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3rd out of 26 books
—
4 voters
Penelope's Daughter
The award-winning author of The Four Seasons retells The Odyssey from the point of view of Odysseus and Penelope's daughter.
With her father Odysseus gone for twenty years, Xanthe barricades herself in her royal chambers to escape the rapacious suitors who would abduct her to gain the throne. Xanthe turns to her loom to weave the adventures of her life, from her upbringi...more
With her father Odysseus gone for twenty years, Xanthe barricades herself in her royal chambers to escape the rapacious suitors who would abduct her to gain the throne. Xanthe turns to her loom to weave the adventures of her life, from her upbringi...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
October 5th 2010
by Berkley Trade
(first published September 11th 2010)
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I confess: I'm a junky for books that retell the story of the Trojan War, the Odyssey, and/or Helen of Troy. My favorites? Margaret George's Helen of Troy, Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad,and Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Firebrand. Now, I'm adding Laurel Corona's fine book, Penelope's Daughter, to that list.
The book is told from the perspective of Xanthe, the daughter Odysseus never knew he had. Don't go looking for Xanthe in The Odyssey; you won't find her. She's strictly the creation of Corona...more
The book is told from the perspective of Xanthe, the daughter Odysseus never knew he had. Don't go looking for Xanthe in The Odyssey; you won't find her. She's strictly the creation of Corona...more
Mar 18, 2011
Briansmom
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
I wanted to like this book. I have read and loved many historical novels, about people both real and fictitious. But there doesn't seem to be many hist. nov. set in ancient Greece, so when I found this, I was intrigued. Having read and studied Homer's Odessey in high school (more years ago than I'd care to admit) a "reimagining" sounded like a great idea for a story. Also, though I am not a weaver, I enjoy and practice other fiber arts and therefore have a great appreciation for the weaver's art...more
I really loved this book. It is set during the time of The Odyssey but is told from Odysseus' daughter's perspective. I liked The Odyssey, of course, but I had some issues with the lack of female characters of strength in it. I know that was just the way it was back in the day, so it's not really a complaint. But I am a sucker for classics retold through the eyes of women.
All three main women - Penelope, Helen and of course Xanthe - are strong, flawed and believable. I especially found Helen in...more
All three main women - Penelope, Helen and of course Xanthe - are strong, flawed and believable. I especially found Helen in...more
In "Penelope's Daughter", Laurel Corona offers a beautifully written women's perspective of the times after the Trojan War. I have read Homer's "The Odyssey" several times, and jumped at the opportunity to read this one once I learned it would be set in ancient Greece. I was also very drawn to the idea that Odysseus had left for war not knowing that his young bride Penelope was pregnant with his second child. This is Xanthe's story.
Corona's version of Penelope's side of the story is very believa...more
Corona's version of Penelope's side of the story is very believa...more
Liking it quite a bit. She has modernized Mary Renault's writing style. Though it's not as sumptious as Jacqueling Carey's prose. But really nice imagery. Written so that it's appropriate for teen readers, though. Just needs a little bit of something more for some oomph. But I like the unexpected turn the story has taken. Let's see how it ends.
Update: The ending was a bit anticlimactic as epilogues always are. However, since a primary point was that women do not make things happen, but rather ar...more
Update: The ending was a bit anticlimactic as epilogues always are. However, since a primary point was that women do not make things happen, but rather ar...more
When I found a book in the romance section of the library about the daughter of Odysseus, I was all over that. The only issue is that when I got to reading it, I discovered this really isn't a romance novel. It's really more Xanthe's life story, a coming of age and a study of what life would have been like for the family left behind in the 20 years of Odysseus's adventures, especially for the women, limited as they were in a man's world. There is a love interest, but it's not their story, it's v...more
I didn't enjoy this one so much. I was really into the idea of it, especially as I was finding a hard time finding many novels set to read and I was drawn to the emphasis on female characters. However, I found the protagonist, Xanthe, lacking in substance - it seems tome that her story itself is not as interesting as those of the characters surrounding her (most prominently of course this meaning Helen and Penelope). She is just an observer who perceives those around her in an noncomplex manner:...more
Another entry into the genre of stories from the point of view of 'forgotten women.'
This novel proposes that when Odysseus left Ithaca, his wife Penelope was pregnant with a daughter never mentioned by Homer. Corona shines a light on what life may have been like for Xanthe, growing up in a difficult situation, never knowing her legendary father.
