Weight

Weight is a retelling of the Greek myth of Atlas and Heracles, part of Canongate's myth series. The narrative follows Atlas, the Titan condemned by Zeus to hold up the cosmos for eternity. Winterson alternates between Atlas's burden and the story of Heracles, who must complete twelve labors as penance for his crimes. Their paths intersect when Heracles seeks Atlas's help to complete one of his tasks. The book incorporates elements of autobiography, with Winterson weaving her own experiences and reflections into the classical tale. She explores the nature of storytelling itself while maintaining the mythological framework. This reimagining examines universal themes of choice, destiny, and the burdens we carry - both those imposed on us and those we choose to bear. The text raises questions about how stories shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the cosmos.

Readers appreciate Winterson's creative reimagining of the Atlas myth, with many noting her poetic language and philosophical musings. Multiple reviews highlight her ability to weave personal reflection with mythology. Readers liked: - Fresh perspective on gender and power dynamics - Concise, lyrical writing style - Balance between ancient myth and modern themes Readers disliked: - Abstract passages that some found confusing - Shifts between narrative styles - Limited character development beyond Atlas - Some sections felt disconnected from the main story Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (90+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Beautiful prose but occasionally gets lost in its own metaphors" - Goodreads reviewer "The personal elements work better than the mythological sections" - Amazon reviewer "Makes you think about choice and destiny in new ways" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🔮 Jeanette Winterson chose Atlas, the Titan condemned to hold up the sky, as her mythological focus because she felt personally connected to his burden of carrying weight, both literal and metaphorical. 📚 The book is part of the Canongate Myth Series, where contemporary authors reimagine ancient myths. Other contributors include Margaret Atwood and Ali Smith. ⚡ Atlas actually appears in two distinct roles in Greek mythology: first as a leader in the war between the Titans and Olympians, then as the guardian of the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides. 🖋️ Winterson weaves her own personal narrative into the retelling, including her experience of being adopted and her complex relationship with her mother, creating a unique blend of memoir and mythology. 🌟 The novel explores modern themes like responsibility, destiny, and choice through the lens of ancient mythology, drawing parallels between Atlas's eternal punishment and contemporary human struggles with fate.