“He was always so plausible. Many people have believed that his version of events was the true one, give or take a few murders, a few beautiful seductresses, a few one-eyed monsters. Even I believed him, from time to time. I knew he was tricky and a liar, I just didn’t think he would play his tricks and try out his lines on me. Hadn’t I been faithful? Hadn’t I waited, and waited, and waited, despite the temptation – almost the compulsion – to do otherwise? And what did I amount to, once the official version gained ground? And edifying legend.”
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
In the classic story of The Odyssey the hero travels to faraway lands, battles monsters and has incredible adventures while his wife stays home and waits for him patiently. Now in Margaret Atwood’s modern tale Penelope finally gets a voice and tells the reader what really happened all those years Odysseus was gone.
From the depths of Hades, Penelope recounts what her life was like as she grew up. We find out that Penelope didn’t harbor much good will towards her beautiful cousin, Helen, and that she wasn’t just a loving and patient wife waiting for Odysseus. She resented having to wait and to top it off she also has to keep the hundred suitors at bay and maintain watch over Ithaca.
Penelope here is shown as a clever and sensible. She can be daring when speaking about the Gods and her true feelings but there is something else that pricks at her conscience and that is the murder of her twelve young beautiful maids. The young women, who were raped by Penelope’s suitors, also have a voice in the book as their commentaries are interspersed within the narrative.
A truly wonderful book which had a good dose of humor to balance the drama and some of the more terrifying images. I honestly can’t imagine anyone else but Atwood writing this novel and she truly makes Penelope stand on her own and have her place in literature.
I read this book for Carl’s Once Upon a Time Challenge. I only signed up to read one book so that means I did complete my challenge. Thank you Carl V. for hosting the challenge again. It is always fun to participate!
Source: Personal copy
I need to read this! I love the quote you selected. This book always seems to be on the lists of best derivative books, right along with Wide Sargasso Sea.
I thought it was great. I reviewed in 2006 on Bayou Quilts, and I think it was one of the reasons, I started a book blog. I couldn’t find it on my book blog, but knew I’d reviewed it. So glad you liked it, too, Iliana. I loved that Atwood used the maids as the Greek chorus!
I’ve had my eye on this book for awhile. I’m glad to see you enjoyed it.
Being an Atwood fan, this one is on my wishlist. Sounds as good as I could imagine. Glad you liked it!
Never read Atwood, but is on my list of things to do before I die! I jus shake my head. I need to clone myself.
I’ve wanted to read this one for aggggeeessss. I tried mooching it forever and that never panned out. Gonna check on the e-book price. Cross your fingers!
I’ve tried reading Greek Mythologies retold in this century (by two other authors) and have had no luck!
I am glad this one was a good read. I might try it.
I’ve never heard of this one before but it sounds sooooooo good!
So glad you liked the book. There were some gruesome images in it, weren’t there? atwood did a marvelous job of turning Penlope into a hero in her own right.
Dana Huff – I hope you’ll give it a try. It is so good. I need to read Wide Sargasso Sea. For some reason I feel a bit intimidated by that one but I need to take the plunge!
jenclair – Really? Oh how wonderful. Definitely a book worthy to start a book blog 🙂 The maids were inspired weren’t they!
Anna – Definitely check it out if you get a chance.
Wisteria – I can’t believe it took me so long to read it and I’m an Atwood fan too.
Sandy – Oh you must remedy that quick. Now, if you find how to clone yourself let me know. I need to keep a clone around to go to work for me so I can stay home and read all day. haha.
Andi – I hope the ebook price isn’t too high. It’s so good and such a quick read. Not that you want to zip through it.
Isabel – Definitely give this one a try. You like Atwood right? I think you may be surprised by this one.
Kathleen – It’s wonderful and I hope you’ll be able to fit it in with your books.
Stefanie – The maids stuff was shocking actually. I just loved that I really felt like I could hear Penelope telling her side of the story. Atwood is just fantastic.