Description
Book SynopsisPenelope. Immortalised in legend and myth as the devoted wife of the glorious Odysseus, silently weaving and unpicking and weaving again as she waits for her husband's return.
Now Penelope wanders the underworld, spinning a different kind of thread: her own side of the story - a tale of lust, greed and murder.
The Myths series brings together some of the world's finest writers, each of whom has retold a myth in a contemporary and memorable way. Authors in the series include Karen Armstrong, Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, David Grossman, Natsuo Kirino, Alexander McCall Smith, Philip Pullman, Ali Smith and Jeanette Winterson.
Trade ReviewAtwood takes Penelope's part with tremendous verve . . . she explores the very nature of mythic story-telling -- MARY BEARD * * Guardian * *
As potent as a curse * * Sunday Times * *
Fabulous . . . Determinedly irreverent * * New York Times * *
A witty desecration . . . Atwood plays with vigour and ingenuity * * Observer * *
Pragmatic, clever, domestic, mournful, Penelope is a perfect Atwood heroine * * Spectator * *
Half Dorothy Parker, half
Desperate Housewives * * Independent * *
Atwood and all authors named above are able to grasp the female experience perfectly in myths dominated by men, creating beautifully rounded and realistic characters from those created as ornaments and prizes by Homer * * The Courier * *
Nothing short of genius * * Week * *
