The Penelopiad

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood reimagines The Odyssey from the woman who’s usually kept in the wings, delivering a sharp, feminist retelling that’s as playful as it is unsettling. If you love myth retellings that question who gets remembered—and why—this one’s a treat.

From the underworld, Penelope looks back on her life in Ithaca: a kingdom under pressure, a marriage shaped by absence, and the daily performance of loyalty that legend made famous. But Atwood threads in darker currents—lust, greed and murder—while Penelope and the chorus of twelve maids offer competing versions of what really happened, and what it cost.

Perfect for readers of literary fiction, Greek mythology, and book-club favourites that spark debate, especially fans of clever, subversive storytelling.

Add it to your shelf and hear a classic story speak in a very different voice.