Argos: The Story of Odysseus as Told by His Loyal Dog by Ralph Hardy Review

Title: Argos: The Story of Odysseus as Told by His Loyal Dog
Author: Ralph Hardy
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Middle Grade, Retelling
Release Date: May 31st 2016
Source: NightOwl Reviews
Purchase: Amazon

From a compelling new voice in middle grade comes a reimagination of The Odyssey told from the point of view of Odysseus’s loyal dog—a thrilling tale of loyalty, determination, and adventure.

For twenty years, the great hero Odysseus struggles to return to Ithaka. After ten years beneath the walls of Troy, he begins the long journey back home. He defeats monsters. He outsmarts the Cyclops. He battles the gods. He struggles to survive and do whatever it takes to reunite with his family.

And what of that family—his devoted wife, Penelope; his young son, Telemachos; his dog, Argos? For those twenty years, they wait, unsure if they will ever see Odysseus again. But Argos has found a way to track his master. Any animal who sets foot or wing on Ithaka brings him news of Odysseus’s voyage—and hope that one day his master will return. Meanwhile, Argos watches over his master’s family and protects them from the dangers that surround a throne without its king.

I absolutely loved this book. I will admit at first it was strange reading from a dogs POV, but once I started getting further into the book the more and more I enjoyed it. I actually found myself looking up some of the gods online to see who they were.

The characters were highly likable and Argos was one character you couldn't help falling in love with. He had such devotion and loyalty to his master Odysseus, even after the 20+ years he had been gone. The tales he learned from fellow animals such as birds and sea turtles was incredible. 

I highly recommend this book to ages 8 and up.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Ralph Hardy graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in English and received his MFA from Columbia College, Chicago. He now lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with his wife and children and a dog named Harvey, who is nothing like Argos. He is the author of The Cheetah Diaries, Lefty, and a number of short stories.

Find Ralph: Website | Facebook