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A review by sheisnovel
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
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.
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.