tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post121310627869403061..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: The Penelopiad by Margaret AtwoodBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-5182931679939349072021-08-28T08:09:46.545-04:002021-08-28T08:09:46.545-04:00i'm confused what is the evidence shown that P...i'm confused what is the evidence shown that Penelope has in fact cheated/slept with the suitors?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-5847461440503156332017-02-03T09:25:37.576-05:002017-02-03T09:25:37.576-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.janny magsayohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11428004780129683477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16097779979168818792015-08-10T11:30:37.007-04:002015-08-10T11:30:37.007-04:00Hi Hilda - Penelope as an unreliable narrator adds...Hi Hilda - Penelope as an unreliable narrator adds so much complexity to this work as in it entirety, the book is very sympathetic to her.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-1005202819808988232015-08-10T00:31:50.716-04:002015-08-10T00:31:50.716-04:00This looks like a good one. I like the flawed, dar...This looks like a good one. I like the flawed, dark characters, and the idea of Penelope as an unreliable narrator.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-68747993447529655372015-07-28T17:41:00.687-04:002015-07-28T17:41:00.687-04:00Hi Lory - Reading this version I can see how this ...Hi Lory - Reading this version I can see how this might make a good play. There is already a chorus of maids, and as this is written in first person, Penelope spends most of the time addressing the reader.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-33407392490696409992015-07-28T17:38:56.185-04:002015-07-28T17:38:56.185-04:00Hi Caroline - I am the same way. I do not like to ...Hi Caroline - I am the same way. I do not like to read someone else's commentary until I have finished a book and written mine. I fear that I will inadvertently steal their ideas.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-87216571293824090402015-07-28T11:16:10.506-04:002015-07-28T11:16:10.506-04:00That is interesting about the book also being a pl...That is interesting about the book also being a play -- I would like to hunt that down and see how she did that. Though the modern slant on ancient mythology is not my favorite thing (I prefer books that try to get more into the mindset of the past), I did appreciate how playful and thought-provoking Atwood's treatment was. Glad you found it a worthwhile read.Loryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08519976394732029323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52734695517045299542015-07-28T07:47:51.018-04:002015-07-28T07:47:51.018-04:00I'll return to your review once I've read ...I'll return to your review once I've read it will should happen soon. Not so much because of the spoilers but because I prefer reading a review of a book I'm about to read afterwards - to compare - and not beinfluenced by your interpretations. Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-82310458061994615392015-07-27T09:57:19.519-04:002015-07-27T09:57:19.519-04:00Hi Naida - Atwood is one of my favorite living wri...Hi Naida - Atwood is one of my favorite living writers. In addition to this book I highly recommend both Surfacing and the Handmaid's Tale. <br /><br />That is indeed a great quote.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52905815414175731392015-07-27T09:25:45.651-04:002015-07-27T09:25:45.651-04:00I enjoyed your review Brian. Margaret Atwood has b...I enjoyed your review Brian. Margaret Atwood has been on my TBR list for some time now, The Penelopiad sounds like a well written re-telling. That passage you quoted about Penelope and Odysseus being liars is humorous. <br />Glad you enjoyed this one! The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-69285226919463164592015-07-26T19:37:08.006-04:002015-07-26T19:37:08.006-04:00Hi Harvee - When I first heard about this concept ...Hi Harvee - When I first heard about this concept I was immediately fascinated.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-76430043065383632202015-07-26T19:28:22.300-04:002015-07-26T19:28:22.300-04:00Fascinating to learn about this book, Brian, and t...Fascinating to learn about this book, Brian, and to see what Atwood tried to do!Harveehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490108303790217277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-4116412835758534302015-07-26T10:31:06.740-04:002015-07-26T10:31:06.740-04:00Hi Tracy -Thabks for the good word.
