Throughout time, books have opened the minds of many people. It permits people to travel to a dream world where every word captures their suspense and urges them to read on. Books that are so fascinating and vivid to the point they can not be put down are considered great. A great book is a piece of literature that allows the reader to relate their own experiences and feelings to that of the characters depicted. The Odyssey by Homer would be considered a great book; the reader can relate to Odysseus' longing for Penelope, his quest to be home with family, and the continuous wrestle with free will v. determinism.

One important theme of a great book is a character longing for love. In The Odyssey, Odysseus, after years of war and slavery to a goddess, longs to be with his wife Penelope. In...