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The Penelopiad (Canongate Myths) Paperback – September 14, 2006

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 4,839 ratings

Margaret Atwood returns with a shrewd, funny, and insightful retelling of the myth of Odysseus from the point of view of Penelope. Describing her own remarkable vision, the author writes in the foreword, “I’ve chosen to give the telling of the story to Penelope and to the twelve hanged maids. The maids form a chanting and singing Chorus, which focuses on two questions that must pose themselves after any close reading of the Odyssey: What led to the hanging of the maids, and what was Penelope really up to? The story as told in the Odyssey doesn’t hold water: there are too many inconsistencies. I’ve always been haunted by the hanged maids and, in The Penelopiad, so is Penelope herself.” One of the high points of literary fiction in 2005, this critically acclaimed story found a vast audience and is finally available in paperback.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Half-Dorothy Parker, half-Desperate Housewives.” —The Independent (UK)

“By turns slyly funny and fiercely indignant, Ms. Atwood’s imaginative, ingeniously constructed ‘deconstruction’ of the old tale reveals it in a new—and refreshingly different—light.” —
The Washington Times

“Here—at the outset of the twenty-first century, with everyone else looking forward with great intensity and hoping to predict what our mysterious future might bring—is Margaret Atwood, one of the most admired practi­tioners of the novel in North America, taking the measure of the old Odyssey itself with a steady gaze and asking the reader to follow forthwith, even as she coolly rewrites that oral epic from the point of view of the hero’s wife.” —Alan Cheuse,
Chicago Tribune

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Canongate U.S.; First Trade Paper edition (September 14, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1841957984
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1841957982
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.75 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 4,839 ratings

About the author

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Margaret Atwood
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Margaret Atwood is the author of more than fifty books of fiction, poetry and critical essays. Her novels include Cat's Eye, The Robber Bride, Alias Grace, The Blind Assassin and the MaddAddam trilogy. Her 1985 classic, The Handmaid's Tale, went back into the bestseller charts with the election of Donald Trump, when the Handmaids became a symbol of resistance against the disempowerment of women, and with the 2017 release of the award-winning Channel 4 TV series. ‘Her sequel, The Testaments, was published in 2019. It was an instant international bestseller and won the Booker Prize.’

Atwood has won numerous awards including the Booker Prize, the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Imagination in Service to Society, the Franz Kafka Prize, the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade and the PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2019 she was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services to literature. She has also worked as a cartoonist, illustrator, librettist, playwright and puppeteer. She lives in Toronto, Canada.

Photo credit: Liam Sharp

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4,839 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's engaging retelling of the classic myth. They praise the well-written and entertaining story with clever humor and playful twists. The book is described as creative, inventive, and thought-provoking, offering a fresh perspective on the classic tale.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

89 customers mention "Enjoyment"89 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an interesting retelling of the tale from Penelope's perspective. The book is described as compelling and creative, weaving together the story from her perspective. Readers describe it as a brilliant account of a timeless classic told with voices.

"...She makes the world of ancient Greece relatable and interesting. She lays it before us to listen, see, judge, and above all, LEARN...." Read more

"This book was well written and enjoyable. It was an interesting perspective, and the story is told differently than others I have read...." Read more

"...It's interesting, and thought provoking, however, in the end, Atwood does not tie together the reasons for the maids being killed...." Read more

"...And what of the T-Penelope of the author? She is witty and capable, highly intelligent, and sometimes sarcastic...." Read more

47 customers mention "Writing quality"41 positive6 negative

Customers find the writing quality good. They describe the book as well-written, interesting, and enjoyable. Readers appreciate the author's strong background and sense of humor. The story is described as creative and a quick read with depth.

"...This story flows with unerring force in her unique manner of writing...." Read more

"This book was well written and enjoyable. It was an interesting perspective, and the story is told differently than others I have read...." Read more

"...Be prepared though, it's a quick read that will leave you a bit hungry for more." Read more

"...Readable and exciting. Highly recommended." Read more

36 customers mention "Retelling"33 positive3 negative

Customers find the book interesting and entertaining. They appreciate the new perspective and modern twist on a classic myth. The book provides an alternative perspective with a clear feminist message that questions the heroic ideal.

"...Atwoods keenmind and wry wit angle sharply with the precision of a skilled surgeon to demonstrate before us the view upon Odysseus and his "great..." Read more

"This book was well written and enjoyable. It was an interesting perspective, and the story is told differently than others I have read...." Read more

"...retelling of a tale that clearly adds new material and a new angle to the existing story...." Read more

"...She has obviously done her work in delving into Greek mythology, citing Homer's Odyssey (obviously) as a source and Robert Graves's two volumes of..." Read more

35 customers mention "Humor"32 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it witty, funny, and entertaining. The tone is playful, with creative twists on what readers of the original expected.

