Penelopiad

Penelope. Immortalised in legend and myth as the devoted wife of the glorious Odysseus, silently weaving and unpicking and weaving again as she waits for her husband's return. Now Penelope wanders the underworld, spinning a different kind of thread: her own side of the story - a tale of lust, greed and murder. The Myths series brings together some of the world's finest writers, each of whom has retold a myth in a contemporary and memorable way. Authors in the series include Karen Armstrong, Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, David Grossman, Natsuo Kirino, Alexander McCall Smith, Philip Pullman, Ali Smith and Jeanette Winterson.

Review: As potent as a curse * * Sunday Times * *

Fabulous . . . Determinedly irreverent * * New York Times * *

A witty desecration . . . Atwood plays with vigour and ingenuity * * Observer * *

Atwood takes Penelope's part with tremendous verve . . . she explores the very nature of mythic story-telling -- MARY BEARD * * Guardian * *

Pragmatic, clever, domestic, mournful, Penelope is a perfect Atwood heroine * * Spectator * *

Half Dorothy Parker, half Desperate Housewives * * Independent * *

Prizes: Short-listed for Hearst Big Book 2018 (UK).