First of all, let me offer a disclaimer. I love Margaret Atwood. I adore her prose, her stories, her imagery, her turns of phrase. I like her poetry a whole lot. I have read nearly all her books. (I have some only in first editions, which are long out of print. When I find reading copies, I'll knock these off too!). The Odyssey is also my all-time favorite novel, and, IMHO, one of the most important books ever written.
So, I picked up Penelopiad with high hopes, but I was sadly disappointed. Yes, it is clever, and yes I know teenagers are difficult -- I got that from Socrates. There are some cute modern phrases every parent has said to every teen, but the cuteness wore off quickly. I don't want cute from Atwood, I want truth, and solid emotions, and insights into characters. The ending was particularly annoying. Three stars.
--Chiron, 3/31/07
2 comments:
Dear CHiron: I enjoy your blog. Are you teaching at Baylor?
No, I am teaching at McLennan Community College. I have a MA from Baylor though. I am also working on a MFA in fine arts.
I also have a law degree. I guess I am just a professional student!
-Chiron
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