In taking out mythical monsters, Percy and his companions are also taking on myths that encumber the real world: about the nature of heroism, leadership – perhaps alpha male-ism itself.
#Was odysseus a demigod full#
They’re irreverent, exciting, and crucially, full of fearsome monsters.īut rather like their teenage demigod protagonists, is it possible that there is more to these stories than meets the eye? According to one new analysis, simply to view the Percy Jackson novels as cartoonish capers through ancient folklore may be to underestimate their impact. Riordan creates fast-paced, action-heavy adventures that involve an almost video game-like romp through increasingly obscure bits of ancient mythology. Their success, most critics agree, boils down to a winning formula. His adventures – known as the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles – have sold millions of copies, generated spin-off games, graphic novels and movies, while a TV series is now also on the way. As the lead character of a series of books by the author Rick Riordan about a group of teens descended from the gods of Greek myth, Jackson has helped to kick-start an entire media franchise. Percy Jackson isn’t just a demigod: he’s one of the great success stories of contemporary children’s fiction. Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons The Percy Jackson franchise challenges the traditional, heroic virtues normally ascribed Hercules in popular culture. Detail from ‘Hercules and Cacus’ by Hendrick Goltzius.