Occasionally, I found details to be unconvincing for the time period, but overall this was an absorbing book, which brings to life the secret lives of an...more
This novel proposes that when Odysseus left Ithaca, his wife Penelope was pregnant with a daughter never mentioned by Homer. Corona shines a light on what life may have been like for Xanthe, growing up in a difficult situation, never knowing her legendary father.
Occasionally, I found details to be unconvincing for the time period, but overall this was an absorbing book, which brings to life the secret lives of an...more
Years ago in high school I was forced to read the Iliad and/or the Odyssey .. I retained nothing from the story though. Luckily for Homer, here comes Laurel Corona breathing new life into the age old tale, with her story of Penelope's Daughter. Xanthe is the daughter of Odysseus and Penelope, and with wonderful magnetism I was drawn to this tale of a young woman struggling to achieve her mother's affection. Once that occurred, she was forced to leave Ithaca in secrecy as protection against the m...more
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Penelope’s Daughter , written by Laurel Corona, takes Homer’s The Odyssey and flips it on its head…focusing instead on what happened to his wife Penelope, daughter Xanthe and son Telemachus during his absence, as narrated to the readers by Xanthe while she weaves the story of her life on her loom.
Most of us know of Homer’s The Odyssey from required reading in school, but I have to admit that I don’t remember very much of the experience. I can say now that if it was as entertaining as Penelope’s...more
Most of us know of Homer’s The Odyssey from required reading in school, but I have to admit that I don’t remember very much of the experience. I can say now that if it was as entertaining as Penelope’s...more
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Xanthe is the daughter of Odysseus and Penelope, who are the rulers of the Island kingdom of Ithaca. The book Penelope's Daughter follows her from her childhood where she is moved around from her Mother's palace, to her grandparents farm and eventually into hiding at her Mother's Cousin Helen's Kingdom of Sparta. This book was very interesting to me because it went further in the story of Odysseus then I have ever delved before. I have never considered the option, that Penelope might have had a...more
The novel was okay. While I liked the idea behind it and the portrayal of the women, there was something missing for me. I would've found Penelope more interesting than Helen. If equal time had been spent on each, that might've improved things for me. I did, though, like the descriptions of weaving, dying and all of that. Some of Corona's images concerning those things were really rather beautiful.
It was an easy read, which is what I was looking for, and didn't require me to think much, which I...more
It was an easy read, which is what I was looking for, and didn't require me to think much, which I...more
I have never read The Odyssey although I know the story well enough -- the husband who spends 10 years warring and another 10 trying to get home to his long-suffering wife. In this novel Laurel Corona give us, quite literally, the distaff side of that tale. The constant wife of Homer's poem does far more in this version of the tale than weave during the day and unravel her work at night. Indeed, she raises a son and a daughter while she is caught in a net that is not of her own devising -- neith...more
I loved revisiting the characters from the Iliad and the Odyssey, especially from a feminist point of view. I also appreciated how the historical details enriched the story. However, there was something missing in the characterization--although Helen's character was amazingly well developed. Unfortunately, the conclusion was somewhat anticlimactic; I mean, we all know what happens when Odysseus makes it home, but the major element of suspense in the novel is what happens after that between he an...more
I really wanted to like 'Penelope's Daughter by Laurel Corona. I am a passionate reader of historical fiction. But the book fell flat for me. I love Homer's Odyssey. I read it in World Literature in college. I love the rich poetic images so much and also the vision of Penelope's devotion.
The author did a tremendous amount of research as evidenced by the afterword and bibliography. I did enjoy reading about the important festivals in Greece such as the grape festival but I was so stuck on Homer'...more
The author did a tremendous amount of research as evidenced by the afterword and bibliography. I did enjoy reading about the important festivals in Greece such as the grape festival but I was so stuck on Homer'...more
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Sadly, for me, this book was just okay. I tried and tried to love it, and I really thought I did, but this novel just paled in comparison to Corona's Finding Emilie, which was one of my favorite books read in 2011.
