'The Penelopiad' by Margaret Atwood is a retelling of the myth of Penelope from Homer's Odyssey, narrated by Penelope herself from the Underworld in present day. The book provides a cleverly told autobiography, focusing on Penelope's perspective on Odysseus' adventures and the twelve maids hanged by Odysseus, who act as a traditional Greek chorus. Atwood's unique take on the story includes the theory that Penelope had the maids act as spies, adding a fascinating new dimension to this old tale.
The narrative of 'The Penelopiad' offers a fresh and feminist perspective on the classic Greek myth, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggles faced by Penelope during Odysseus' absence. Through a combination of prose, verse, and chorus elements, Atwood weaves a story that delves into the inner thoughts and emotions of Penelope, shedding light on her character and the challenges she faced while waiting for her husband's return.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of violence, murder (specifically the hanging of the maids), infidelity, and discussions of sexual exploitation.
From The Publisher:
For Penelope, Odysseus's wife, running a kingdom while her husband is away fighting in the Trojan War is no simple matter. Already distressed that he had been lured away because of the shocking behavior of her beautiful cousin Helen, Penelope must also raise her wayward son, face scandalous rumors, and keep more than one hundred lustful, greedy, and bloodthirsty suitors at bay.
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About the Author:
Born in Ottawa in 1939, Margaret Atwood is the author of more than thirty-five internationally acclaimed works of fiction, poetry, and critical essays. The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, Alias Grace, and Oryx and Crake were all short-listed for the Man Booker Prize, which she won with her tenth novel, The Blind Assassin. She also has won the Giller Prize in Canada for Alias Grace and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for The Robber Bride. Margaret Atwood is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and has been awarded the Norwegian Order of Literary Merit and the French Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and she is a Foreign Honorary Member for Literature of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She lives in Toronto.
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