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Authors

Tessa McMillan

Keywords

Excellent, Intermediate, Young Adult, Ralph Hardy, Odysseus, Greek Mythology, Dogs, Adventure

Document Type

Book Review

Abstract

It has been many years since Odysseus left Ithaca for the Trojan War. Odysseus’s dog, Argos, maintains his promise to protect Odysseus’s family during his absence. But times are becoming desperate for Penelope—Odysseus’s wife—and Telemachos—their son. Greedy men, calling themselves suitors, take advantage of Penelope’s hospitality on a daily basis. These suitors try to pressure Penelope into admitting Odysseus is dead so she can remarry one of them. Since many suitors see young Telemachos as a threat, they plot to kill him. His life is repeatedly spared thanks to Argos’s keen intellect and boundless strength. During these troubling times, any word about Odysseus reinforces Argos’s loyalty to his master. Argos charges all seafaring birds to come to him with any information. Through these birds, Argos hears the adventures and tragedies of Odysseus’s journey. After twenty years, Odysseus comes home and thanks Argos for fulfilling his duty. Argos passes away and his narrative is taken up by Leander, Argos’s son. Leander joins Telemachos and Odysseus to defeat the suitors and win back their home.

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