What: The short version is that it's The Odyssey told from the point of view of Penelope, wife of Odysseus.
The longer version is that it's about Penelope in Hades, looking back on her life. She reflects on her childhood, she remembers how she ended up married to Odysseus (dude cheated in a contest), she recounts what happened while Odysseus was away, and she calls out the infamous Helen for ruining her life.
The choral commentary in this Greek drama comes from the twelve maids who are unjustly executed as traitors by Penelope's son.
Opening lines: "Now that I'm dead I know everything."
Representative quote: "Cleverness is a quality a man likes to have in his wife as long as she is some distance away from him."
How to get it: Buyable, borrowable, Kindle-able.
Connections to previous Wreckage: I previously mentioned The Penelopiad during Personal Wreck Week (List #3). Author Margaret Atwood also wrote The Robber Bride (Rec. #105) and The Blind Assassin (Rec. #203).
This novella is part of Canongate's "The Myths" series. Another book in the series is Jeanette Winterson's Weight (Rec. #272), a retelling of the story of Atlas and Heracles.
No comments:
Post a Comment