The Penelopiad in Around the World in 80 Books

Mar 17, 2024 Mihika rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5 - I really wanted to love this book but instead I am more intrigued at Atwood’s style choices. The language is stilted as if it has been translated via a few languages, making the dialogue very odd- and I’m guessing she did this intentionally. I love the idea of the Chorus of Maids but I also found their verses written in too careless a meter and just not as elegantly written as it could be- also intentional to show what children they were?

I’m not sure. But these choices made me enjoy the s ...more

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Mar 02, 2012 Jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: homage, greece

Reading the description I was expecting this one to be more of a stylistic piece that maintained the epic-poem approach of the original myth, but Atwood's straightforward prose/memoir tactic works is both surprising and effective. I love the concept of Penelope as a slightly snarky undead shade who wants to set the record straight, and the subtle touches of humor make this a winner. ...more

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Nov 18, 2024 Andy Plonka rated it really liked it

Shelves: src

The author's view of The Odyssey ? Ad interesting reead. ...more

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Dec 14, 2007 Jana rated it liked it

I happened to see this book in the library and since I really enjoyed "The Handmaid's Tail" I checked it out. I really like the way Ms Atwood uses Penelope as the first-person narrator for the story. Intermingled with this we have the chorus of twelve maids telling their story through poetry and drama. Overall I though it was a very creative and interesting retelling of the ancient myth. I think I will look up other books in this series. ...more

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