Tiresome bore. As George Bernard Shaw said: "The schoolboy who uses his Homer to throw at his fellow's head makes perhaps the safest and most rational use of him."

I've always wished I could read Attic Greek because I suspect Homer loses something in the translation. However, he's obviously a writer who likes a good story and a good time, and that's gotta count for something.

There has been a lot written as to whether Homer was even the author of the Iliad or the Odyssey, or if he was really blind, or for that matter if he even was a real person, or someone merely invented and his works were the collaborations of several poets. I believe that he did exist and he authored both these rich epics. Having to read them both in high school at first seemed a bit daunting to me, but after reading several pages, I was captivated by complexity of the characters and Homers ability to bring those characters and their surroundings to life. I have watched Hollywoods versions of the Iliad and their silly attempts at trying to make it into a gloomy love flick, I found the storyline to be one that was based on great friendship, deep loyalties and the tragedy of revenge.

I find it more fun reading now than when it was required.

Just two of the greatest classics to ever stand the test of time, The Odyssey and the Iliad.

Homer is the epitome of a perfect author. His stories have to be the most wonderfully written and interesting. The Odessey is truly great. I really love how he writes. Nothing is ever boring.

A great classic who is becoming slightly dated. Not many today can relate to divining the future through bird entrails.

The origin of super heroes, and an interesting obscure insight to Greek history.

When I was in school, I started reading Homer out of curiosity. I continued to read out of enjoyment.

D'oh!

mmmm..

Oh the ignorance of this country is staggering. A true classic at its best.

Excellent, read it for fun. It is fun. One of the greatest books ever written. Read the translation by Richmond Lattimore, Chicago University Press. It is more than Greek mythology, in fact Greek mythology is a minor part of it. It is a war novel, the first war novel, written in poetic verse, written before the bible. Pretty cool.

Definitely not to be missed! This stuff is great!

Homer may be an excellent source of greek mythology but why would anyone read him for fun.