The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North

Book Review

Matthew Johns

This is the last book in North’s ‘Songs of Penelope’ series, telling the previously mostly untold story of Penelope of Ithaca – the long-suffering wife of Odysseus. Married at a young age, and then her husband sailed off to war, disappearing for 20 years, Penelope has had rather a tough time at home. She’s had to contend with a multitude of suitors all vying for her hand under the supposition that if Odysseus has been gone that long, he must be dead – so she should pick one of them and remarry. She’s fought off the legendary Spartan king Menelaus, and kept the isle of Ithaca safe from pirates and invaders, maintaining peace and even a degree of prosperity. All impressive enough deeds, but even more so in ancient Greece, where women are seen as inferior, second-class citizens. Her son sailed off to find his father, returned in the previous book with somewhat of a chip on his shoulder, and in this final book, things don’t exactly get better…

This novel is narrated by Athena, the goddess of war, wisdom and handicraft, while the previous was narrated by the goddess of love, Aphrodite. North does a great job in changing the narrative tone and capturing the essence of both in how they tell the stories – the things that they each focus on, and how they interact with their divine families and peers. She makes the goddesses appear much more relatable than the distant pantheon residing on Mouth Olympus that most of us are familiar with.

Having spent 20 years ruling the isle of Ithaca with her unseen council and army of women, Penelope receives a beggar into her court. A scruffy man who had been a sailor and knew of her husband, who seems to pay very close attention to all things occurring around him in the court. Not being a fool, Penelope realises very quickly that this is her long-lost husband in a not very good disguise. She recognises that her time of peace is almost ended, and that her husband will inevitably bring only complications with him. It soon becomes apparent that he plans to massacre the many suitors that have besieged Penelope for years, and with their son Telemachus whispering in his ear, their plans extend to punishing the women in the court for incorrectly perceived unfaithfulness.

Needless to say, the peace that Penelope had worked so hard to maintain for 20 years soon goes down the pan as Odysseus and Telemachus murder all the suitors and stack their bodies outside. Escaping to his father Laertes’ farm, they find themselves under siege as the irate fathers of the murdered suitors attack and try to take their revenge. Odysseus tries to slowly rebuild a relationship with his wife while existing together in the very stressful environment of a siege. He gradually comes to understand just how much she had done to protect their people and their treasured isle, but will it come too late for them as the attackers press for an advantage?

North’s writing is almost poetic, flowing off the page, evoking visions of ancient Greece, a fort under siege, and even the blood-soaked massacre of the suitors. She captures Penelope’s pain and anger superbly, as well as Odysseus’ slowly dawning realisation that he’s been a bit of a silly boy with all of his massacring. She masterfully (mistressfully?) depicts Penelope’s frustration with her own son’s prejudices and quick temper, as well as a frustration with herself for not having been a better mother. Penelope’s stoicness, pragmatism and razor sharp intelligence come out so well – a great feminine icon and role model, in stark contrast to her supposedly heroic husband.

This is an emotional book – as internal and external battles wage, as the reunited couple slowly begin to try to build a new relationship, as Odysseus tries come to terms with what he’s done, and realises a little too late that he’ll do anything to protect his wife and son. A joy to read, and brings a whole new depth of meaning to the tale of Odysseus.