Everything Old (and Classic) is New Again

Sometimes the best stories are the oldest stories. Such is the case with Zachary Mason's new collection The Lost Books of the Odyssey, a re-imagined version of Homer's original. Mason, a computer scientist and first time novelist, has hit the mark with this group of stories that take Odysseus from the shores of Ithaka to Ilium, and back again. Rather than wed his new tales too closely to the plot lines of Homer, Mason instead wanders wider as Odysseus makes his way to war and home again.
Mason's best bits come in selections like The Iliad of Odysseus, where the hero, instead of the fully formed epic manifestation of Homer's twin books, animated by equal parts hubris and heroism, shrinks from conflict. Instead of taking up his damaged men to make for Ithaka, this suspect character begins by wondering "whether all men are cowards like me." In quick succession, this Odysseus sneaks through the carnage of the battlefield, stealing away into the night in shame and anonymity. Not the quintessential character of high school classrooms, this new Odysseus is rather a more human configuration.
In Mason's rendering, the story also radiates in widely different arcs. There is no clearly defined point of reference. The collection rather shows Odysseus, whether running toward a challenge or withering in the face of adversity, as a still evolving character, quite a feat for a creation more than 3,000 years old.

Reflection

I've been home a week now, and am still reeling from the experience of my trip to Ukraine. I returned to school on Monday and was made aware that while I have been changed for the better by my travels and by meeting many new friends, my students did not change and they are basically the people I left back on March 15. This was somewhat of a let down, as I wanted everyone to change with me. This is of course impossible and I must simply revel in the wonder of what I've seen and what I've learned. I must acknowlege the power of the exchange I was a part of and work to keep that wonder and power alive in my own work. The week at home has solidified for me how important such opportunities are.
The final couple days in Ukraine were a marvel, as Halyna, Ievgeniia, and Anastashia and I traveled by train from Lutsk to Kiev, where we wandered the city for hours on a beautiful spring day.
Kiev was incredible. The architecture and the colors knocked me out. Everywhere we turned there were monuments, both new structures dedicated to the relatively recent independence of Ukraine, as well as those more historic, a result of Kiev being one of the oldest cities in Europe.
We saw Independence Square, as well as Saint Sophia's Cathedral, built in the eleventh century. We shopped for souvenirs and ate a hearty lunch. Through it all, the best part was sharing it with new friends. Halyna and Ievgeniia were wonderful hosts through my entire stay; they were there when I arrived and they were there to see me off at Borispol Airport. Throughout they helped me with the language, shared their families and friends, and made certain I was always where I needed to be and that I was comfortable.
Anastashia is hoping to be an exchange student in the U.S. this next school year, and I will be anxious to hear positive news about this.
Still can't believe it is over.