Reviews

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

kat7890erina's review against another edition

4.0

This paired well with Circe, which I also read recently. Atwood's experimental style of writing as well as her gift for giving voices to women previously silenced make this an engaging read.

samwescott's review against another edition

5.0

I imagine feminist retellings were less common when this was published and it certainly beat the current trend of Greek myth retellings. It’s pragmatic and clear, if short and occasionally a bit cursory. I liked the Greek chorus poetry, but it was a little jarring in the audiobook with the combined voices. Overall, satisfying and thoughtful. 

sheisnovel's review against another edition

3.0

The Penelopiad attempts to tell the story that is not told in the Odyssey. Atwood structures the reading as a first person tale reflecting back on the events from 3000 years ago. The writing is structured like an oral tale, with storytelling in between, and then a chorus of singing and prose in between. It must've been fun to construct both a modern telling and traditional Greek story all at once. It was a bit ambitious, but it worked because it only took one piece of history to focus on. There is a lot of references to Helen of Troy; Atwoods rendition of Helen is enjoyable.
You don't need to know the story of The Odyssey, but it does help.
The real nugget here for me was Atwoods use of one of my favorite scholars, Karen Armstrong. She attributes much of the basis for the book to Armstrong's understanding of culture and myth. I have followed Armstrong's work for many years and she has continued to be proven as a valid voice in the space of comparative religion. I suggest anyone interested in understanding how myth and religion play into our understanding of culture to read her books.

books_of_joy's review against another edition

reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

It was interesting to read a different perspective but it was too much like a drama play written out

queenazula's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

giada_fec's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

amimafotak's review against another edition

4.0

4,5/5
Já příběh Odysey miluju a tohle moderní převyprávění z pohledu Penelopy, Odysseovy manželky čekající na jeho příjezd 20 let, z pera autorky Příběh služebnice... tohle převyprávění je prostě lábuž pro každého fanouška řecké mytologie, "experimentální literatury"

lunemoondune's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

mbenzz's review

5.0

I really enjoyed this book. It's a tongue-in-cheek take on Penelope and Odysseus's relationship and the slaughter of not just the 100+ Suitors that plagued Penelope during Odysseus's 20-year absence, but also the murders of her 12 young Maids.

If you keep in mind that this is a fun, flippant way of telling their story and don't try to take this book too seriously, then you'll really enjoy it. However, if 'The Odyssey' is the one and only true tale for you, then you may want to skip this book. I loved it, though.

lb22g10's review

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0