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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
It was pretty good, got dull in some places, but I love historical fiction/mythology.
I've listened to the audio book (about 32 hours long) twice, 'nuff said.
So I'm one of those people who adores charity book shopping - adores it to the point of buying anything that looks vaguely interesting, and then giving most of it away a few months later during a bookshelf clear out. Helen of Troy was one of my impulse buys, and when clearing my shelves, I almost threw it out - almost. But Greek and Roman mythology has always fascinated me, and is actually what got me into historical fiction in the first place. Although I'm interested in classical mythology, I don't think I'd be captivated by learning about it in an academic, factual sense - I much prefer reading a partially-factual, partially-fictional retelling, which is what this is.
It's a hefty book - over 700 pages long, something I'm not really used to outside of a George R. R. Martin book, but I found that the chapters flew past - the author has such a way with words and constructing a story that before you know it, you're already halfway through the book. I absolutely submerged myself within this tale, and I grew fond of George's version of Helen. I can't pretend I know much about the original story, but Helen of Troy is always portrayed as a temptress, a cheater, someone who is selfish and cold-hearted. But through George's retelling, we see the other side of the story - not just the side that states some hot chick made two cities fight. It was an interesting read, and it has definitely renewed my curiosity of Greek mythology.
It's a hefty book - over 700 pages long, something I'm not really used to outside of a George R. R. Martin book, but I found that the chapters flew past - the author has such a way with words and constructing a story that before you know it, you're already halfway through the book. I absolutely submerged myself within this tale, and I grew fond of George's version of Helen. I can't pretend I know much about the original story, but Helen of Troy is always portrayed as a temptress, a cheater, someone who is selfish and cold-hearted. But through George's retelling, we see the other side of the story - not just the side that states some hot chick made two cities fight. It was an interesting read, and it has definitely renewed my curiosity of Greek mythology.
3.5
Loved the first part but then it just kind of drug on. I think it definitely could have been shorter.
Loved the first part but then it just kind of drug on. I think it definitely could have been shorter.
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were both good and bad things about this book. For starters, it was very well researched. While reading I felt very much immersed in ancient Greek culture. The way the author portrayed ancient Greek religion was excellent. These were not just old myths and legends people found interesting to share with one another, they were actual beliefs, and the author treated them as if they were real (just as the characters would have believed). I really appreciated that. Historically, I learned a lot about the Trojan War, and the legends behind Helen of Troy.
As well researched as this book was, however, I felt it lacking as a novel. The story was a bit dry and boring at times, there were a couple of things that I felt were left unresolved by the end of the book, and at times the dialog seemed to be extremely anachronistic. Overall, I think she would have been better off writing a text book on ancient Greece, rather than attempting to dramatize it.
As well researched as this book was, however, I felt it lacking as a novel. The story was a bit dry and boring at times, there were a couple of things that I felt were left unresolved by the end of the book, and at times the dialog seemed to be extremely anachronistic. Overall, I think she would have been better off writing a text book on ancient Greece, rather than attempting to dramatize it.
I got pretty obsessed with mythology there for a moment but this book honestly killed the vibe a little bit. That’s not to say this book was terrible, but there were just some things that didn’t work for me.
This is a book about, obviously, Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world who started a war that killed thousands of Greeks. Helen is a figure steeped in myth, and the author does a good job of laying out all the prophecies and in a straightforward manner so you know how you got to each point in the book. She also goes into detail about why Helen made the decisions she did, her influences, etc which I was appreciative of.
However, I found myself bored more than once. George got very detail heavy at certain points, describing things that weren’t important to the story as a whole and I ended up skimming through multiples pages. So, the pacing left something to be desired.
I also had an issue with the passage of time in this book. If you’re familiar with the Trojan war at all, you know it lasted ten years. Well the way his book was written, you would think it took place all in the span of a few months and then all of a sudden everyone is old.
Aside from that, it was a decent book. Nothing to swoon about, but I’m not mad I read it. Solid 3 Stars.
This is a book about, obviously, Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world who started a war that killed thousands of Greeks. Helen is a figure steeped in myth, and the author does a good job of laying out all the prophecies and in a straightforward manner so you know how you got to each point in the book. She also goes into detail about why Helen made the decisions she did, her influences, etc which I was appreciative of.
However, I found myself bored more than once. George got very detail heavy at certain points, describing things that weren’t important to the story as a whole and I ended up skimming through multiples pages. So, the pacing left something to be desired.
I also had an issue with the passage of time in this book. If you’re familiar with the Trojan war at all, you know it lasted ten years. Well the way his book was written, you would think it took place all in the span of a few months and then all of a sudden everyone is old.
Aside from that, it was a decent book. Nothing to swoon about, but I’m not mad I read it. Solid 3 Stars.
This review was in two parts!
https://adventuresinnonsense.com/book-reviews/book-review-helen-of-troy/
https://adventuresinnonsense.com/book-reviews/finished-helen-of-troy/
https://adventuresinnonsense.com/book-reviews/book-review-helen-of-troy/
https://adventuresinnonsense.com/book-reviews/finished-helen-of-troy/
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the book I go by whenever I have to know something about the Illiad.