For those whose knowledge of the heroes of Ancient Greece is
limited to Homer, this delightful tale is an exhilarating account
of what life might have been like for an adolescent Odysseus, his
best chum Mentor, his future wife Penelope and the captivating
Helen of Troy. The authors acknowledge that their rollicking
adventure is loosely based on what sparse information the Odyssey
contains about the boyhood of this likeable hero. What Homer
neglects to supply, however, Yolen and Harris provide in good
measure. Odysseus is impetuous, bold, conceited, crafty and game
for anything. Life with his grandfather Autolycus is boring;
Odysseus craves adventures, and yearns to have a chance to prove
himself a real hero. But as he and Mentor set out on their voyage
home to Ithaca, it soon becomes apparent that the gods have heard
his plea. A violent storm blows up and the boys both end up
fighting for their lives. They are soon rescued by a passing ship -
but little do they know, as they clamber on board, that their
troubles are only just beginning.... This is a racy adventure story
with plenty of humour and a vibrant cast of strong characters.
Helen of Troy, a self-centred madam preoccupied with maintaining
her legendary good looks and ensnaring defenceless swains in her
coils, proves how she can rise to the challenge as the story
reaches its dramatic climax. Penelope is destined to be Odysseus's
wife, yet they are sparring partners throughout the book, each of
them unwilling to acknowledge the other's good points. Mentor is
the traditional Greek figure of a loyal friend and companion and
Odysseus himself is exasperating and endearing in equal measure. As
this unlikely quartet encounters a lecherous satyr, a multi-headed
snake, pirates and sirens, Odysseus finds out that being a hero is
a pretty demanding business. This is the first tale in the Before
They Were Heroes series, and the authors have hit upon a winning
formula: an exciting adventure story, plenty of laughs and just the
merest hint of romance. Children from 8 to 12 will love it. (Kirkus
UK)
BEFORE THEY WERE HEROES…
"Rescue? Is that what you call it? Throw a rock and then run? And I bet that's as far ahead as you'd planned." Penelope made a face. "Boys! Always thinking about heroics and never about what needs to happen day to day."
Odysseus, Prince of Ithaca, is sheltered, protected – and bored! More than anything he longs for adventure – but the Age of Heroes is over. The monsters have all been slain; the treasures have all been found; there's nothing left for Odysseus to do.
But just as Odysseus is sure that nothing interesting will ever happen to him, the gods step in and stir things up. And the trouble with real adventures is they never go the way you think they should. Pretty soon, the young prince discovers that the hardest part of being a hero is living long enough to tell the tale…
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