meenaaa's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first book my Margaret Atwood. She wrote in a very easy way. I had tried picking up The Handmaiden when I was younger and I found it very dry and couldnt read it completely. So it surprised me a little how easy and quick of a read this was. It might be a little confusing if someone doesnt have any idea about the Odyssey or any of these characters but since I knew about the Iliad and having read the Odyssey previously, this was not an issue for me.
This was the story of Penelope. She doesn't do anything heroic but you can see how smart she is and how noone cares because in ancient greece, nobody cared about women. The only thing is that reading this book will make you dislike Helen and Odyseuss. Helen is portrayed as a very bitchy character which I guess isn't very feminist but the truth is shitty people exist across both genders and there are people like Helen in the real world. Margaret makes you see how Odyseuss is a low value male which I never thought he was before. He is a beloved Tyrion type of character and I liked how she makes you see him from a feminist perspective.
This was the story of Penelope. She doesn't do anything heroic but you can see how smart she is and how noone cares because in ancient greece, nobody cared about women. The only thing is that reading this book will make you dislike Helen and Odyseuss. Helen is portrayed as a very bitchy character which I guess isn't very feminist but the truth is shitty people exist across both genders and there are people like Helen in the real world. Margaret makes you see how Odyseuss is a low value male which I never thought he was before. He is a beloved Tyrion type of character and I liked how she makes you see him from a feminist perspective.
spilt_moonlight's review against another edition
3.0
not really my cup of tea, but it certainly has its charm
juliaquinn's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kendramichele's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Told from the alternating viewpoints of Penelope, Odysseus' wife, and her twelve maids.
I most enjoyed the chorus of the maids; slaves since birth, wrongfully silenced, able to confront Penelope's assertions and refute their deceitful reputation.
Without question, Atwood is a fantastic writer, yet this felt underwhelming. Therefore, I am placing this on the "enjoyable, but not excellent" side of the mythological retelling spectrum.
I most enjoyed the chorus of the maids; slaves since birth, wrongfully silenced, able to confront Penelope's assertions and refute their deceitful reputation.
Without question, Atwood is a fantastic writer, yet this felt underwhelming. Therefore, I am placing this on the "enjoyable, but not excellent" side of the mythological retelling spectrum.
jadebrandao's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Funciona demais como uma leitura complementar suuuper interessante para quem leu a Odisseia, o livro narra a perspectiva de Penélope de sua infância ao retorno de Odisseu, 20 anos depois do início da guerra de Troia, mas também foca na vida e nas motivações das 12 escravas que sofreram um final tão trágico no clássico grego. A estrutura do livro tem diversas variações, indo de canções a julgamentos atuais, o que torna a leitura especialmente fluida.
Amei a perspectiva contemporânea que a Margaret Atwood incluiu, a crítica ao patriarcado, o protagonismo das escravas e a acidez da Penélope. Mas me incomodei bastante com a retratação da Helena, e olha que amo histórias de inveja, só que me pareceu que aqui passou bastante do tom e destoou em relação aos outros elementos.
Funciona demais como uma leitura complementar suuuper interessante para quem leu a Odisseia, o livro narra a perspectiva de Penélope de sua infância ao retorno de Odisseu, 20 anos depois do início da guerra de Troia, mas também foca na vida e nas motivações das 12 escravas que sofreram um final tão trágico no clássico grego. A estrutura do livro tem diversas variações, indo de canções a julgamentos atuais, o que torna a leitura especialmente fluida.
Amei a perspectiva contemporânea que a Margaret Atwood incluiu, a crítica ao patriarcado, o protagonismo das escravas e a acidez da Penélope. Mas me incomodei bastante com a retratação da Helena, e olha que amo histórias de inveja, só que me pareceu que aqui passou bastante do tom e destoou em relação aos outros elementos.
pia_karma's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ml03's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
agatheringoftales's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely brilliant. Most refreshing read i’ve had in a while.
A Greek Mythology retelling that doesn’t take itself too seriously yet reads as serious work. Emotional, sad, funny, and snarky all wrapped up in one.
A few highlights of the book for me: (Spoilers? Mayhaps?)
* Penelope and Helen talking shit to each other in the underworld
* Helen of Troy blueballing dead soldiers in the underworld
* Helen of Troy suggesting a Vegas girl’s night out
* Helen getting body piercings and lipsuctions
* The 21st century courtoom scene with the confused judge
* Circe. Period.
* Odysseus possibly being reincarnated as Napoleon.
The 3.7 average rating for this book is nothing short of criminal. This was a quick and solid 5 star read.
A Greek Mythology retelling that doesn’t take itself too seriously yet reads as serious work. Emotional, sad, funny, and snarky all wrapped up in one.
A few highlights of the book for me: (Spoilers? Mayhaps?)
* Penelope and Helen talking shit to each other in the underworld
* Helen of Troy blueballing dead soldiers in the underworld
* Helen of Troy suggesting a Vegas girl’s night out
* Helen getting body piercings and lipsuctions
* The 21st century courtoom scene with the confused judge
* Circe. Period.
* Odysseus possibly being reincarnated as Napoleon.
The 3.7 average rating for this book is nothing short of criminal. This was a quick and solid 5 star read.
carolinb87's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75