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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Murder, War
Moderate: Suicide, Grief
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fascinating read because the book is written in the voice of Helen, as she recounts her life story.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
What I liked about Helen of Troy:
Helen of Troy by Margaret George is a well-researched and engaging novel that tells the story of the legendary Greek woman from her point of view. As a fan of Greek mythology and historical fiction, I appreciated Margaret's perspective and writing style. She mastered weaving historical and mythological elements into a seamless and believable narrative, without overwhelming the reader.
The book is told from Helen's point of view, which is a refreshing change from the traditional male-centric perspective of Greek mythology. This allowed me to see the events of the Trojan War through her eyes and to understand her motivations. Helen is a complex and well-developed character, and Margaret did a great job of bringing her to life. As the reader, I was drawn into Helen's world and came to understand her motivations and choices.
What I disliked about Helen of Troy:
Paris! Regardless of how Paris is depicted in a story, my dislike for him remains unwavering. In Helen of Troy, it felt like his introduction was an attempt to make amends for those who shared my feelings, which probably played a role in diminishing my overall enjoyment of the narrative. In my perspective, Paris consistently appears whiny, self-absorbed, and solely focused on his own interests and desires.
What I think would have made Helen of Troy better:
Despite several positive aspects, the book began to drag, particularly during their time in Troy. I found it increasingly challenging to stay engaged with the story, and while I can't precisely pinpoint the reason for this disconnect, I suspect it may be linked to Helen's character as the narrator. Helen comes across as a somewhat lifeless and emotionally distant storyteller, adopting the role of an observer rather than an active participant in the unfolding events. Even her passionate affair with Paris, a pivotal moment leading to the downfall of Troy, failed to evoke a strong emotional response. I craved and expected more empathy and vitality from Helen, especially since the book was narrated from her perspective and explored her life.
Also, I'm unsure if it was an issue with my edition or a publishing oversight, but there were numerous occurrences where pages repeated themselves. This proved to be frustrating, as I had to reread the same content, and it made the already long book feel even longer.
Would I recommend Helen of Troy by Margaret George:
Helen of Troy is full of interesting facts about Greek mythology and culture, and it is clear that Margaret has a deep understanding of the subject matter. However, the book is more than just a history lesson - it is also a compelling story about love, loss, and war. It is a well-written and informative book that is sure to appeal to fans of Greek mythology and historical fiction alike.
****
Helen of Troy traces the life of Helen, a princess destined for beauty, as she marries Menelaus and becomes Queen of Sparta. Aphrodite's intervention leads her into encounters with various figures during the Trojan War, including her passionate affair with Paris. Following Troy's fall, Helen is reunited with Menelaus and her estranged daughter, Hermione. The novel explores her struggles, reunions, and reconciliations, crafting a masterful tale that concludes with Helen finding peace.
Helen of Troy by Margaret George is a well-researched and engaging novel that tells the story of the legendary Greek woman from her point of view. As a fan of Greek mythology and historical fiction, I appreciated Margaret's perspective and writing style. She mastered weaving historical and mythological elements into a seamless and believable narrative, without overwhelming the reader.
The book is told from Helen's point of view, which is a refreshing change from the traditional male-centric perspective of Greek mythology. This allowed me to see the events of the Trojan War through her eyes and to understand her motivations. Helen is a complex and well-developed character, and Margaret did a great job of bringing her to life. As the reader, I was drawn into Helen's world and came to understand her motivations and choices.
What I disliked about Helen of Troy:
Paris! Regardless of how Paris is depicted in a story, my dislike for him remains unwavering. In Helen of Troy, it felt like his introduction was an attempt to make amends for those who shared my feelings, which probably played a role in diminishing my overall enjoyment of the narrative. In my perspective, Paris consistently appears whiny, self-absorbed, and solely focused on his own interests and desires.
What I think would have made Helen of Troy better:
Despite several positive aspects, the book began to drag, particularly during their time in Troy. I found it increasingly challenging to stay engaged with the story, and while I can't precisely pinpoint the reason for this disconnect, I suspect it may be linked to Helen's character as the narrator. Helen comes across as a somewhat lifeless and emotionally distant storyteller, adopting the role of an observer rather than an active participant in the unfolding events. Even her passionate affair with Paris, a pivotal moment leading to the downfall of Troy, failed to evoke a strong emotional response. I craved and expected more empathy and vitality from Helen, especially since the book was narrated from her perspective and explored her life.
Also, I'm unsure if it was an issue with my edition or a publishing oversight, but there were numerous occurrences where pages repeated themselves. This proved to be frustrating, as I had to reread the same content, and it made the already long book feel even longer.
Would I recommend Helen of Troy by Margaret George:
Helen of Troy is full of interesting facts about Greek mythology and culture, and it is clear that Margaret has a deep understanding of the subject matter. However, the book is more than just a history lesson - it is also a compelling story about love, loss, and war. It is a well-written and informative book that is sure to appeal to fans of Greek mythology and historical fiction alike.
****
Helen of Troy traces the life of Helen, a princess destined for beauty, as she marries Menelaus and becomes Queen of Sparta. Aphrodite's intervention leads her into encounters with various figures during the Trojan War, including her passionate affair with Paris. Following Troy's fall, Helen is reunited with Menelaus and her estranged daughter, Hermione. The novel explores her struggles, reunions, and reconciliations, crafting a masterful tale that concludes with Helen finding peace.
This book was absolutely wonderful. As someone who has always loved Greek mythology, I really enjoyed reading this.
Helen of Troy plunges the reader into the world of the Ancient (and often mythical) Greeks. Regardless of historical accuracy regarding the Trojan War or what Greece was actually like during this time, I felt immersed in the world in which Helen lived and grew. I loved seeing the war through her eyes.
There were definitely some challenges I faced while reading this book. It was difficult to relate to Helen when she fell in love with Paris (she being 25, him being about 16). The scenes describing their romance can be quite off-putting for a modern reader. I don't know if those are the actual supposed ages of Helen and Paris when they met and fell in love, but if so I'm glad the author didn't change it just to make things more comfortable for modern readers. Though it would definitely be strange if there is no speculation as to how old Paris and Helen were and the author just chose those ages for fun.
Either way, this was a wonderful read and I hope to read more by this author in the future.
Helen of Troy plunges the reader into the world of the Ancient (and often mythical) Greeks. Regardless of historical accuracy regarding the Trojan War or what Greece was actually like during this time, I felt immersed in the world in which Helen lived and grew. I loved seeing the war through her eyes.
There were definitely some challenges I faced while reading this book. It was difficult to relate to Helen when she fell in love with Paris (she being 25, him being about 16). The scenes describing their romance can be quite off-putting for a modern reader. I don't know if those are the actual supposed ages of Helen and Paris when they met and fell in love, but if so I'm glad the author didn't change it just to make things more comfortable for modern readers. Though it would definitely be strange if there is no speculation as to how old Paris and Helen were and the author just chose those ages for fun.
Either way, this was a wonderful read and I hope to read more by this author in the future.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was beautifully written, but I couldn't connect with Helen at all. I'm glad I read it, but I doubt I'll ever reread it unless I have to.
Read as a part of my degree dissertation. A really good retelling of Helen's story, definitely for those who are engaged with myth and those who are just looking for a good read.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes