Reviews

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

lycanbreakfast's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-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? Yes

Wow that was amazing it made me feel sick reading the odyssey and knowing he killed those 12 maids for having sex with the suitors and knowing full well Odysseus had sex with goddesses the whole time. It infuriated me and this book finally explored why. Makes me hate men and Greek mythology men I know the times were so misogynistic but the stories fascinate me so much so maybe that’s why I love the feminist retellings. Probably need to read the rest of Margret art wood stuff I know I need to read the handmaiden tale but maybe Ill read her other stuff too this was a great take on Penelope and her character 

beccaboyes's review against another edition

3.0

2.5/5

A unique and refreshing take on the Odyssey, and Penelope’s retrospective outlook suits the bittersweet tone. Epic Poem retellings are a huge success nowadays, and for good reason, but unfortunately this just was nowhere near as engaging. It’s a very surface level approach to Penelope and the Maid’s perspective of the Odyssey, that simply doesn’t indulge in the plot enough. I had hoped for a silence of the girls-esque dive into the maids and how they were not at fault, but we learn no names, no distinct voices — they are a homogenous chorus — and I feel this contradicts the message of the book.

All in all, don’t regret reading it, but not sure I’d recommend it to others when there’s more out there for classics fans.

maudaerts's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

alizas_books's review against another edition

adventurous challenging sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

laliedemarest's review against another edition

challenging dark funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

a very atwoodian spin on a myth: only she can put oddysseus in a 21st century courtroom and get away with it. penelope is sarcastic and cynical and has a right to be heard. loved it. 

buckysass's review against another edition

3.0

To me, this didn’t add to what I already knew about the story/myth. I wanted more from Penelope but I do appreciate Atwood’s take. I think I would have liked to have seen her interactions with the maids more.

atlas_shruggs's review against another edition

dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I read this in one evening, on accident. I was just waiting for a friend to answer a message about playing some games, picked this up to read in the meantime and all of a sudden it's two hours later and the book is done. The writing was absolutely beautiful and I loved seeing Penelope's point of view and getting to hear her story. I was honestly more moved by the story of the twelve maids though and I found myself chocking up at their choruses. Still I didn't like how Penelope was written to hate Helen and Clytemnestra and the way that they were portrayed here, so it's a four.

annatusindben's review against another edition

5.0

if i could give this more than 5 stars i would. i’m convinced that everything margaret atwood touches turns to gold (if i’m forgiven for mixing mythical metaphors). this book is charming, heartbreaking, and comes alive in your hands. it’s a love letter to greek mythology, to storytelling, to names and reputations and relationships. margaret atwood you will always be famous

tiffxl's review against another edition

4.0

This was a very thoughtful take on Homer's Odyssey from his wife's point of view.

henry_michael03's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5