Margaret Atwood's novel "Orpheus" is a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, but with a modern twist. In Atwood's version, the protagonist is a musician named Orpheus who is struggling to come to terms with the recent death of his wife, Eurydice.
Orpheus is a talented musician and composer, but he has lost his passion for music since Eurydice's death. He finds solace in the company of his friends, including a group of musicians who share his love of classical music. However, Orpheus is haunted by the memory of Eurydice and cannot seem to move on with his life.
One day, Orpheus receives a mysterious invitation to perform at a underground club called the Pit. The club is a secret society that is rumored to be connected to the underworld, and Orpheus is intrigued by the opportunity to perform in such an exclusive setting. Despite his reservations, Orpheus decides to accept the invitation and perform at the Pit.
At the club, Orpheus is transported to a world of darkness and mystery, where he encounters a woman who claims to be Eurydice. Eurydice tells Orpheus that she is not really dead, but rather trapped in the underworld. She begs Orpheus to help her escape and return to the land of the living.
Orpheus is torn between his desire to help Eurydice and his fear of the unknown. He eventually agrees to help Eurydice, and together they embark on a journey through the underworld in search of a way out. Along the way, they encounter a number of obstacles and challenges, including the wrath of the god Hades and the temptation of the Sirens.
In the end, Orpheus is able to use his music to charm Hades and secure Eurydice's release from the underworld. However, as in the original myth, Orpheus is not allowed to look back at Eurydice until they are both safely out of the underworld. Orpheus is unable to resist the temptation to check on Eurydice, and as a result, she is pulled back into the underworld and Orpheus is left alone once again.
Atwood's "Orpheus" is a poignant and thought-provoking retelling of the classic myth that explores themes of loss, grief, and the power of music to transcend even death. It is a powerful and moving novel that will resonate with readers of all ages.