Book #18
Book Title:The Penelopiad
Author: Margaret Atwood
Genre: fiction
# of pages: 196
Pages read this year: 5225/15000 (34.8%)
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best].: B
Short description/summary of the book: (taken from amazon.com): Drawing on a range of sources, in addition to The Odyssey, Atwood scripts the narrative of Penelope, the faithful and devoted wife of Odysseus and her 12 maids, who were killed upon the master's return. Atwood proposes striking interpretations of her characters that challenge the patriarchal nature of Greek mythology. The chapters transition between the firsthand account of Penelope and the chorus of maids as listeners are taken from Penelope's early life to her afterlife. Laural Merlington charmingly delivers the witty and perceptive Penelope with realistic inflection and emphasis. Some of her vocal caricatures seem over the top, but most voices maintain a resemblance to our perceptions of these mythic people. The maids are presented as a saddened chorus by a cloning of Merlington's voice. These dark figures speak straightforwardly in their accusations of Penelope and Odysseus, while, at other times, they make use of rhyming. This format works well, though sometimes the cadence and rhyming scheme are off beat. This benefits the production by creating an eerie resonance and haunting demeanor that enhances this engaging tale.
My thoughts: I found this read very interesting. I don't normally pick out feminist authors, but I LOVE the story of The Odyssey, and so I wanted to read the story from a different perspective, and I am very glad that I did! It made me question some of the events that happened in the story and what their TRUE intentions were (even though I don't necessarily agree that they happened the way that Atwood said either...). Towards the end, I found some of the Chorus Lines to be a bit too much and I didn't find that Atwood was the BEST writer, but overall, the story was entertaining and I was glad that I read it. Anyways, if you appreciate The Odyssey as much as I do, I highly suggest this read! :D

Currently Reading: I am going to read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult...NEXT! :D

X-posted to my book community, book_it_2006 and a whole lot of other places! ;P