1
of
1
The Penelopiad
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 639 ratings, 72 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK
Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock
Sorry, we're currently out of stock of The Penelopiad. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for readers interested in mythological retellings, feminist perspectives, and those who appreciate a fresh take on classic literature.
Latest News
From Page to Panel: The Rise of Graphic Novel Adaptations
Discover why graphic novel adaptations are booming, from ‘Dune’ and ‘Sapiens’ to ‘Call Me by...
We Expanded Our Board Game Range…400+ New Games in Stock Now!
Board game week has arrived at Book Hero! 🎲 We’ve expanded our range, with 400...
What We Played: A Weekend Full of Board Games
What happens when you fill an entire weekend with board games? From family games with...
Story to Screen 20/08/2026
From first-look reveals and major casting news to some of our most anticipated adaptations finally...
Ben Sanders/Ellis Blake visits Book Hero
We were so happy to have Ben Sanders pop in to Book Hero HQ this...
See more
As portrayed in Homer's Odyssey, Penelope - wife of Odysseus and cousin of the beautiful Helen of Troy - has become a symbol of wifely duty and devotion, enduring twenty years of waiting when her husband goes to fight in the Trojan War.
Margaret Atwood's acclaimed stage adaptation of Homer.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
As portrayed in Homer's Odyssey, Penelope—wife of Odysseus and cousin of the beautiful Helen of Troy—has become a symbol of wifely duty and devotion, enduring twenty years of waiting when her husband goes to fight in the Trojan War. As she fends off the attentions of a hundred greedy suitors, travelling minstrels regale her with news of Odysseus' epic adventures around the Mediterranean—slaying monsters and grappling with amorous goddesses. When Odysseus finally comes home, he kills her suitors and then, in an act that served as little more than a footnote in Homer's original story, inexplicably hangs Penelope's twelve maids.
Now, Penelope and her chorus of wronged maids tell their side of the story in a new stage version by Margaret Atwood, adapted from her own wry, witty and wise novel. The Penelopiad premiered with the Royal Shakespeare Company in association with Canada's National Arts Centre at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, in July 2007.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780571239498
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 02 August 2007
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Faber & Faber
Edition: Main
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 7.0mm
Width: 127.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 95g
Pages: 112
Also by Margaret Atwood
View all-
14% offThe Handmaid's Tale
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood is a gripping and thought-provoking dystopian novel that has left an indelible mark on contemporary literature. Set in the near-future Republic of Gilead, a theocratic and totalitarian society that has replaced the United States, the story explores themes of power, control, and female subjugation. At the centre of this harrowing world is Offred, a...Paperback$1900Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Testaments
In this electrifying sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood answers the question that has tantalised readers for decades: What happened to Offred? THE NUMBER 1 BESTSELLER AND WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE In this electrifying sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood answers the question that has tantalised readers for decades: What happened to Offred? 'The Testaments is Atwood...Paperback$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
10% offThe Handmaid's Tale
The bestselling dystopian classic that became a cultural phenomenon and inspired an award-winning TV series. THE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER Go back to where it all began with the dystopian novel behind the award-winning TV series. 'As relevant today as it was when Atwood wrote it.' Guardian I believe in the resistance as I believe there can be no...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Book of Lives
The life and times of one of the most important writers of our time, from her peripatetic childhood in the Canadian far north, through the writing of The Handmaid's Tale, to her position today as a revered truth-teller and literary icon. How does the greatest writer of our time tell her own story? Immerse yourself in the creative universe of...Hardback$5999Elsewhere:$7500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
MaddAddam
MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood, the illustrious author of The Handmaid's Tale and Alias Grace, is an astonishing conclusion to the speculative fiction series that began with Oryx and Crake and continued with The Year of the Flood. This gripping tale blends dark humour, adventure, and poignant humanity to create a thrilling and thought-provoking narrative. At the heart of MaddAddam is...Paperback$2500Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Oryx And Crake
By the author of THE HANDMAID'S TALE and ALIAS GRACE Oryx and Crake is a deeply imaginative and darkly compelling novel that transports readers to a dystopian future where genetic engineering has reached unsettling heights. The story follows Snowman, once known as Jimmy, who now lives in isolation, draped in old bedsheets and dwelling in a desolate tree. His world...Paperback$2500Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Handmaid's Tale
Compulsively readable Daily Telegraph The Sunday Times No. 1 Bestseller Discover the dystopian novel that started a phenomenon. Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She is placed in the household of The Commander, Fred Waterford - her assigned name, Offred, means 'of Fred'. She has only one function: to breed. If Offred refuses to enter into sexual...Paperback$2100Elsewhere:$2300Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Burning Questions
