Review: Get Lost, Odysseus! by Kate McMullan

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

You might think you know all about The Odyssey, but until you read Get Lost, Odysseus!, you don't know the truth. With Kate McMullan's trademark blend of humor and details from the original tale, Get Lost Odysseus! tells the Greek classic in a brand-new way. The Trojan War is over, but now Odysseus has to find his way home to Ithaca...and in typical fashion, he's angered Poseidon enough that the sea-god has decided to make his journey miserable (if not impossible). But Hades has a soft spot for the long-gone warrior, so even if he's sworn to Poseidon he won't help Odysseus directly, he might be able to pull a few strings...

MY TAKE:
I remember reading the Hit The Road, Helen! book in this series and liking it a lot. Because of that, I couldn't pass up a chance to read this book.

In Get Lost, Odysseus!, Hades tells his version of what really happened during Odysseus' ten-year voyage home.

As with the previous book, Hades is still funny and talks much like us, using modern slang and referring to characters using modern-sounding nicknames. What's great about this book is that it helps you remember the myth and the characters better. I mean, I've heard Odysseus' story before but it's only now that I can more or less confidently recall the stuff that actually occurs during Odysseus' 10-year journey. I don't recall Odysseus being kind of a braggart as he is in the book, but if he wasn't, well then, it just adds character to him.

Because the language used is modern and not out of place in schoolyards everywhere, children should have no problem understanding this book and the myth itself. If it's their first time reading the book, however, they might want to read the original as well to be able to tell which was in the original and which isn't.

Thanks to NetGalley and Stone Arch Books for the e-ARC. Publication date of Get Lost, Odysseus! is on August 1, 2014.

THE GOOD:

1. The characters are funny.
2. It makes it easier to remember the myth.
3. There's plenty of action.

THE BAD:

1. It's not always easy to tell which part is in the original myth.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

He thought he was the biggest deal since hummus met pita.

READ IT IF:

1. You are a fan of Greek myths.
2. Your child has a hard time remembering the details of Odysseus' journey.
3. You like retellings of popular stories.

RATING:


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