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sarabookshelf's review against another edition
3.75
Maybe I had too high expectations, but this book just didn't hit the mark for me. I guess I really wanted to learn more about Penelope, and I feel like not much was told that we didn't already know from the original story. I liked the way the story was written, although the references to current period sometimes took me out of the story. And I appreciate the background of the maidens chapters and how it was meant to read like a traditional greek play, but I feel like the execution was not always successful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Slavery, and Murder
lochnessvhs'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? It's complicated
2.25
I am always confused when I read mythological retellings to give voice to the (usually voiceless) women in myth and then that one woman whom the author has given voice to spends a great chunk of her time talking about how awful all the OTHER women in myths are. In a brief 199 pages, Atwood manages to throw nearly every other female player in the orbit of Odysseus under the bus for seemingly no reason.
Additionally this retelling somehow failed at giving Penelope any type of personality. She truly was like the water her mother told her to be - formless and pliant.
Additionally this retelling somehow failed at giving Penelope any type of personality. She truly was like the water her mother told her to be - formless and pliant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Slavery, Murder, and Classism
lizzym126's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Violence and War
leazzz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and War
laurajeangrace's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Slavery, and Murder
americattt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
"He told me once that everyone has a hidden door, which was the way into the heart, and that it was a point of honour with him to be able to find the handles to those doors. For the heart was both key and lock, and he would could master the hearts of men and learn their secrets was well on the way to mastering the Fates and controlling the thread of his own destiny."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery
sas_ram's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't know what I expected. But after hearing so many praises about Margaret Atwood I was looking forward to it. I can't seem to like her humour though. I also detested Penelope as a main character. The plot is also flat (yes I'm aware that is based on mythology). I also didn't like the modern elements, the narration structure...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: War
hiddeninfantasy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
theportalmaster's review against another edition
medium-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
3.0
I’m torn and unsure of how I feel or what to say. Firstly it’s important to note that I really enjoyed the writing style and pace. It went smoothly. Secondly, while I love original Penelope for her smart thinking and willpower, I’m not sure how I feel about her in this book. Frankly I never saw Penelope as being faithful to her husband as most seem to rather than a woman trying to not get married again and live in peace on her own. The faithfulness was just a farce and more believable excuse for the time, imo. I thought this book would take the same path. It wasn’t the case.
Despite that, in this book we don’t see any of Penelope’s wit and wisdom (shown in the original Odyssey and claimed by this Penelope to have), but maybe that’s the point. Idk. She is the main character who acts as a side kick if that makes any sense. She just takes every order and rolls with it, even by some people she has supposed power/title-given authority on. Like letting others raise her son as they please, even when she disagrees. She never seemed to put up even the most minimalistic of fights. She always disagrees in silence, in her own head, and harbors negatives feelings about it (obviously). Oh and also, the women in this book are so belittling and hateful towards each other, sometimes for no reason whatsoever, which is why I’m not sure of my feelings. There’s not a single female cousin that you don’t hate Penelope, we get it! Same for you Helene, Odyssey’s mom, Odyssey’s nurse, all of you girls, we get it. None of you likes each other.
Last but not least, Odyssey. I have always loved his adventures but never understood why the fuck he left again so soon? Couldn’t you chill a little longer after the massacres that happened in the palace and the trauma everyone endured waiting for you? Yea yea, adventurous spirit and all that, but you got responsibilities too. Feels like this author also has some very negative feelings towards him because this book? Oh my, this book doesn’t spare him at all. Quick. Think of a bad trait. Yea, whatever crossed your mind, this book’s Odyssey probably got that LOL
Now I know this review is all over the place but I’m not submitting an assignment so be nice. Maybe I’ll rephrase it better in the near future.
Despite that, in this book we don’t see any of Penelope’s wit and wisdom (shown in the original Odyssey and claimed by this Penelope to have), but maybe that’s the point. Idk. She is the main character who acts as a side kick if that makes any sense. She just takes every order and rolls with it, even by some people she has supposed power/title-given authority on. Like letting others raise her son as they please, even when she disagrees. She never seemed to put up even the most minimalistic of fights. She always disagrees in silence, in her own head, and harbors negatives feelings about it (obviously). Oh and also, the women in this book are so belittling and hateful towards each other, sometimes for no reason whatsoever, which is why I’m not sure of my feelings. There’s not a single female cousin that you don’t hate Penelope, we get it! Same for you Helene, Odyssey’s mom, Odyssey’s nurse, all of you girls, we get it. None of you likes each other.
Last but not least, Odyssey. I have always loved his adventures but never understood why the fuck he left again so soon? Couldn’t you chill a little longer after the massacres that happened in the palace and the trauma everyone endured waiting for you? Yea yea, adventurous spirit and all that, but you got responsibilities too. Feels like this author also has some very negative feelings towards him because this book? Oh my, this book doesn’t spare him at all. Quick. Think of a bad trait. Yea, whatever crossed your mind, this book’s Odyssey probably got that LOL
Now I know this review is all over the place but I’m not submitting an assignment so be nice. Maybe I’ll rephrase it better in the near future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, and Murder
helenamichelle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and War