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sweether's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
macaronis_telegraph's review
reflective
sad
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
2.5
librarianinthewoods's review
4.0
Compelling and well written. I picked up the play by accident but enjoyed reading it as such. I will likely read the novella as well. In this play we get a retelling of parts of the Odyssey from Penelope’s perspective - the wife of Odysseus. This was an interesting read after recently finishing Circe by Madeline Miller. It wasn’t Penelope who commanded my attention and pity but the twelve young maids (slaves really) that were hanged. There is the great tragedy of the story and Atwood does a good job showing us some of the female perspective in these old myths.
alexandra114's review
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stuffymeowkins's review
4.0
Fascinating use of theatre and presentation of a story - especially considering its context.
doctorknitter's review
3.0
I've read a few retelling of Greek mythology from a female perspective, and this was the worst one despite being from a popular author I recognized. If I hadn't know this was written by a woman, I'd have been sure it was a man's misguided way of trying to make a female character and failing. From constantly bashing Helen of Troy to making penelope a sad weeping pathetic wife, I was really shocked at how this was done. It's still an interesting story, and it is very well written, and it may have been a conscious choice to depict the characters in this way, but I didn't enjoy reading it becsuse of that. I've come to expect retellings of stories from a female perspective to have complex and strong females learning and growing and having identities outside their husband's and fathers and sons-and this didn't feel like it did that at all. If you got the same feeling and want the mythology and to feel good about the women in it getting a fair portrayal try this list in order of how well written I felt they were: Circe, Ariadne, A Spartans sorrow, Athenas child
angryvowel's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
wherermydreamers's review
4.0
I came from Madeline Miller’s Circe because I wanted to read more of Penelope from her own perspective. I think there are room for improvements but I enjoyed it anyway. Would have loved to see this played out on stage.