"...And what of the T-Penelope of the author? She is witty and capable, highly intelligent, and sometimes sarcastic...." Read more

"I enjoyed reading The Penelopiad a great deal; it is witty, well researched, and Margaret Atwood is a superb story teller...." Read more

"...There is subtle yet nasty humor here and songs (as in a Greek chorus) from her 12 youngest and prettiest maids...." Read more

"...The tone is playful, with creative twists on what readers of the original probably presumed...." Read more

25 customers mention "Creativity"25 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's creativity. They find the story clever and entertaining, with a cute concept. The book explores human nature through symbolism and motifs. It has vibrant colors and a playful tone, with creative twists on the original text.

"...It is the work of a master artist who toiled for us to understand or, at least, give a very differing slant...." Read more

"...She is witty and capable, highly intelligent, and sometimes sarcastic...." Read more

"...Was she admirable? No. Was she powerful? Yes. Penelope was smart, faithful and largely honest. But she lives underground..." Read more

"...They were all staring at Helen, who was intolerably beautiful, as usual...." Read more

20 customers mention "Depth"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. They appreciate the fresh perspective and analysis of the women's side of the story. The book is described as a quick, enjoyable read with depth and complexity. Readers praise the well-researched and interesting premise.

"...It is raw, it is dizzying, it is an important work, though Atwood is both intimate and distant in her voice...." Read more

"...It's interesting, and thought provoking, however, in the end, Atwood does not tie together the reasons for the maids being killed...." Read more

"I enjoyed reading The Penelopiad a great deal; it is witty, well researched, and Margaret Atwood is a superb story teller...." Read more

"...To be fair, it's certainly an interesting premise. I love Mists of Avalon, and similar revisionist-history from the women's point of view...." Read more

11 customers mention "Feminist message"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the feminist message in the book. They find it humorously deconstructing the heroic Odysseus, with a female perspective. The maid chapters are described as fascinating and unpredictable.

"...Her eagle eyes see and write of everyone. She is distinctly feminist without bring shrill...." Read more

"...But she lives underground Both famous women, both tell us two different ways of life, relevant today too. Readable and exciting...." Read more

"...The maid chapters were especially evocative and fascinating, as well as unpredictable...." Read more

"...Both narrators speak to us in the present from Hades. Feminist in spirit, the novel humorously deconstructs the heroic Odysseus into a collection..." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-imagined characters with their flaws and strengths. They find the characters written as a family, with an enlightened view of what heroes leave behind.

"...a story that lets us see Penelope as a multi-dimensional, fully imagined character...." Read more

"An interesting read weaving Penelope's story and shining light on her possible thoughts and character. A quick read. I recommend it." Read more

"...The characters are written as family with all of their flaws that come with it...." Read more

"...The way the author humanized the characters made it fun to read and I left still wanting more!" Read more

Disappointing Quality: Missing Pages!
1 out of 5 stars
Disappointing Quality: Missing Pages!
The book itself is a good read, but it’s missing the first 22 pages of the actual story. They’ve been ripped out! Cover art is also different and uglier (in my opinion) than what is shown. I am pretty disappointed overall. I had to go to the library and read the missing first bit that way. Purchase with caution!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2019
    This is my second time reading this book. I read it when it first came out oh, and purchased it again after having read Circe by Madeline Miller. I wanted to see how I felt how it compares against Circe. Being an Atwood fan, I should have known that she took an entirely different tack and wrote an entirely different book. Both authors are excellent and both books are well worth the read.

    Atwoods keenmind and wry wit angle sharply with the precision of a skilled surgeon to demonstrate before us the view upon Odysseus and his "great feats", his legend, through the eyes of Penelope.

    Her words and intellect slice through to the heart of matters, and never shies away, nor flinches in her pursuits. She sets before us a different view, far different than that of Homer. She shows her heart and shows what it was to exist in those times. She paints an excellent view of Penelope, her good, bad and ugly. But she goes much deeper than that by far.

    Her eagle eyes see and write of everyone. She is distinctly feminist without bring shrill. That is a feat in itself, for the word feminist calls up visions of man-hating harpies for some reason. Hating men is not feminist, it is misandry-an entirely different beast. Feminists just call for true equality. But, I apologise for my digression.

    Atwood's skill is definitely on display and her message is clear. She does not tip toe, nor howl. She is a truth-bearer, a better Hermes to the masses today. She makes the world of ancient Greece relatable and interesting. She lays it before us to listen, see, judge, and above all, LEARN.

    There is a reason Atwood is a modern day legend. She is a force unlike to any other. She is a treasure trove of intellect and it is very evident here. This story flows with unerring force in her unique manner of writing. It is raw, it is dizzying, it is an important work, though Atwood is both intimate and distant in her voice. But, her voice always rings true.

    So, come. See the other side of the coins. You will come away with your own view. You will be entertained. You will be educated. And, you will be...well, that is for you to decide. I do not merely recommend "The Penelopiad", I implore you to read it. It is the work of a master artist who toiled for us to understand or, at least, give a very differing slant. I am very pleased to have experienced it.

