Novel:
Percy Jackson & the Olympians:
The Lightning Thief
PLOT:
In New York City, Zeus and
Poseidon meet at the top of the Empire State Building, where Zeus reveals that
his master lightning bolt has been stolen and accuses Poseidon's demigod son,
Percy Jackson, of the theft. Poseidon reminds him that Percy is unaware of his
true identity, but Zeus declares that unless lightning bolt is returned to
Mount Olympus before the next summer solstice, war will be waged.
Percy is a sixteen-year-old
teenager who appears to be dyslexic, but has a unique ability to stay
underwater for a long time. While on a school trip to the local museum, Percy
is attacked by a Fury disguised as his substitute teacher, who demands the
lightning bolt. Percy's best friend, Grover Underwood, and his Latin teacher,
Mr. Brunner — both of whom appear disabled — help Percy and scare off the Fury.
Upon learning of the Fury's reason for the attack, Mr. Brunner gives Percy a
pen, tells him it is a powerful weapon, and has Grover take Percy and his
mother Sally to Camp Half-Blood, leaving behind Sally's lazy husband Gabe
Ugliano. However, the three are attacked by a minotaur that appears to kill
Sally, who is unable to enter the camp. Grover tells Percy to use the pen, and
Percy discovers that it is a sword, which he uses to fight the minotaur,
without initial success. Percy kills the minotaur with its own horn, then
faints from shock.
Three days later, Percy wakes up
in the camp. He learns that he is the son of Poseidon, that Grover is a
disguised satyr and his protector, and that Mr. Brunner is the centaur Chiron,
also initially disguised. Chiron suggests that Percy go to Mount Olympus to
convince Zeus of his innocence. Percy begins training to use his demigod
powers, which include water manipulation and using water to heal. He also meets
other demigods, including Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena; and Luke
Castellan, son of Hermes. After assisting in a team exercise, Percy is visited
by a fiery apparition of his uncle Hades, who reveals that Sally is with him in
the Underworld and that he will return her safely if Percy hands over the
lightning bolt. Defying Chiron's orders, Percy decides to go to the Underworld,
joined by Grover and Annabeth. They visit Luke, who gives them a map showing
the location of three pearls belonging to Hades' wife, Persephone, which they
can use to escape the Underworld. They are also given an old shield and a pair
of winged sneakers Luke stole from his father.
The trio heads out, locating the
first pearl at an old garden center but encountering Medusa, who tries to kill
them until decapitated by Percy; her head is taken with them for later use.
They locate the second pearl in the Parthenon in Nashville; Percy uses the
winged shoes to take it from a statue of Athena. However, they are then
confronted by the Hydra, which Grover petrifies using Medusa's head. The third
pearl is located at the Lotus Casino in Las Vegas, where the three eat lotus
flowers and forget their reason for being there. They stay in the casino for
five days until Poseidon speaks in Percy's mind, helping Percy return to his
senses. Percy frees Grover and Annabeth from the effects of the flowers and
they flee, discovering that the casino is run by the Lotus-Eaters. With all
three pearls in their possession, Percy, Grover, and Annabeth head into the
Underworld, the portal to which is located in Hollywood.
In the Underworld, they meet Hades
and Persephone. Though Percy tells Hades that he does not have the lightning
bolt, Hades finds it hidden inside Luke's shield, revealing that Luke is the
lightning thief. Persephone knocks Hades out with the lightning bolt to get
back at him for imprisoning her for all eternity and hands the bolt to Percy.
However, because they only have three pearls, Grover remains with Persephone to
allow Percy's mother to leave. Percy, Annabeth, and Sally teleport to the
Empire State Building but are attacked by Luke, who wants to destroy Mount
Olympus to secure the demigods' place as the new rulers of the gods. After a
fight across Manhattan, Percy defeats Luke and returns the lightning bolt to
Zeus, who forgives Percy and allows Poseidon to briefly speak with his son. The
film ends with Percy and Annabeth reuniting with Grover, who has grown horns
(though only small ones), meaning he is a senior protector, and returning to
the camp to continue their training.
In a post-credits scene, Gabe is
being kicked out of Sally's house. He finds a note from Percy warning him not
to open the fridge. Angrily ignoring it, he opens the fridge only to be
petrified by Medusa's head.
CRITICISM:
Territorialism
is all about ownership and possession, in the novel Percy Jackson and the
lightning thief the Greek Gods and Goddesses had shown their power to rule over
their own territories in Mount Olympus, with Zeus as the God of sky, Poseidon
as the God of seas, Hermes God of Thief, Hephaestus God of Fire, Athena God of
intelligence and together with other Greek Gods.
I love the
concept of these books. I love the Greek
gods brought into the modern day, and I’d really love to see more of how
they’re fitting in with modernity.
Hermes has sneakers with wings and Ares rides a really tough motorcycle,
for example. I think it would be
fantastic to find out, say, that Apollo (god of music) is completely obsessed
with iTunes and thinks Rock Band is pretty awesome, or that Aphrodite (goddess
of love) is actually running eHarmony.
How fun would that be?
Percy is good as
a character; I can’t say he made a huge impression on me. Maybe there’s too many slightly-screw-up
characters who find themselves as heroes.
I’m not criticizing him as a character…but the one who I feel fonder
towards is Grover, his satyr (half-goat) friend. I think he’s more unique, as an
environmentally-conscious satyr who really likes food, especially burritos and
aluminum cans. I also rather cherish the
mental image of Grover careening through the air wearing Hermes’ out-of-control
sneakers.
One criticism I
do have of the book is that the quest felt a bit random. Percy, Grover and their friend Annabeth set
out, and along the way encounter several adventures, but they seem to just sort
of bump into these adventures. I would
have liked to feel that there was a reason they were encountering the villains
they were meeting, or going to the places they were reaching.
The Book was
simple yet written with a great style. It was quick paced, Characters were
lovable and relatable. These are mixed with into a piece of history, full of
action in itself dashed with a little pinch of humor. Though it may seem a little predictable to the
more mature audiences like me, still the action will sweep you along from one
exciting scene to the next.
The story values
friendship, responsibility, trust, honor.
It gives us the idea that no matter how hard and unpredictable life may
seem, perseverance is still the best option plus trusting your friends and
everything will fall into their right place.
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