For Penelope, wife of Odysseus, maintaining a kingdom while her husband was off fighting the Trojan war was not a simple business. Already aggrieved that he had been lured away due to the shocking behaviour of her beautiful cousin Helen, Penelope must bring up her wayward son, face down scandalous rumours and keep over a hundred lustful, greedy and bloodthirsty suitors at bay… And then, when Odysseus finally returns and slaughters the murderous suitors, he brutally hangs Penelope's twelve beloved maids. What were his motives? And what was Penelope really up to? Critically acclaimed when it was first published as part of Canongate's Myth series, and following a very successful adaptation by the RSC, this new edition of The Penelopiad sees Margaret Atwood give Penelope a modern and witty voice to tell her side of the story, and set the record straight for good.
The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus (Myths)
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a feminist viewpoint of which Homer could nary have dreamt -- Observer
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3 Hours Unabridged
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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82 of 84 people found the following review helpful
By cambert
Format:Paperback
Atwood is a shrewd and witty writer and this book shows her at the top of her form. She transmutes her unwieldy source material - Homer's Odyssey - into a playful, honestly felt exploration of the foundations of love and family. Here the heroic becomes human and the humdrum underpinnings of legend are exposed.
Penelope chafes against posterity and how it exemplifies her as the faithful, stay-at-home wife. She's not interested in being an archetype; she's remembering the awkward in-laws, her uncouth teenage son, Odysseus' stubby legs. Homer sings hymns to Odysseus and his wily ways; Atwood shows us what it's like to be married to a dishonest man. Helen of Troy is here too (she's Penelope's cousin) and she's just like you knew she really would be - vapid, catty, only real when reflected in a man's eyes.
Running beneath the humour is the story of everything that Penelope has lost: her home, her husband, her youth, her friends, her life, her truth. Our narrator is a weary shade, viewing the world from the dim, grey realm of Hades. But having left behind life, she's also left behind the illusions that go with it. Dead she might be but her vision is clear, her humour is bone-dry, and her story is full-blooded.
If you've read the Odyssey, this novel will mean all the more to you. If you haven't, it will inspire you to search out 3,000 year-old Greek epic poetry. Either way, treasure this book.
Penelope chafes against posterity and how it exemplifies her as the faithful, stay-at-home wife. She's not interested in being an archetype; she's remembering the awkward in-laws, her uncouth teenage son, Odysseus' stubby legs. Homer sings hymns to Odysseus and his wily ways; Atwood shows us what it's like to be married to a dishonest man. Helen of Troy is here too (she's Penelope's cousin) and she's just like you knew she really would be - vapid, catty, only real when reflected in a man's eyes.
Running beneath the humour is the story of everything that Penelope has lost: her home, her husband, her youth, her friends, her life, her truth. Our narrator is a weary shade, viewing the world from the dim, grey realm of Hades. But having left behind life, she's also left behind the illusions that go with it. Dead she might be but her vision is clear, her humour is bone-dry, and her story is full-blooded.
If you've read the Odyssey, this novel will mean all the more to you. If you haven't, it will inspire you to search out 3,000 year-old Greek epic poetry. Either way, treasure this book.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Kittykat
Format:Paperback
A new twist to the tale of Odysseus for me, in the point of view of his clever and sly wife. About what she got up to whilst he was away and how she ran the kingdom and brought up their son. A light easy read, great for a holiday on the beach. The book is written in a subtle gossipy style and as long as you don't expect to be drawn into Odysseus epic journey you should enjoy this bok.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A knowledge of the classics is not essential for understanding or enjoying Atwood's adaptation of the Penelope myth. It's clear that the author thoroughly enjoyed herself, and Penelope radiates a humanity that is often missing from some of Atwood's earlier creations. This book is full of wit and humour as well as poetry. Some of the images will stay with you long after you've finished the book.
Try this for a thoughtful but entertaining read.
Try this for a thoughtful but entertaining read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Margaret Attwood is always interesting and thought-provoking and in this book she comes up with a very convincing retelling of the myth of the virtuous Penelope waiting for her... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. JE Barff
2.0 out of 5 stars
I hated this book...
Although it was interesting to find out the background to Penelope's story I didn't actually like the woman who was revealed nor did I like Attwood's style which I thought was... Read more
Published 1 month ago by zizzie
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great continuation of the old tradition.
This is a retelling of the old Trojan War story of Penelope, the most faithful wife in ancient myth. Read more
Published 1 month ago by IvyFlorence
4.0 out of 5 stars
A breeze
This is a light read which adds a little muscle to the bones of Homer's famous character, Odysseus, from his wife's perspective. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Milo di Thernan
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not a great story
I usually love all of the Greek mythology based books, however I struggled to finish this and it was really boring.
Published 5 months ago by Joanne
5.0 out of 5 stars
a great read
a great read and modern take on such a wonderful story. wish it was longer and was sad for it to end. more please!
Published 5 months ago by C.A.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Idea - Lazy Writing
Retelling the story from the perspective of Penelope and the Maids is an excellent idea, but this rendition is irksome and lazy. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Paul Martin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Poor Penelope...what a rascal Odysseus is...
I really enjoyed this. Margaret Atwood always writes combining humour, human values and sound common sense with a basically feminist perspective, and the result is always... Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2011 by Mary Ann
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dazzling retelling of a familar tale
The Penelopiad sees Margaret Atwood retelling parts of The Iliad and The Odyssey from the point of view of Odysseus' wife Penelope and the twelve maids that he slaughtered. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2011 by Jimbo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Odysseus re-read
I've read and studied the Odyssey several times, although a number of years ago now, and have enjoyed (and sometimes rolled my eyes at) to many conflicting views of Penelope's... Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2011 by R. G. Brizi
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