meg_elyse's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Blood, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Death, and Misogyny
Minor: War, Rape, Abandonment, Grief, Infidelity, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Child abuse
savvylit's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
The Penelopiad should be required reading right alongside The Iliad and The Odyssey. Margaret Atwood has so skillfully mirrored sparse, Homeric storytelling in this saga. However, this isn't the sort of feminist retelling that gives Penelope a fascinating or redemptive arc. Rather, just as in the original stories, Penelope spends the book being the waiting wife. That's not to say that she's at all happy to wait, though. Penelope is tragically resigned to her lonesome fate. Given her equally lonely childhood described in the earlier parts of The Penelopiad, her forced self-reliance makes sense as her default state. That's what makes this book so well done - The Penelopiad feels like an incredibly realistic portrayal of Penelope's life. In reality, people don't necessarily get to become heroes of their own stories.
The absolute best part of The Penelopiad is the chorus of maids. In the chorus-narrated sections of the book, Atwood plays with form in the most delightful ways. There's a shanty, a courtroom drama, poems, and more! It was thrilling to see what the maids would say next, and how they would say it. Furthermore, the maids' very presence in this story is key to the feminist bend of this retelling. The maids are mentioned so off-handedly in the original stories - despite the devastatingly misogynistic nature of their slaughter.
Lastly, the segments featuring Penelope speaking from the underworld reveal her innate snarky and dry sense of humor. One can almost imagine the heroine she could have been having she ever been afforded more agency when she was among the living.
The absolute best part of The Penelopiad is the chorus of maids. In the chorus-narrated sections of the book, Atwood plays with form in the most delightful ways. There's a shanty, a courtroom drama, poems, and more! It was thrilling to see what the maids would say next, and how they would say it. Furthermore, the maids' very presence in this story is key to the feminist bend of this retelling. The maids are mentioned so off-handedly in the original stories - despite the devastatingly misogynistic nature of their slaughter.
Lastly, the segments featuring Penelope speaking from the underworld reveal her innate snarky and dry sense of humor. One can almost imagine the heroine she could have been having she ever been afforded more agency when she was among the living.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Sexism, Death, Murder, and Misogyny
dracksp's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Misogyny, War, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Sexual harassment
therecoveringbookworm's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Misogyny, Classism, Rape, and Violence
kotahlotah's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Slavery, Misogyny, Violence, Abandonment, Rape, and Infidelity
annablume's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Misogyny, and Rape
teresaangelica_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
If it were just Penelope’s perspective it would’ve been a 3 star range rating. However, the addition of the 12 Hanged Maids as a narrative chorus elevated my rating and really made the entire retelling worthwhile. Definitely a unique retelling that was executed well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Slavery, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: War and Pregnancy
sarahsbooklife's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content, Gore, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual violence, War, Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Trafficking, Slavery, Sexual harassment, and Violence
anspringel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book is beautifully written, I suggest it to anyone who enjoyed reading Circe (Both writing-style and plot-wise)
Based on the title I expected to read more about Penelope’s experience, emotions and even her life after the death of Odysseus. But the only highlighted aspect was her jealousy towards Helen and how she wept all the time. Which didn’t make me feel much sympathy. Specially after reading Circe since Penelope seemed like a sage in her eyes. Also it took me awhile to realize she’s telling the tale from underworld in the modern era, so a little clarification for whoever has just started.
In general it is worth the read but it’s all about Odysseus all over again
Based on the title I expected to read more about Penelope’s experience, emotions and even her life after the death of Odysseus. But the only highlighted aspect was her jealousy towards Helen and how she wept all the time. Which didn’t make me feel much sympathy. Specially after reading Circe since Penelope seemed like a sage in her eyes. Also it took me awhile to realize she’s telling the tale from underworld in the modern era, so a little clarification for whoever has just started.
In general it is worth the read but it’s all about Odysseus all over again
Spoiler
In the end when the maids were asking for justice and she told them to leave Odysseus alone cuz he is purified made me hate her, she didn’t even bother to tell anyone about their innocence
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Rape
ellereadsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.0
I love a good myth retelling, especially when a voice is given to a woman who has been denied a voice. Margaret Atwood has always been good at giving voices to just such women. This was an emotional read. My heart goes out to Penelope. It's so easy to forget she suffered at home, alone, when you read about Odysseus traveling the world and having adventures. It's unfair to her, and this book reminds you of that and makes you feel what she felt. My only wish is that she had gotten a happy ending after all she went through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Gore, Incest, Injury/injury detail, and Kidnapping