A spare, quick read, outlining the tale of Odysseus’ Penelope from her own point of view, and his execution of twelve of her maids (which seems quite brutal from our modern perspective) upon his return from his voyages.

Atwood’s retelling pieces together scattered bits from various classical sources to build a more complete picture of the relationship between Penelope, Odysseus, the doomed maids and other characters in her domestic life.

The careful, delicate prose of the main narrative is punctuated by verse-chapters in chorus form, ostensibly performed by the maids, a la Greek drama of the era. It’s a nice touch, though Atwood’s style is sometimes so sparse as to make the stanzas feel a bit lightweight or oversimplified. But the overall effect is rhythmic and appropriate.

I do recommend reading–or at least having a passing familiarity with–The Odyssey and the Iliad before this book, as it will have deeper meaning. But it’s not absolutely essential–Atwood gives you some background and fills in some gaps. You’ll learn something, either way.

In all, the story is both heavy and light at the same time, singsong and dirge-like, sad and triumphant. Recommended.