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Light Lunch and Literature

"The Penelopiad," by Margaret Atwood

Eat a lunch cooked on the library's Charlie Cart and socialize while discussing a novella or short story!

Registration Required.

"In Homer's account in The Odyssey, Penelope—wife of Odysseus and cousin of the beautiful Helen of Troy—is portrayed as the quintessential faithful wife, her story a salutary lesson through the ages. Left alone for twenty years when Odysseus goes off to fight in the Trojan War after the abduction of Helen, Penelope manages, in the face of scandalous rumors, to maintain the kingdom of Ithaca, bring up her wayward son, and keep over a hundred suitors at bay, simultaneously. When Odysseus finally comes home after enduring hardships, overcoming monsters, and sleeping with goddesses, he kills her suitors and—curiously—twelve of her maids.

In a splendid contemporary twist to the ancient story, Margaret Atwood has chosen to give the telling of it to Penelope and to her twelve hanged Maids, asking: "What led to the hanging of the maids, and what was Penelope really up to?" In Atwood's dazzling, playful retelling, the story becomes as wise and compassionate as it is haunting and as wildly entertaining as it is disturbing. With wit and verve, drawing on the storytelling and poetic talent for which she herself is renowned, she gives Penelope new life and reality—and sets out to provide an answer to an ancient mystery," --from Publisher. 

If you don't feel like you ever have enough time to finish a book, try a novella or short story for this lunchtime discussion. Copies of the selected titles will be available to pick up at the Adult Information Desk a month before each event.

Librarian Rachael will be cooking a light lunch on the library's Charlie Cart (a mobile-cooking unit) for you! If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please indicate when registering. 

Copies of these books will be available at the Adult Information Desk! If you need an audio or electronic version, check out our Digital Library for availability.

Event Contact: Rachael Wiegmann

Location details: Makerspace is located on the main level of the library. 

Accommodations: All participants are welcome. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at rwiegmann@portagelibrary.info in advance of your visit.

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