Black Ships Before Troy - by Rosemary Sutcliff

About the Book

The first book ever to win the Kate Greenaway is available once again. Master storyteller Sutcliff brings Homer's epic poem to life while Lee's dramatic cover image hauntingly recreates the age of heroes in this introduction to the Greek classics.

Book Synopsis

Frances Lincoln is proud to reintroduce the Greenaway award-winning Black Ships Before Troy.

Here is Homer's epic poem The Iliad, brought to life by Rosemary Sutcliff with all the skill of a master storyteller. Alan Lee's dramatic cover image hauntingly recreates the age of heroes in this introduction to the Greek classics--a book that should become part of every childhood.

Review Quotes

'This stunning children's version of The Iliad by the award-winning Rosemary Sutcliff and Alan Lee was first published in 1993 and is being republished now. Its rich illustration will look familiar to The Lord of the Rings fans, as Lee was the conceptual artist for the Peter Jackson films. Featuring the stories of heroes Ajax, Achilles and Penthesilea (the Amazon Queen), this is high adventure at its best.'--Book Trust

'A welcome reissue of the acclaimed retelling by Rosemary Sutcliff, one of the most distinguished children's authors of the twentieth century. It is the perfect introduction to the classical world of the Iliad. The fabulous illustrations by Alan Lee won him the Kate Greenaway Medal, and bring this title to life.'--The Guardian Best Books Guide 2017

'A magnificent achievement...if ever a book was unputdownable, whether by an adult or child, it is this one...it bears the unmistakeable mark of a masterpiece of children's literature.'--The Times Educational Supplement

"Rosemary Sutcliff's superb retelling of the "Iliad." ...Now reissued, it captures the romance, pathos and savagery of Homer's Bronze Age epic."--The Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Rosemary Sutcliff, who passed away in 1992, was the author of many highly acclaimed historical novels for both children and adults.

Alan Lee, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, illustrated the centenary editions of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and, more recently, The Children of Hurin. He lives in South Devon, U.K.