Book Club Jan 23: Homer's Odyssey, Book I
Who is to blame for our troubles? Us or the gods?
Dear readers,
Today we had our first ever Classical Ideals Book Club on Substack. This Book Club is “No-Prep” meaning you don’t have to do a pre-reading to participate and it is free for all paying subscribers to join, listen, and re-listen on the recordings. We meet bi-weekly, every other Friday at 9:30am Dubai time. This week we covered Book I of the Odyssey and the next meeting will be on Friday, February 6th at 9:30am Dubai time when we will discuss Book II. Here is a brief summary of what we discussed today!
In our first book club session, we had a detailed discussion focused on Homer’s The Odyssey. We introduced the epic in its historical and cultural context, exploring its oral origins, poetic style, and the challenges modern readers face understanding its narrative and themes. The discussion emphasised reading the Odyssey for enjoyment and insight rather than academic obligation, appealing to readers interested in classical literature, mythology, and storytelling methods.
Key themes include the tension between fate and free will (blame between gods and men), the importance of lineage and reputation, and the distinctive mindset of the ancient Greek world compared to modern perspectives. The conversation also covers characters such as Odysseus, Telemachus, and Athena, exploring their motivations and roles.
Readers can learn to appreciate the layered storytelling, symbolic character traits, and the complex moral universe of Greek myths. This session is suitable for enthusiasts of classical literature, mythology, and book clubs seeking an engaging, reflective approach to ancient texts.
If you want to listen to the recording, consider becoming a paying subscriber!
