Describe Books To The Penelopiad
| Original Title: | The Penelopiad |
| ISBN: | 1841957178 (ISBN13: 9781841957173) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Characters: | Odysseus, Penelope (wife of Odysseus) |
| Literary Awards: | Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Adult Literature (2006) |
Representaion Toward Books The Penelopiad
Now that all the others have run out of air, it’s my turn to do a little story-making.In Homer’s account in The Odyssey, Penelope—wife of Odysseus and cousin of the beautiful Helen of Troy—is portrayed as the quintessential faithful wife, her story a salutary lesson through the ages. Left alone for twenty years when Odysseus goes off to fight in the Trojan War after the abduction of Helen, Penelope manages, in the face of scandalous rumors, to maintain the kingdom of Ithaca, bring up her wayward son, and keep over a hundred suitors at bay, simultaneously. When Odysseus finally comes home after enduring hardships, overcoming monsters, and sleeping with goddesses, he kills her suitors and—curiously—twelve of her maids.
In a splendid contemporary twist to the ancient story, Margaret Atwood has chosen to give the telling of it to Penelope and to her twelve hanged maids, asking: “What led to the hanging of the maids, and what was Penelope really up to?” In Atwood’s dazzling, playful retelling, the story becomes as wise and compassionate as it is haunting, and as wildly entertaining as it is disturbing. With wit and verve, drawing on the story-telling and poetic talent for which she herself is renowned, she gives Penelope new life and reality—and sets out to provide an answer to an ancient mystery.
Itemize Out Of Books The Penelopiad
| Title | : | The Penelopiad |
| Author | : | Margaret Atwood |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 198 pages |
| Published | : | October 5th 2005 by Canongate U.S. |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Fantasy. Mythology. Historical. Historical Fiction. Feminism. Retellings |
Rating Out Of Books The Penelopiad
Ratings: 3.7 From 38696 Users | 3870 ReviewsAppraise Out Of Books The Penelopiad
Tip; If you aren't familiar with (or have forgotten) this Greek myth don't read the introduction to this novel as it contains spoilers. I love the Greek myths (I must have mean streak!) but I had forgotten some of this. I would rather of been taken by surprise.A clever idea to feminise one of the most famous of these legends, but the start had some lazy writing; Where shall I begin? There are only two choices: at the beginning or not at the beginning. There is also that unfortunate whiff youAn interesting exploration of the back story behind Homer's tale.Penelope is left behind when Odysseus goes off to the Trojan war. For ten years of war and then a further ten years of gallivanting around the Med, Penelope waits patiently at home for her man.Odysseus gets to fight Cyclops, dodge sirens and sleep with goddesses, whilst Penelope brings up their son - and a ravenous set of youths circle around the rich "widow". She gets her maids to see to the amorous suitors whilst desperately
I read this one on the recommendation of the lovely Jean at Bookishthoughts and thoroughly enjoyed it!- So this is a modern retelling of the story of Penelope and Odysseus which can be found in Homer's account in The Odyssey. Penelope and Odysseus are well known and their story is one that has been told many times - this time however we delve much deeper and Margaret Atwood shares the tale of Penelope and her aspiring suitors plus that of the twelve handmaids whom Odysseus executed upon his
Penelope gets the shaft. Come to think of it so does Clymmenstra. Lets get that clear before we go any further.Homer was on to something when the he composed the most famous of all ancient works in the forms of the Iliad and the Odyssey. I doubt he even knew how long the story would last and how often his name would be invoked in despair by students the world over. Today, Troy and its related matter appear in a variety of forms from movies, video games, to various books.This fame of the story
The Penelopiad or The Ballad of the Dead MaidsThis has been my introduction to Atwood and I have to admit that I feel slightly underwhelmed. I went in with high expectations, wondering how Atwood will take the 'waiting widow' of The Odyssey and transform it into a full length novel. Turns out that she mostly indulges in recapitulating the bulk of the original with a few wild theories and speculations thrown in as supposed rumors that Penelope has gleaned in the after-life.Which brings me to how
I have been meaning to read something written by Atwoon for maybe two years now? or even longer? and *SHOCKED BEYOND COMPREHENDING* I finally did. (Applauds oneself and pats on the back.) But putting, irony aside, of course irony and sarcasm only for me and my never ending TBR list, I can say that it was satisfactory read. Not to the point where I could give it 5 stars, but 4 is really close to top for me as well. I haven't read Homer's The Odyssey (only some paragraphs back in school) which is
(B+) 77% | GoodNotes: It succeeds in its ambitious concept and style, but comes off more like a postscript to The Odyssey than its own story.
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