"Penelope's Daughter" by Laurel Corona
I absolutely love books about Greek Mythology. A few months ago, I was perusing through the Penguin calendar on new releases, and I found this gem by Laurel Corona. At first, I was a bit put off that someone could write a book about one of the most popular stories ever told and make additions. Penelope and Odysseus could not have possibly had a daughter too! No no no! However, I was very interested to see how this would play out. Needless to say, I was not disappointed one bit by "Penelope's Daughter." It chronicles the life of Xanthe, a daughter conceived before Odysseus left for Troy. In this story, Xanthe is brave, industrious, and wise unlike her brother, Telemachus. One problem I had with this book was Telemachus' role. Now, I am all for the Feminist ideal of having Xanthe be a hero, but poor Telemachus is portrayed as a lost boy with no father figure and who is pretty gutless.
As Xanthe grows older, Penelope fears for her safety from the many suitors living in the megaron of Ithaca. Penelope secretly sends Xanthe to Sparta so she can be safe from danger. The best part of the book is the middle which includes Xanthe's tutelage under Helen of Sparta herself. The book takes a bit of an adult turn in the middle, which I did not expect but did appreciate. I like books that focus on the real rituals that have been talked about in other ancient Greek texts but hardly ever included. "Some things are meant to be experienced once, and then remembered forever." (pg. 202) Corona introduces Hermione, Helen and Menelaus' daughter, to the story to show even more feminine perspective.
This book is a fantastic read, but I will warn you, it is a slow one. I was in the mood for a slower book, so this fit right in. It may be too slow for others. As a work of fiction, I was impressed with Corona's imagery and imagination. I recommend this book to any lover of Greek mythology who wants to read something more about the women behind the scenes of the most popular stories.
Jen's Rating: ****