The Odyssey
I have my own version of the soon-to-be-a-blockbuster movie
I suspect that most of those who see Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film The Odyssey will not have read Homer’s version of the tale. (Not to brag, but I’ve read it three times myself—in different translations.)
Even fewer will have read my own interpretation. (Please note the author name at the bottom of the cover.)
But many of filmgoers might prefer mine. It’s only twenty-four pages long, and it includes a map, a glossary, and an index. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, it is out of print.
It was actually pretty fun to work on this. Not only did I write the text, but I did the storyboards. In other words, I mapped out what should be illustrated in each square and then reviewed the illustrations for accuracy (as in, accurately representing the story). A couple of sample spreads are shown below.
This came out in 2014, so no AI was involved. Weirdly, while I got a credit on the cover and on the copyright page, no individual is credited as an illustrator. I suppose it was someone who was a salaried employee at the company contracted to produce the series. (I also wrote one about Perseus and Medusa for the same outfit, PowerKids Press.)
I was not on salary. In fact, I’m sure I was paid very little—probably a few hundred dollars. I wonder if Nolan would consider some kind of profit-sharing deal with me?
In any case, we have tickets for tomorrow night. Looking forward to it!
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Great story, Lynne. Made me want to read your version and I found it on Hoopla! Can’t wait to read it and your review of the movie.
I look forward to your review of the film, Lynne! For no good reason, I think of Odysseus’s return to Ithaca when I hear the haunting crescendos of the Nutcracker’s Pas de Deux, which makes no sense since he snuck back disguised as a beggar. Maybe I have it confused with Theseus’s tragic forgetfulness and not taking down his black sail. My podiatrist tells me there’s a fabulous exhibit in Amsterdam based on Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Have you seen it?