An exhilarating collection of non-fiction from the bestselling, double Booker Prize-winning phenomenon that is Margaret Atwood. The Sunday Times bestselling collection of funny, endlessly curious, and uncannily prescient essays from cultural icon Margaret Atwood. In it, she seeks answers to Burning Questions such as: Why do people everywhere, in all cultures, tell stories? How can we live on our planet?...Paperback$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Heart Goes Last
The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood is a gripping and cautionary tale set in a dystopian near-future where society is on the brink of collapse. Stan and Charmaine are a married couple struggling to survive in an economically devastated America. Forced to live out of their car, they grapple with precarious jobs and the constant threat from lawless gangs....Paperback$2600Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Penelopiad
The series that began in October with Karen Armstrong's compelling A Short History of Myth continues, with electrifying new works of fiction from two of the world's most loved writers. Booker Award-winner Margaret Atwood, who has reworked the traditional telling of the Odyssey narrative, says, "I've chosen to give the telling of the story to Penelope and to the twelve...Paperback$2700Elsewhere:$2900Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips late August -
The Blind Assassin
Winner of the Man Booker Prize By the author of The Handmaid's Tale and Alias Grace The Blind Assassin, a spellbinding narrative by the acclaimed Margaret Atwood, weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and mystery set against the backdrop of mid-20th century Canada. The story revolves around Iris Chase, now an elderly woman of eighty-two, who reflects on her tumultuous...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
18% off
Surfacing
In Surfacing, renowned author Margaret Atwood crafts a haunting and introspective narrative that follows a young woman on a journey back to her roots. Accompanied by her lover and two friends, she travels to a secluded island in northern Quebec, a place steeped in the memories of her childhood. Their goal is to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance...Paperback$2300Usually:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
More from Arts & Culture
View all-
Dylan's PickBold Types
A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...Hardback$5999Elsewhere:$7000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseDisney Moana: The Official Cookbook
Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...Hardback$4499Elsewhere:$5299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Buy to WinDid I Ever Tell You This?
In this unexpected memoir, written in a creative burst of just a few months in 2022, Sam Neill tells the story of how he became one of the world’s most celebrated actors, who has worked with everyone from Meryl Streep to Isabel Adjani, from Jeff Goldblum to Sean Connery, from Steven Spielberg to Jane Campion. By his own account, his...Paperback$3799Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
This Angry Pen of Mine
This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...Hardback$7299Elsewhere:$8999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
They Bloom Because of You
Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood - the hard, the magic and the fleeting. ‘A raw and honest read that makes you feel seen and understood in a way that will bring you to tears.’ - Hilary Swank ‘A book to keep close and...Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Buy to Win14% offLeaves of Grass
A collectible new Penguin Classics series offers beautiful, slim, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets. In 1855, Walt Whitman published his first collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass. The volume received great praise from leading Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. This encouragement led to what would become a lifelong project, as Whitman expanded and rewrote the volume until his death...Hardback$1900Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
37% offGreat Writers and the Cats who Owned Them
Throughout history, cats and writers have bonded together in a magical combination of comfort, companionship and inspiration. The famous authors featured here range from Samuel Johnson, whose cat Hodge dined on oysters, and Edward Lear, whose charismatic cat Foss was missing half his tail, to Margaret Mitchell, L. M. Montgomery and Dorothy L. Sayers, who rescued her kitten Blitz from...Hardback$2500Usually:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Pre-order
Home Again
Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableOut 25 Aug 2026Pre-order -
Beautiful Chaos
The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller Selected poems from bestselling author and Instagram poet, Jessica Urlichs. 'These words awaken the magic of life by celebrating the ordinary.' - Giovanna Fletcher Motherhood is messy and beautiful, and hard and humbling. We adore our children and sometimes we miss ourselves. Beautiful Chaos is a collection of raw, honest poems about motherhood, capturing everything...Paperback$2900Elsewhere:$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Iliad
When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Wreck This Journal: Now in Colour
The creative journey continues with Wreck This Journal: Now in Colour by Keri Smith, the latest and most vibrant edition of the groundbreaking series that redefined journaling. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this edition brings the playful destructiveness of the original to life in dazzling full colour, adding a dynamic new dimension to the beloved prompts. Whether you're a seasoned Wreck-er,...Paperback$2500Elsewhere:$2800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseRoadscapes
For four decades, photographer Derek Smith has explored the way New Zealanders travel, work, and express themselves through the vehicles they drive. Roadscapes is his compelling photographic journey through the heartland of New Zealand, capturing our unique car cultures and the social landscapes they inhabit across Aotearoa.Hardback$3699Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
