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thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
We’re all familiar with Odysseus’s story (maybe?), but this book gives us a new perspective—the story of Penelope during those long years of waiting for Odysseus to return.
I first read the Odyssey (and a lot of Greek mythology) back in college, and while it wasn’t my favorite one (that was the Aeneid) I did really enjoy the story. Then I read Circe a few years ago and fell in love with that perspective to the story, so I was intrigued to read this one from Penelope’s POV.
The story is actually told by the goddess Hera, though it’s focused on what happens to Penelope. I actually really liked this though, as Hera had a unique perspective and sees more than Penelope sees (being a god and all obviously). However, I do think it caused there to be distance from the other characters. For instance, it’s supposed to be Penelope’s story but I didn’t really know what she was thinking or feeling in certain moments. I didn’t feel that I knew her as a reader, so it was hard to feel any development in her as a character.
There’s not much that’s new to the story—if you’re familiar with the Odyssey, you’ll recognize the main plot points. Nothing is here to surprise you. What is new is the focus—on female characters that are often overlooked in Greek mythology, and I did appreciate that.
There are a lot of characters in this story and it was easy to get bogged down in them, especially because the plot moves very slowly. I’m not sure that audio was the best route for this story; it was easy to get distracted from.
So basically a bit of a mixed bag with this one. I liked it but didn’t love it, and it was hard not to compare it to Circe. It was really well written and had a lot of good lines in it.
Thanks to Libro.fm, Hachette Audio, and the author for my ALC!
I first read the Odyssey (and a lot of Greek mythology) back in college, and while it wasn’t my favorite one (that was the Aeneid) I did really enjoy the story. Then I read Circe a few years ago and fell in love with that perspective to the story, so I was intrigued to read this one from Penelope’s POV.
The story is actually told by the goddess Hera, though it’s focused on what happens to Penelope. I actually really liked this though, as Hera had a unique perspective and sees more than Penelope sees (being a god and all obviously). However, I do think it caused there to be distance from the other characters. For instance, it’s supposed to be Penelope’s story but I didn’t really know what she was thinking or feeling in certain moments. I didn’t feel that I knew her as a reader, so it was hard to feel any development in her as a character.
There’s not much that’s new to the story—if you’re familiar with the Odyssey, you’ll recognize the main plot points. Nothing is here to surprise you. What is new is the focus—on female characters that are often overlooked in Greek mythology, and I did appreciate that.
There are a lot of characters in this story and it was easy to get bogged down in them, especially because the plot moves very slowly. I’m not sure that audio was the best route for this story; it was easy to get distracted from.
So basically a bit of a mixed bag with this one. I liked it but didn’t love it, and it was hard not to compare it to Circe. It was really well written and had a lot of good lines in it.
Thanks to Libro.fm, Hachette Audio, and the author for my ALC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
anapthine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, War, and Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
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