I assigned this book to my senior AP students to read over the winter break, and they were enthralled! We had read Homer's The Odyssey in the fall, so they were prepared for the story, and we had studied critical approaches to literature, including feminism, that gave them insights into Atwood's characterization of Penelope and her views of Odysseus, Helen, and the 12 maids as well as of Atwood's style. The girls loved it; even the guys appreciated Atwood's modern presentation of feminine wiles and witty anachronisms. They found it an easy and quick read, and it provided crafty material for discussions of mythology, rhetorical strategies, style, and genre.

Brilliant! Margaret Atwood's look at incongruities in the Odysseus myth, especially the slaughter of twelve of Penelope's maids, is fierce, powerful stuff. One comes to the end of the novel not knowing who to trust, but sure of a number of problematic themes in the Homeric text. This is feminist criticism of the canon at its best, acknowledging the influence of the Odysseus myth and then calling us all to task for ignoring deeply disturbing episodes in it. A must-read, one of the few such retellings that stands on its own merits as a compelling story.

Giving Penelope a voice is an excellent concept. Margaret Atwood's book, part of the Canongate Myth Series, illustrates the trials and tribulations that Penelope goes through as she waits for the return of her husband, Odysseus, from the Trojan War.

I would argue that there is too much telling rather than showing in the book. Penelope, speaking from the land of the dead, tells us her story. If we could have seen more of her interaction with her suitors, her maids, Odyssues and their son Telemachus, I think we would have a greater appreciation for and understanding of her plight.

This is the second of the Canongate Myth books that I've read following Weight. I love the concept of the series, but was looking for more from both books.

I'd bump this review up to 3.5 stars if I could.

In "The Penelopiad," Margaret Atwood retells the story of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus and cousin of Helen of Troy. Penelope was considered to be a smart individual, but lacking in beauty as compared to her popular cousin, Helen. When Penelope married Odysseus, she thought that she would be contented, succeeded in gaining the respect and love of her husband. Unfortunately, Odysseus decided to fight the Trojan war and he was out of Penelope's life for 20 years. During the this time, Penelope was ran the household and palace. However, when Odysseus failed to show up, young suitors began to show up, demanding to marry Penelope in order to get to her wealth. Soon, they began taking their possessions and raping the maids of the palace.

This was an interesting reconstruct the story from Penelope's point of view. I don't know a whole lot of about Greek mythology but I find this book highly entertaining. It was also interesting to read about the 12 maids who were hanged by Penelope's son. Highly recommended!

This book is quite simply written, though this is not a problem, it's just a warning to those who have read other books in the "MYTHS" series. After reading Jeanette Winterson's "WEIGHT," I was expecting quite a bit more from this book (Weight was fantastic). Atwood's book tells the myth from the point of view of Penelope, rather than the more traditional approach to look at the story from Odysseus's point of view. It's interesting, and thought provoking, however, in the end, Atwood does not tie together the reasons for the maids being killed. Nor does she leave you pondering what the reasons might be --- she leaves you with a jumble of facts and ideas and little motivation to consider it further.

If you are reading the MYTHS series, of course you will need to read this book, however we felt that Winterson's WEIGHT was certinly the best of the series. Another book along the same lines is Anne Provost's "In The Shadow Of The Ark" - which is also excellent. On the other hand, if you are not specifically looking for myths told from another viewpoint, there is little to draw you to read this book. I've heard Atwood's other book on the topic, called "the handmaids tale" is quite good, and we plan to read it next.