This story takes us into the mind of Saskia, a precocious 12-year-old on familiar terms with such historical and literary greats as Odysseus, Marco Polo, and C.S. Forester's Captain Hornblower. This is the best new book I've read in a long time. Saskia is a true female hero for the 90's. The parallels with the ODYSSEY are easy to spot and amusing. You may even be compelled (as I was) to read some of the source material ! Enthralling, brilliant ... reminds us that books can still express some things better than movies.