Reviews

The Penelopiad is Margaret Atwood's retelling of Penelope's side of the story originally told in Homer's The Odyssey. There is an alternating storyline between Penelope and the twelve maids; the story is told by the characters in the afterlife reflecting on Odysseus' return back to Ithaca.

The God:
Atwood's master class in prose and writing is on display throughout this book. She alternates between Penelope's storytelling and the poetry of the twelve maids, both of which are beautifully done.

The Bad:
There is nothing truly bad about this book! Personally, I don't connect to these characters as much as other mythical characters. There is an aspect to the way that Atwood has written Penelope that, while accurate to the story, falls a little bit flat for me.

The Verdict:
Atwood is a Canadian queen!

pauf's review against another edition

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5.0

This lady can write. Funny, insightful, sarcastic. Loved it. Thanks, Margaret Atwood.

snowlilly's review against another edition

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challenging reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

franzi_nies's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective 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

1.5

kiwi_zoe's review against another edition

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informative reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

lcgerstmann's review against another edition

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3.0

This is my first book to read in "The Myths" series. It's hard to rate this book considering that I am probably biased, being a Margaret Atwood fan already and the fact that it was along time ago when I was in the 10th grade that I read the Iliad. I find amusement in Atwood's choice of myth to retell; what else should a feminist writer tackle expect for one of the biggest and most masculine heroes in all of literature...you go girl!!!. I did not recall the part of Homer's Odyssey where the 12 maids were hung but I can appreciate how the disturbing nature of their deaths haunted the author and why it became a part of this tale. I also can appreciate that the 12 maids chorus dispersed throughout the chapters of the book was in homage to the ways of the greek theatre and at times I found them darkly funny but also unnecessary. The storytelling and prose was surprisingly fluid and easy, a different style than other Atwood books. I am most of all inspired to reread Homer.

carolina_sousa's review against another edition

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4.0

Um livro rápido para se ler numa tarde?

Opinião aqui ⇩⇩⇩⇩

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMIlUWoC0KU&t=4s

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