Book review of The Iliad for Boys and Girls: With Classic Paintings and Illustrations

by Alfred J. Church (Author)

Updated at: 18/01/2025

Experience the timeless grandeur of Homer's Iliad with this beautifully illustrated edition, perfect for young readers. Rev. Alfred J. Church's masterful retelling, first published in 1907, captures the epic's thrilling heart: the rage of Achilles, the heroism of Hector, the beauty of Helen, and the devastating consequences of the Trojan War. This unabridged version features 30 classic paintings and illustrations, bringing the legendary heroes and gods to life. Explore themes of loyalty, honor, and revenge as you journey through a story that has captivated readers for centuries, a foundational text of Western literature, now accessible and engaging for a new generation.

The Iliad for Boys and Girls: With Classic Paintings and Illustrations

4.5 / 80 ratings

Review The Iliad for Boys and Girls

This edition of The Iliad for Boys and Girls is a delightful surprise, exceeding my expectations in several ways. Initially, I was drawn to it as a stepping stone for my ten-year-old, who, surprisingly, was already tackling the "grown-up" Iliad, albeit with some struggle. This version provides a fantastic entry point, presenting Homer's epic in a way that's genuinely kid-friendly without feeling overly simplistic or condescending.

Forget the dense, poetic structure of the original; this is a flowing narrative, broken into manageable chapters and paragraphs, perfectly suited to the reading habits of young readers. It's exactly the kind of straightforward text they're accustomed to in their other books, making the epic tale accessible and engaging. I'm not going to delve into a detailed literary analysis of the translation itself; plenty of others have already done so. My focus is on the overall experience of reading this book.

And that experience is superb. The hardcover is stunning – a real beauty to behold, a pleasure to unbox. The absence of a dust jacket isn’t a drawback; it adds to the book’s charming, old-fashioned feel. The heavy, high-quality paper is a joy to touch, the pages are bright and easy on the eyes (no yellowing or dark text here), and the font size is large and comfortable – even someone who normally needs reading glasses might find they can easily manage this text without them. The book’s size is perfect for little hands, and the chapter lengths are ideal for maintaining momentum without overwhelming the reader.

Frankly, the only downside is the price, which I found a bit steep. However, that concern is largely overshadowed by the book's overall quality. It’s the kind of book you want to keep and treasure, a potential heirloom to pass down through generations. The illustrations, thoughtfully chosen and integrated throughout, enhance the reading experience without being distracting. They're a perfect visual complement to the already engaging text, bringing the ancient world to life for younger readers.

While some reviews mention the omission of certain subplots, I feel this streamlining is a strength for this adaptation. It maintains the core narrative's excitement without getting bogged down in details that might lose a younger audience. The book successfully captures the essence of the epic, focusing on the key characters and events that are essential to understanding the story's central themes of loyalty, honor, revenge, and compassion. It successfully sparks interest in mythology, an area that's often overlooked in modern media. It's a far cry from some of the overly simplified children's books that can sometimes patronize young readers. This edition finds a perfect balance between accessibility and faithfulness to the spirit of Homer's masterpiece. It's a gem, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.