MargaretAtwoodreturnswithashrewd,funny,andinsightfulretellingofthemythofOdysseusfromthepointofviewofPenelope.Describingherownremarkablevision,theauthorwritesintheforeword,I'vechosentogivethetellingofthestorytoPenelopeandtothetwelvehangedmaids.ThemaidsformachantingandsingingChorus,whichfocusesontwoquestionsthatmustposethemselvesafteranyclosereadingoftheOdyssey:Whatledtothehangingofthemaids,andwhatwasPenelopereallyupto?ThestoryastoldintheOdysseydoesn'tholdwater:therearetoomanyinconsistencies.I'vealwaysbeenhauntedbythehangedmaidsand,inThePenelopiad,soisPenelopeherself."Oneofthehighpointsofliteraryfictionin2005,thiscriticallyacclaimedstoryfoundavastaudienceandisfinallyavailableinpaperback.