Be Specific About Based On Books The Penelopiad
| Title | : | The Penelopiad |
| Author | : | Margaret Atwood |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 198 pages |
| Published | : | October 5th 2005 by Canongate U.S. |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Fantasy. Mythology. Historical. Historical Fiction. Feminism. Retellings |
Explanation Conducive To 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.
Point Books During 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) |
Rating Based On Books The Penelopiad
Ratings: 3.7 From 38696 Users | 3870 ReviewsCritique Based On Books The Penelopiad
Margaret Atwood has a brilliant mind, and I think this book is a brilliant way to start the Canongate Myth series: with a story that illustrates the various ways a myth can be interpreted. Who is telling the truth? Is there only one truth? If so, can it be known? This may seem like a slight read, but underneath it has a lot to say about these questions; about the nature of silence; and storytelling itself, including unexpected danger when perhaps you think you've got everything covered ...At this point I think it would be impossible for Atwood to write a book I dont fall head over heels in love with. Whether its poetry, short stories, dystopian fiction or mythology, she does it all fabulously and flawlessly. I was so excited when I found out this was based on Greek mythology, its a subject Ive always been completely fascinated by. And I absolutely wasnt disappointed! Atwood captures Penelopes voice perfectly and puts such a fresh spin on this story, I really couldnt have loved it
3***We had no voice,We had no name,We had no choice,We had one face,One face the same"This book focuses on the story of Penelope and the twelve maids immortalised in myth by the story of Odysseus. This is told from Penelope's point of view as she wonders through the underworld, looking back on events that had taken place in her life.Penelope in this book is fiercely intelligent, cunning and much more than just the devoted wife as portrayed in Homer's- The Odyssey. It goes through her life as a
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
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 one where Penelope tells her story from the Underworld. I made it about sixty pages before the whining got to me.Presumably the author feels that Penelope deserves better than to be a secondary character. But since, when put on center stage, this universal-victim Penelope never asserts herself, and is chiefly worried about whether people like her and how she's not as pretty as Helen of Troy, I'd say the Odyssey did her a better turn than Atwood did.
I was initially nervous before reading The Penelopiad as Ive mentioned before my Greek mythology knowledge is scant, but I should have known better. Atwoods handling of Penelopes voice was fantastic and brought it right into the 21st century while enlightening me to the story of Odysseus. She challenges the way Greek myths are recounted, by giving a voice to Penelope and her 12 handmaids with her usual wit and sass. I almost had to put the book down and slow clap her in my living room when she
0 Comments