I found this...Hi Tracy -Thabks for the good word. <br /><br />I found this very different from other Atwood that I have read. With that, it was excellent in its own way. If you decide to read it I would love to know what you think.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-63778922069607916522015-07-26T10:29:19.677-04:002015-07-26T10:29:19.677-04:00Hi Lainy - I too am really wary of the rash of ret...Hi Lainy - I too am really wary of the rash of retellings of classic fiction that seem so popular these days. I do think that stories about the Odyssey and Iliad are a little different as there have been retellings from different points of view from the beginning.<br /><br />If you read this I would love to know what you thought about it.<br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-70084410985782206642015-07-26T09:49:35.801-04:002015-07-26T09:49:35.801-04:00At last, an author we have in common. Though I hav...At last, an author we have in common. Though I haven't read this book I have read and enjoyed several of her other books. Away to see if we have this on our shelves, thanks for yet another great post.Felicity Grace Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852843882007267665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28684662202681063212015-07-26T06:45:03.849-04:002015-07-26T06:45:03.849-04:00I haven't read this and like others often skep...I haven't read this and like others often skeptical of revisiting a tale. However I love the idea of hearing from a characters point of view that wasn't covered in the original story.<br /><br />Thought provoking review as always Brian and I may give this a go when before reading this I most likely wouldn't not have.<br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-46362889517555311802015-07-24T03:27:42.524-04:002015-07-24T03:27:42.524-04:00Hi Maria - I have heard of The Mists of Avalon. I ...Hi Maria - I have heard of The Mists of Avalon. I myself would want to brush up on the Arthurian legends before giving it a read though.<br /><br />It is interesting that in the Odyssey many pages, and subsequently mush attention is given to the killing of the suitors. Only a few lines are devoted to the killing of the maids. I think that one of Atwood's points here is to give a voice to those who historically have none.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-47381260291550457102015-07-23T23:47:18.834-04:002015-07-23T23:47:18.834-04:00I had no idea that Atwood had written something li...I had no idea that Atwood had written something like this, so I really appreciate this review, Brian! <br /><br />This post was a totally fascinating read! I greatly enjoyed your analysis of Atwood's work, and especially in reference to the plight of the women of the time. Since I only read parts of the Odyssey in high school, I never knew that Odysseus had ordered the execution of Penelope's maids, as well as the suitors. I loved the passage you quoted, in which the maids demand justice from the Furies, and I liked Atwood's subtle humor in detailing the places Odysseus might hide, such as "marginal notes and theses". <br /><br />I definitely need to get out my copy of "The Odyssey", and refresh my memory of those passages I am more familiar with, as well as actually read the entire work. <br /><br />Atwood's retelling of this classic, from Penelope's point of view, reminds me of a similar retelling, but of the tales of King Arthur, done by Marion Zimmer Bradley. This book, which you've most likely heard of, is titled "The Mists of Avalon", and it retells the Arthurian tales from the point of view of the women in the original stories, such as Guinevere. I must sheepishly admit that I have not read it, although it IS in my possession.....<br /><br />You know, I think there are probably quite a few literary classics that would benefit from a retelling, but from a woman's point of view. We thus find that the original story will have quite a different impact and meaning when read and reviewed, whether by a man or a woman!<br /><br />I must quickly find this book and add it to my collection! <br /><br />Thanks for the very informative, well-written post!! : ) Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-79242542900691101402015-07-22T17:37:40.571-04:002015-07-22T17:37:40.571-04:00Brian, I think you nail it when you point out that...Brian, I think you nail it when you point out that excess politics can damage a book's qualities; I think the Oryx and Crake trilogy comes close to suffering this shortcoming. But I might be over-reacting. And, having seen Atwood interviews and essays, I am almost certain she and I would vote differently if I were to live and vote in Canada. Still, I think she is a very good writer.R.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13220814349193561823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-49698762366514774322015-07-22T17:32:05.277-04:002015-07-22T17:32:05.277-04:00Hi Blaine - Think you for stopping by.
I have re...Hi Blaine - Think you for stopping by. <br /><br />I have read Cat's Eye, The Handmaid's Tale, and Surfacing by Atwood. Though I generally agree with her politics, I do think that a book being too political tends to get in the way of greatness.This is true regardless of my sentiments on the particular politics. I sometimes think that might be factor with The Handmaids' Tale. <br /><br />I did not find an issue with Surfacing however, which, in my opinion, is a great novel. <br /><br />I do not consider this book political all all.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-63356693216177810292015-07-22T17:25:37.263-04:002015-07-22T17:25:37.263-04:00Hi Gary - I read that this was part of the Canonga...Hi Gary - I read that this was part of the Canongate series. I have not read any of the other works however. I would like to give some a try. Thanks for the list.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-65245911284450101742015-07-22T14:44:54.783-04:002015-07-22T14:44:54.783-04:00Good afternoon, even though my new (which I hope y...Good afternoon, even though my new (which I hope you will visit) keeps me focused almost exclusively on Shakespeare, I am nevertheless so intrigued by your posting that I will be seeking out this book in the library. I've read some of Atwood in the past, and often her transparent political motives bother me. Perhaps I need to be less critical of AtwoodR.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13220814349193561823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-89802755114146404092015-07-22T06:33:54.829-04:002015-07-22T06:33:54.829-04:00Hi Brian
This is part of the Canongate myth serie...Hi Brian<br /><br />This is part of the Canongate myth series, of which I read another one recently & want to explore more, as it has some wonderful writers reinterpreting the myths in their own style. Authors in the series include: Margaret Atwood, Karen Armstrong, AS Byatt, David Grossman, Milton Hatoum, Natsuo Kirino, Alexander McCall Smith, Tomás Eloy Martínez, Victor Pelevin, Ali Smith, Su Tong, Dubravka Ugresic, Salley Vickers and Jeanette Winterson.@parridhlanternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793548943992250238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-43953614243623616042015-07-22T03:20:52.360-04:002015-07-22T03:20:52.360-04:00Hi JoAnn - I recently read a new fairly new transl...Hi JoAnn - I recently read a new fairly new translation of the Odyssey by Stephen Mitchell. I found it to be very accessible while retaining the grandeur of the work. I highly recommend it.<br /><br />I read Cat's Eye but I have not the Robber bride, though I have heard good things about it.<br /><br />If you have not read them, I highly recommend both Surfacing as well as the Handmaid's Tale, I thought that they were both superb.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-75219973187865824292015-07-21T21:11:02.003-04:002015-07-21T21:11:02.003-04:00Mythology has always been a real weakness for me. ...Mythology has always been a real weakness for me. My favorite Atwood novels are Cat's Eye and Robber Bride, but maybe I should give The Odyssey another try and then read The Penelopiad.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.com