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pinksl0thslippers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, and War
readerette's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I found some of the literary devices confusing, like mixing in the maids singing and performing. However, the whole concept is quite creative and compelling, and I love stories that take the viewpoints of supporting characters. It reminds me of Madeline Miller's works (Circe, Song of Achilles), but more abstract, and perhaps darker. It also leaves holes, still, in the story of Penelope and Odysseus--this is not a book of answers, but one of questioning what is "known", of offering another way of thinking about Odysseus and Penelope and her maids, or maybe even more than one way. I was never quite certain I was getting the whole truth from Penelope, or if she as a character knew the whole truth, herself. It made it difficult to put the book down!
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Death, Violence, Sexism, and Slavery
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Rape
drp_moonlight's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The most important factor of this book is the style. It is written from the perspective of a Penelope already long dead. It does not shy away from stating that it is coming from a 21st century. Penelope's narrative is interspersed with the Maids' perspectives, giving the illusion of a classic play.
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Animal death
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