Publication and Description

Published in 1954, John Cowper Powys called this novel, a "long romance about Odysseus in his extreme old age, hoisting sail once more from Ithaca".

As usual there is a large cast of human characters but Powys also gives life and speech to inanimates such as a stone pillar, a wooden club, and an olive shoot.

Key Scenes and Themes

The descent to the drowned world of Atlantis towards the end of the novel is memorably described, indeed, Powys himself called it "the best part of the book".

Many of Powys's themes, such as the benefits of matriarchy, the wickedness of priests, and the evils of modern science which condones vivisection are given full rein in this odd but compelling work.