Reviews

Penelope und die zwölf Mägde: Roman by Margaret Atwood

vegetablemathematics's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape and Murder

aj4field's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No

3.75

varbles's review against another edition

3.0

Very enjoyable, and a quick read, but it was only alright. I enjoyed the alternative spin this gives the Odyssey, but otherwise, I don't this was Atwood's best.

popothereader's review against another edition

dark reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

This was such an easy read in the sense that the writing style makes it understandable and quick to go through. I also like the kind of feminist lens put on the story of Penelope. I already knew the myth from the Odyssey but we don’t get to see much of her in it so I appreciate this take. If I could make 1 critique is that, even though Penelope was a multilayered character all the other characters felt very flat which made me not care about them and it’s a bit of a shame (especially the maids who are supposed to play a big part in the ending of the book)

manura's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

2.5

trinasaurus33's review against another edition

4.0

I am a sucker for retellings of Greek myths, and this one did not disappoint. I love the not-so-subtle feminist undertones inserted in the story. It is beautifully written, and the different types of scenes (courtroom, choir, etc.) makes it even more interesting.

lobo1tomia's review against another edition

4.0

Penelopé életét ugye az Odüsszeiából ismerjük. A hűséges feleség, aki várja haza harcoló, majd kalandozó férjét. Ugyanakkor megfelelő párja a furfangos hősnek, hiszen kicselezi a kérőket. Csakhogy van a mítosznak néhány homályos része. Például, hogy miért is akasztotta fel Odüsszeusz és fia azt a bizonyos 12 szolgálólányt.

A regényben Penelopé meséli el életét, közben pedig mint valami görög kórus meg-megszólalnak a szolgálólányok is, különböző stílusokban a saját szemszögükből téve hozzá a történethez, amelynek amúgy is rengeteg változata terjengett, s Homérosz név alatt csak egyet hoztak össze. Felvonulnak a regékből, mondákból, Iliászból, Odüsszeiából ismert alakok, van akik csak épphogy említést érdemelnek, de van akik komolyan beleszólnak a történet folyásába, mint Helené, aki Penelopé unokanővéreként jelenik meg, s aki még holtában is igyekszik kihasználni, hogy az ismert világ legszebb nőjének tartották.

Részletesen: http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2007/07/04/margaret_atwood_penelopeia/

wavymayvy's review against another edition

reflective sad fast-paced

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

2.5

sarahcwalton's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? No

3.75

eososray's review against another edition

4.0

Perfect timing, I've just finished reading The Odyssey and this book obviously pairs well with that. I really liked Atwood's interpretation of Penelope and the twelve maids, it was a nice change from the obviously malecentric Odyssey story.