these retellings feature striking artwork inspired by ancient Greek pottery while simplifying the original texts for modern readers. Together, they provide the complete journey, from the war that made Odysseus a hero to the long voyage that finally brought him home.
