Anyone recognize this short story about Odysseus and Penelope

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I heard a short story read years ago on BBC. It was the story of the Odyssey with a little twist. Much of the action focused on Penelope, back in Ithica, weaving and unweaving to ward off the suitors.

 

The twist was that she would weave an image of some horrible monster, and then that would be what Odysseus would run into. And her unweaving of it would trigger the solution that got him out of trouble.

 

I only caught about the last 15 minutes. It might have been something that they read over the course of a couple days.

 

Any ideas what the title or author might have been?

[Melissa B]

Perhaps Ithaka? Basically a young adult remake of the Odyssey from Penelope's viewpoint (or the viewpoint of those that stayed behind)

 

She also wrote Troy - a teenage remake of the Iliad

 

http://www.amazon.com/Ithaka-Adele-Geras/dp/0152061045/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273713486&sr=1-1

 

http://www.amazon.com/Troy-Ad%C3%A8le-Geras/dp/0152045708/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_2

 

There is a study guide to the two books as well.

 

http://www.harcourtbooks.com/images/pdf/guides/Troy_Ithaka_TeacherGuide.pdf

 

 

FWIW - I tried to read Troy and wasn't impressed. I've never looked at Ithaka.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Perhaps Ithaka? Basically a young adult remake of the Odyssey from Penelope's viewpoint (or the viewpoint of those that stayed behind)

 

She also wrote Troy - a teenage remake of the Iliad

 

http://www.amazon.com/Ithaka-Adele-Geras/dp/0152061045/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273713486&sr=1-1

 

http://www.amazon.com/Troy-Ad%C3%A8le-Geras/dp/0152045708/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_2

 

There is a study guide to the two books as well.

 

http://www.harcourtbooks.com/images/pdf/guides/Troy_Ithaka_TeacherGuide.pdf

 

 

FWIW - I tried to read Troy and wasn't impressed. I've never looked at Ithaka.

 

I was looking at the reviews of that one to see if it sounded right. None of the reviews mentioned the thing with the shroud determining what Odysseus encountered. On the other hand, the timing of publication would have been right for a segment to have been read on BBC about when I heard the story I'm trying to place.

 

I also saw that Margaret Atwood had written a story from Penelope's POV, called the Penelopiad. But that doesn't sound right either.

 

What I remember of the story was more wry than stident. Not the secret untold story of the women left behind. Almost more of a science fiction feel to it.

 

Looking at reviews for Itaka and the other book about the women inside Troy, I saw that there are a couple books on the untold story of Helen, portraying her as a Spartan heroine. Didn't look like the sort of thing that I'd give my sons to read, but I'd be curious if anyone has read them.

 

Are there any good novels about ancient Greece that are set in a period other than the Trojan War?

[Mrs Mungo]

I also saw that Margaret Atwood had written a story from Penelope's POV, called the Penelopiad. But that doesn't sound right either.

 

No, I've read that one and it's definitely not what you described.

[Melissa B]

I was looking at the reviews of that one to see if it sounded right. None of the reviews mentioned the thing with the shroud determining what Odysseus encountered. On the other hand, the timing of publication would have been right for a segment to have been read on BBC about when I heard the story I'm trying to place.

 

I also saw that Margaret Atwood had written a story from Penelope's POV, called the Penelopiad. But that doesn't sound right either.

 

What I remember of the story was more wry than stident. Not the secret untold story of the women left behind. Almost more of a science fiction feel to it.

 

Looking at reviews for Itaka and the other book about the women inside Troy, I saw that there are a couple books on the untold story of Helen, portraying her as a Spartan heroine. Didn't look like the sort of thing that I'd give my sons to read, but I'd be curious if anyone has read them.

 

Are there any good novels about ancient Greece that are set in a period other than the Trojan War?

 

I haven't read Ithaka, but some of the study guide questions seem to imply that Penelope's weaving predicts what happens to Odysseus.

 

I like Mary Renault for novels set in Ancient Greece and Rome. But they are young adult and up. A few mature scenes, etc.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I haven't read Ithaka, but some of the study guide questions seem to imply that Penelope's weaving predicts what happens to Odysseus.

 

I like Mary Renault for novels set in Ancient Greece and Rome. But they are young adult and up. A few mature scenes, etc.

 

I found the study guide and you're right, it does seem like there is a back and forth between the shroud and Odysseus' adventures.

 

Funny, from the descriptions of the book on Amazon, I wouldn't think that this is one that I'd like. But I remember finding the excerpt very interesting. May have to get a copy of this and check out the whole story.