Since I’m full of a cold and all the advice I’ve been given involves staying inside, tucked up warm and cosy, it seems the ideal environment for a good read! And what better than finishing The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood which is my book group’s choice this month?
I always enjoy reading Margaret Atwood and this book is no exception. You know when people ask who’d you invite, living or dead, to an imaginary dinner party? Well, in addition to Margaret Atwood (very much alive) I’d definitely invite Penelope (very much not alive!) if she’s anything like the way she’s portrayed in this book. (Dorothy Parker and Gertrude Bell would also be high on my list of guest btw)
The book tells the story of Penelope, wife of Odysseus – he of Greek tragedy fame (Homer’s The Odyssey) – with wit and humour and brings to life a woman who history has condemned to be continually judged poorly against her beautiful cousin Helen (of Troy).
I love the image of us all arriving in the afterlife with a sack containing words: words that we’ve spoken, words that we’ve heard and words that have been said about us. Fantastic – and I hope to have a huge sack of words when my time comes!
Is there anybody out there? And have you read The Penelopiad? If so, did you enjoy it?
Okay, back to Penelope …
alkitaba 