I’m starting a new project and YOU can be part of the process.
Many, many moons ago, I wrote a book about Penelope’s side of THE ODYSSEY. That book is currently out of print, but I want to re-release it. First I need to decide on a new title. Feedback, please! Go with a former title — see on the left — or call it something new? I’m leaning toward simplicity: just call it PENELOPE. What do you think? Leave comments, please!
Then, I need new cover art. I’ll display some ideas for that in the next few weeks. I’ll want feedback from you here, too!
Please leave comments and be part of the process, and maybe get your name in the thank you section of the book! Join me on this EPIC adventure.
Speaking of EPIC …. yes, EPIC: THE MUSICAL. Have you seen it? What do you think? For those who haven’t heard of it (and I was one of you just a week ago) it’s the story of THE ODYSSEY, put to music. Gotta find it, because I love THE ODYSSEY.
And this is why I’m re-releasing my Penelope book!
I don’t know who Penelope is … and I had to look up The Odyssey because I read the Iliad over 30 years ago and hated it and the one scene still makes me sick. I learned that was a prequel, so that makes me feel better.
But I still don’t know who Penelope is, so for people like me, maybe more than just her name for the title?
Who is she? What is her part in the story? Is she a good and likable character? Because in the book on the left, it doesn’t seem so.
And what is the book on the right? Is it connected?
Do these questions help? 🙂
“The Odyssey” is where the word/term odyssey comes from, Odysseus’ long, detoured journey home. Penelope is his wife, who waited faithfully for 20 years through the Trojan War and then his delayed return. She resisted dozens of suitors who wanted to marry her — to take over the kingdom of Ithaka, of course. SHe became the model/image of wifely virtue and faithfulness.
Oh honey, you got your hands on a bad translation. I found my translation of “The Odyssey” in 7th grade, and that made all the difference. I’ve picked up other translations over the years, and some of them were awful. The one I started with, by Richmond Latimore, is the best — it reads like poetry. Yeah, I don’t like the “Aenid” either.
And you have to take into account that there are many stories about Odysseus and Penelope and their son and the whole journey/wait that differ greatly from Homer’s poem — Odysseus was known as the trickster king, and some modern writers refer to him as a psychopath, but you have to consider the times he lived in.
ANYWAY ….
These aren’t real people, so does that matter? We’ll stick with the legends we want to enjoy.
The two covers in the post — those are the covers for the SAME book, put out by two different publishers, about 5 or 6 years apart. The first one was published by LTD Books, and is supposed to look like a Greek urn painting, and the story was titled, “The Dark One,” because Penelope was referred to as “the little, dark one,” as compared to her statuesque, golden-haired cousins, Helen and Klytemaistra, who both ended up with awful reputations. Klytemaistra killed her husband, Agamemnon the day he returned from Troy. Well, yeah, he brought a Trojan princess home as a slave and his mistress, and tried to sacrifice one of their daughters to clear the weather so the fleet could sail to Troy …. The second cover, “The Dreamer’s Loom,” was published by Amber Quill Press when LTD closed their doors. Two covers, same book.
Yeah, the questions help!
You really do need to find the Richmond Latimore translation of “The Odyssey” and read it. Or at least watch the Kirk Douglas movie, “Ulysses,” like I did in 7th grade … Although it’s very stylized and 60s glitzed — and lip-synched! It was filmed in Europe (Italy, I think), and I think Kirk Douglas was the only English-speaking member of the cast. I didn’t notice in 7th grade, but I notice now!
Does that clear some things up for you?
Yes – that helps.
What I read was The Iliad, which was a prequel to the Odyssey? Anyway, there was an awful scene of violence against a 3 year old girl that, after 30+ years, I can’t get out of my head. It was sickening.
The Odyssey sounds completely different. I think I’d like it!
You know, Pam, I value your opinion on writing ….. would you maybe want to be part of my re-launch team (well, the only one on the team so far) and read the book for review? It’s over 102K words right now, and as I’m going through it and reformatting, I’m fixing little glitches that multiple editors didn’t catch, and expanding/clarifying things, so it’s going to be even bigger ….
Sorry — don’t know why I switched Iliad for Aenid — different poet altogether. Yeah, I did struggle through the Iliad, but it was mostly about Hector and Achilles being spoiled brats — at least that was my impression. Booooooring!
If you do read The Odyssey, read the Richmond Latimore translation. If I could fall in love with it as a 7th grader, you’ll enjoy it. Then again, you might enjoy the Kirk Douglas in a miniskirt playing “Ulysses.” ….. just saying!
Well, you mentioned EPIC: the Musical (which I’ve heard roughly 1/3 of, and I’m madly in love with “The Challenge”, which is Penelope’s song!!!)… so to strike a chord with those who really like that, what would you think of “A Loom and A Challenge”, or something on that order? Somebody who’s a music geek would get drawn in through the song and that title; honestly, I love the loom part so if you don’t like my suggestion, definitely go with something that refers to the loom. XD
Thanks! How about “Penelope: The Loom and the Challenge” ?? I really do need to find EPIC and start listening. Just finished up a huge narration and editing project that’s been snagging all my time — and about to start another.
Are you familiar with the Hallmark movie of “The Odyssey” that came out in 1997 (wow, that long ago??) It took me years to find the soundtrack — I think the composer is Greek. Eduard Artemyev. I love the Penelope and Odysseus theme ….
Oooh, that’s not a bad title!
(And no… now I need to go find it! Thankye for the recommendation…)
I’m not sure when I’d have time to read. Depends on when you’d need it. I’m getting ready for cataract surgery and then vendor event season will be here and that means lots of sewing. But I’d totally help with the launch.
Maybe I can read a few chapters at a time?