The Penelopiad

About “The Penelopiad”

Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad retells the story of Odysseus and Penelope from the perspectives of Penelope and the twelve maids hanged for disloyalty. Atwood draws on mythic material beyond Homer's Odyssey, focusing on Penelope's background, her marriage, and the rumors about her. The maids serve as a Chorus, raising questions about why they were hanged and what Penelope was really doing during Odysseus's absence. Atwood challenges the traditional version of the story, which she finds inconsistent. The novel presents a cycle of stories centered on Penelope, shaped by the voices of the maids. Atwood, known for The Handmaid's Tale and The Blind Assassin, reimagines the myth to highlight overlooked perspectives.