The Penelopiad is a less then 200 page novella that tells the story of Penelope and Odysseus from Penelope's perspective. This mythological story is often told, most well known by Homer, but not from her perspective. Therefore, this book isn't as epic, with the details not being focused on the cyclops or the sirens or any of the other exciting adventures. If you have any interest in mythology, then you'll enjoy this book. Even if you don't, you may like it too. It was a quick, easy read and just feels like a recanting of histories that's enjoyable to learn about. It's written from a first person perspective, and Atwood does a really good job of taking on Penelope's voice and making you see and hear Penelope's tale.
It starts at the begining of her life, where you learn of her father's attempt to murder her, and her mother's never being there as she was a naiad. And of course she speaks of her cousin Helen, as she's the reason that Odysseus is dragged off to war in the first place, therefore leaving Penelope on her own to run Ithaca for 25 some odd years. And of course, the whole culmination leads to the return of Odysseus and the slaughter that ensues. So really, if you like mythology, give this a go. It's easy enough to get through, that even if you end up not liking it, it wasn't really a waste of time. I enjoyed it, but I'm not blown away either. If not for Atwood's amazing talent, I don't know that I would have liked it as much. She really is an amazing story teller.
Next up, Equal Rites, book 3 in the Discworld series, by Terry Pratchett.
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