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A review by tyriek
The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Of the ‘feminist’ retellings popular right now, I thought this did a better job than many examining the quiet power women held in antiquity, the oversight through history, but also providing out main character with some level of agency and respect.
It is still very frustrating that no matter how much rage or agency these women are given, they are always somehow cleaning up after men who always still get the credit.
Women are given real autonomy and respect by Odyssius in some ways.
The themes of women being ignored throughout history, and the theme of ‘what the poets will say’ is poignant- and Athena, who narrates the book, explores a little the reasons it is important to be remembered.
For half of the book, I felt it focused a lot, still, on Telemachus being a brat, and Odysseus. It was drawn out longer than it needed to be. However, the fight at the end with the women of the island defending the few men who fucked things up redeemed that in a way.
It is still very frustrating that no matter how much rage or agency these women are given, they are always somehow cleaning up after men who always still get the credit.
Women are given real autonomy and respect by Odyssius in some ways.
The themes of women being ignored throughout history, and the theme of ‘what the poets will say’ is poignant- and Athena, who narrates the book, explores a little the reasons it is important to be remembered.
For half of the book, I felt it focused a lot, still, on Telemachus being a brat, and Odysseus. It was drawn out longer than it needed to be. However, the fight at the end with the women of the island defending the few men who fucked things up redeemed that in a way.