    As Always I Wish Happy Reads to All from the Unapologetic Book Junkie 😉!
    79 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2024
    This book was well written and enjoyable. It was an interesting perspective, and the story is told differently than others I have read.
    If you are a huge Greek mythology fan, I would definitely recommend this book. If your greek mythology interests are just starting, Iwould save this one for when you are really intrigued.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2006
    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.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2005
    About 600 BCE, the Lydians of ancient Turkey (which was then called Anatolia) began forming lumps of a natural alloy of gold and silver called electrum and stamping them with official symbols. Thus the "striking of coins" began and within 50 years most major trading cities were issuing coins, especially the cities of ancient Greece. An interesting development in this regard was the two-sided coin, with an "obverse" side (H), deemed the most important and usually decorated with the head of a ruler or god, and the "reverse" side (T), which was considered the less important one.

    If one were to examine the enormous amount of research literature that has been generated by the study of Homer's Odyssey one will find a two-sided Greek coin, both sides of which are stamped with the figure of Penelope. One side, the obverse side, represents the figure of Penelope as presented by Homer. The reverse side represents Penelope as presented by the author of this book (and possibly many other researchers also). The Penelope of Homer (H-Penelope) is very different from the Penelope of the author (T-Penelope).

    Homer, embedded in a culture that displayed a high degree of misogyny, speaks of H-Penelope as passing her days "mourning for the best of husbands." But H-Penelope can sew (as "most" women can or should), as she must complete the shroud of Laertes before she chooses a suitor. And H-Penelope is deemed very capable of running the household when Odysseus is gone. But H-Penelope is a member of a "deadly race" who "live among mortal men only to their great trouble", and who offer no help in poverty, but only in riches. After all, H-Penelope tricked and deceived the suitors (but Homer still wants the reader to believe in her virtuousness). H-Penelope was therefore the ultimate diplomat, skilled in the inherent evasiveness of tact and prudence, and did not hesitate to engage in deception (but again Homer wants the reader to believe in her virtuousness).

    And what of the T-Penelope of the author? She is witty and capable, highly intelligent, and sometimes sarcastic. In telling her story, T-Penelope does so as a disembodied spirit inhabiting Hades, the Greek version of hell. She wanted all individuals to be true to themselves, to not put on a useless show. T-Penelope though is proud of being self-sufficient, of being able to "look out for herself" in the world. For a woman this is a characteristically twenty-first century attitude, definitely a virtue, and definitely non-Homeric.

    T-Penelope makes it a point to say that she still appreciates the small white flowers of the asphodel of Hades, thus offering "proof" of her femininity. But she does not want to thought of as too much of a prude: she has always been "secretly attracted" to pickpockets, stockbrokers, and small-time pimps (who occupy Hades with her). Even more importantly, T-Penelope was not a Helen, and completely uninterested in the repeated conquests of men. And her beauty, if any, was not to be compared with Helen's, for the result of the latter was the deaths of many men (and whose deaths Helen regarded as a tribute to herself). T-Penelope rightfully despised Helen, for Helen ruined her life (as she did many others). There are still many Helen's walking around these days but thankfully even more T-Penelope's.

    So it is clear that both Homer and the author offer different pictures of Penelope, and both issue biased coins in this regard. If one throws the coin of Homer it will usually come up H, whereas if one throws the coin of the author it will usually come up T. Such is the nature of historians, whether they are literary or otherwise: they always seem to issue a biased coin. With care, astute observers can always find the bias in the coins they issue. Such observers though must be careful not to themselves issue a biased coin when presenting their findings.
    71 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Nayantara
    5.0 out of 5 stars A new perspective
    Reviewed in India on January 31, 2024
    I read Circe and The Penelopiad together. Looking at the two characters involved with Odysseus from two different lenses has been thought provoking. Both loved and lost. Both now given a voice.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A New Perspective upon history of Heroes
    Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2020
    This new interpretation of more than 2000 years old Greek myth of Odysseus from the viewpoint of his wife Penelope gives us a truly remarkable new vision. Just like Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea stories which try to remedy the millenniums old patriarchal views of Hero, this tiny remarkable book by Margaret Atwood gives us a new vision of a Hero in the shape of woman. A truly fascinating book!
    Only thing that requires full appreciation of this book is that readers need to be fairy familiar with Homer's The Odyssey. Otherwise, one will miss much of Ms. Atwood's humour and irony. If you have been familiar with the details of The Odyssey, Ms.Atwood's/Penelope's viewpoints are truly delicious. Enjoy!!
  • Aydee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lectura super recomendable!,
    Reviewed in Mexico on May 23, 2020
    Una reinterpretacion muy buena del mito griego de la Odisea y desde là perspectiva de Penelope y otros personajes femeninos a los que en el original ni siquiera se les da voz. Margaret Atwood conserva un humor ácido a lo largo del libro y con gran satisfacción les da vida a Penelope y a los personajes femeninos que la rodean.

    Una lectura muy recomendable sobre reinterpretacion y voces femeninas.
  • Zuzana Forrest
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in Spain on June 9, 2020
    I got a refresher on the Odyssey and a new point of view to look at it from. What a marvelous book. Takes a special mind to develop characters the way Ms. Atwood does. Thank you - it was a treat!
  • Wouter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in Germany on June 20, 2019
    Very good book