I was asked; how was I introduced to The Odyssey?

As a boy I was interested in “heroic” fiction, an escape from real life, I suppose. We studied the Iliad in my Classics class at school, I was mesmerised by those imagined heroes.

A spotty little boy that could not punch his way out of a wet paper bag I wished to be Achillies, Odysseus, Diomedes or Hector.

The Odyssey followed, then Virgil, Sophocles, Aescylus (who became my favourite) Aristotle and all the Greeks.

Then the Romans and moving ever North; Beowulf. The icelandic sagas; Gunnar Hamunderson, Njal’s Saga, Leif Erikson and all the rest brought me home to Scot’s History and into the lives of Somerled MacSorley, and the early formations of the Scots kingdoms.

The Odyssey played a major part in this learning cycle. Myth, legend, fantasy, heroes and with a touch of history attached. I loved it. I am looking forward to seeing the film with an open mind.

Moonchild and other Tales by Raymond Walker, a clssic collection of short fantasy romance stories.