THE EIGHTH ARROW Odysseus in the Underworld by J. AUGUSTINE WETTA, O.S.B.

Description

Condemned to burn in the eighth circle of Dante’s Hell, Odysseus, the legendary thief and liar of Homer’s ODYSSEY and ILIAD, decides he is going to break out. His adventure begins with a prayer to Athena Parthenos, who appears to him bearing gifts: his armor, his famous bow, a mysterious leather pouch, and seven unusual arrows. She then sends him on a quest through the Underworld along with Diomedes, his friend from the Trojan War who had been sharing in his eternal punishment. To complete their escape, the goddess warns them, they must recover their squandered honor and learn to use “the eighth arrow”. THE EIGHTH ARROW is a thoroughly entertaining jailbreak story. Full of allusions to great works of old, it is also gently educational, and as such it can be read as a companion to Dante’s INFERNO  and the works of Homer. Paper.