I liked the setting and loved the idea of getting the backstory of the Odyssey, and Helen of Troy even made an appearance, which I loved! But I just didn't like certain aspects of the story, mainly the very superficial romantic relationship that she had with the prince. Their romance j...more
I liked the setting and loved the idea of getting the backstory of the Odyssey, and Helen of Troy even made an appearance, which I loved! But I just didn't like certain aspects of the story, mainly the very superficial romantic relationship that she had with the prince. Their romance j...more
Penelope's Daughter explores the women of Homer's The Odyssey, specially Xanthe, the little-known daughter of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his wife Penelope who famously fought off hoards of suitors while patiently waiting 10 years for her husband to return from Troy. The novel is told through Xanthe's eyes, after she is barricaded in her rooms and begins to weave a tapestry of her life. As the threads come together, the fascinating story of Xanthe's life unfolds.
When Xanthe was young, life was...more
When Xanthe was young, life was...more
The story set up begins a little slow but picks up pace as the tale evolves. I believe this is due to the necessary background given early on and also, the age of the main character, Xanthe. The background given is of great consequence and enriches the reader’s attachment and sympathy for the main character later in the story. I encourage readers to stick with it and enjoy the journey; after all, The Odyssey inspired Penelope’s Daughter. The tale of Penelope's Daughter truly begins when Xanthe l...more
If you are a fan of The Odyssey you are sure to enjoy the events that transpire in this book. While the struggles of Odysseus to return home to his family following the Battle of Troy are not the focus of this novel – the life of his family at home, and also that of the life of Helen of Troy following the war, are expanded upon. We also learn that after Odysseus set off for war, his wife, Penelope, had a daughter that he never knew about. We explore Xanthe’s life throughout the twenty years that...more
I absolutely love books about Greek Mythology. A few months ago, I was perusing through the Penguin calendar on new releases, and I found this gem by Laurel Corona. At first, I was a bit put off that someone could write a book about one of the most popular stories ever told and make additions. Penelope and Odysseus could not have possibly had a daughter too! No no no! However, I was very interested to see how this would play out. Needless to say, I was not disappointed one bit by "Penelope's Dau...more
Corona rewrites Homer`s Odyssey, through the eyes of Ullyses`daughter Xanthe, who is born after he leaves for the Trojan War. Her father`s protracted absence creates bedlam in his home, as suitors set up camp, wooing Penelope, until she fears for her pubescent daughter. Xanthe is sent to the court of Helen, where she grows to womanhood, disguised as a slave. While the author retells Greek history from a fresh female perspective, she interweaves Homer`s fact with her fiction in an interesting tap...more
I read historical fiction for a few reasons - first to learn about the events of the time period (the history part), second to learn about the people of the time and their thoughts and motivations (the fiction part). This book lacked on both levels. I felt like there were a lot of words used to say very little. Lack of depth to both the events and the characters. I didn't really learn anything and that is always a disappointment for me when reading historical fiction.
Interesting premise, local (San Diego) author. The story of the Odyssey through the eyes of Penelope's daughter. I enjoyed the first part of the book, the well-researched details about life in ancient Greece---and all the poetic interludes describing the events as a weaving. However, the book seemed to peter out for me. I was less and less interested, until I reached the uninspiring conclusion.
I feel like if I had read this book when I was younger, I would have liked it more, but as it was I found it not particularly compelling. The author's re-imagining and filling in the spaces in the Odyssey is plausible enough, and that is perhaps its downfall: Xanthe (a character who could have existed, but is never mentioned in the original text) has a rich emotional life but she never really accomplishes much beyond exploring her feelings and acquiring technical proficiency in weaving. There is...more
Never would have sought out this greek novel, but the new subject was refreshing. I like the author a lot. She did a great job describing thoughts/feelings/motivations. So nice to read about a time without technology. Just as fulfilling lives as ours, if not more so. Reminded me of good, long summer afternoons.
A lovely, evocative book. Corona takes one right back to the dusty Pelepponesian peninsula of Odysseus and makes ancient characters stand up and walk. Fun reading.
Nice escapist reading about the daughter left behind when Ulysses goes off for 20 years and another side of Helen of Sparta. Very transporting and fun.
I really enjoyed this novel. Great work by the author of "Reimagining the Odyssey" as she puts it. Anyone who likes historical fiction would enjoy this book.
Well written and elegaic. The story strains credulity a little, but it was a fun read and interesting to see the separate spheres of men and women in the Greek world.
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I have loved reading and writing ever since my older sister came home from first grade to teach me what she had learned that day. My first publications were in the Oakland Tribune in a weekly section for children called "Aunt Elsie's Page," and a newspaper I put out for my family which featured reviews of what I was reading and news about what was happening in the lives of my dolls.
I was lucky eno...more
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