Published: October 14, 2021
Author: Jack Mitchell
Illustrations: Jessica Benhar
Cover Design: Diane Shaw
Publisher: Abrams Books
Format: Hardback
Pages: 224
ISBN: 978-1-4197-5628-3
RRP: £13.99 (UK), $19.99 (US), $24.99 (Canada)
The synopsis;
A thrilling retelling of the Star Wars saga in the style of classic epic poetry.
“I look not to myself but to the Force, in which all things arise and fall away.”
Journey to a galaxy far, far away like never before–through lyrical verse and meter. Like the tales of Odysseus and Beowulf, the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Jyn Erso, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, and the Emperor are fraught with legendary battles, iconic heroes, fearsome warriors, sleek ships, and dangerous monsters. Beginning with Rogue One’s rebel heist on Scarif to secure the plans to the Death Star and continuing through the climax of Return of the Jedi, author Jack Mitchell uses the ancient literary form of epic poetry to put a new spin on the Star Wars saga.
Punctuated with stunning illustrations inspired by the terracotta art of Greek antiquity, The Odyssey of Star Wars: An Epic Poem presents the greatest myth of the 20th century as it would have been told nearly 3,000 years ago.
The review;
I am always impressed with the quality of a book published by Abrams Books. The finish and attention to detail of the cover and the whole bind is always of the highest quality. The illustration on the cover by Diane Shaw is simple but has a look that could be a scene from an ancient tapestry residing in a spectacular stately home. This perfectly links with the style of text you are about to experience.
I used the word experience there for good reason. For me, poetry is not a form of writing I have come to enjoy or understand over the years. I remember sitting at school trying to make lines rhyme, and flow to an imaginary beat. But the poetry of Jack Mitchell isn’t like that, and that fascinates me.
Mitchell has encompassed the final events of Rogue One and The Original Trilogy into 10 books or chapters. He splits your reading into phases or acts of the movie rather than scenes like a standard novel. Each book starts with an illustration by Jessica Benhar. These carry a similar style to the cover and help keep that feeling of age to the book. The layout of the prose is very different too. Every tenth line in each book is numbered, with each scene given a description in the left column. This gives it an almost Shakespearean screenplay vibe with how it is laid out.
The language used is at times beautiful. It is written in a style that induces feelings that you are reading a text written a long time ago which blends words we rarely use in modern day-to-day language with contemporary phrases and names from a galaxy far, far away.
I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this book and how easily I took to reading it. Do not be scared by the words poem or poetry being associated with Star Wars. Many readers are fearful that they won’t understand it, I was one of those people until I actually sat down to experience it for myself. I’m now hoping that Mitchell is in the process of writing The Prequel Trilogy in this style too.
With the holiday season almost upon us, The Odyssey of Star Wars: An Epic Poem by Jack Mitchell is sure to be a winner with many Star Wars fans. It is definitely a book I will keep at hand for some time to come. I think it will be especially comforting to read on a winter’s day, when you just want to chill in the warmth of your own living room sat by the fire in your comfy chair with your favourite beverage.
Availability;
The Odyssey of Star Wars: An Epic Poem by Jack Mitchell was published by Abrams Books on October 14, 2021. Retailing at £13.99 (UK), $19.99 (US), $24.99 (Canada), it is available from most high street bookstores and online retailers, including Amazon UK and Amazon US.
