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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
i really enjoyed this retelling and natalie haynes is definitely on par with madeline miller! the women overlooked throughout the greek myths are represented and their stories are told so amazingly in this book and it was really refreshing to see those who are always overshadowed have their opinions and thoughts represented
This one was a Christmas gift I could not put down!
Haynes takes the ancient myths surrounding the Trojan War and shines the spotlight on those who the brutal carnage left behind: the women. From the goddesses who hedge their bets on these battles to the women of Troy who become slaves to the warriors of Greece to the one woman who waits at home in Ithaca writing endless letters while her husband goes on a 20-years-long Odyssey, patient Penelope. What an epic undertaking to weave together ancient threads anew and Haynes has made something absolutely brilliant. How these women find autonomy in systems literally built to render them powerless is mesmerizing.
I’ll end with a quote from Calliope, the Muse who wants to ensure this story is told:
“There are so many ways of telling a war. But this is the women’s war, just as much as the men’s and the poet will look upon their pain—the pain of the women who have always been relegated to the edges of the story, victims of men, survivors of men, slaves of men—and he will tell it, or he will tell nothing at all.”
Haynes takes the ancient myths surrounding the Trojan War and shines the spotlight on those who the brutal carnage left behind: the women. From the goddesses who hedge their bets on these battles to the women of Troy who become slaves to the warriors of Greece to the one woman who waits at home in Ithaca writing endless letters while her husband goes on a 20-years-long Odyssey, patient Penelope. What an epic undertaking to weave together ancient threads anew and Haynes has made something absolutely brilliant. How these women find autonomy in systems literally built to render them powerless is mesmerizing.
I’ll end with a quote from Calliope, the Muse who wants to ensure this story is told:
“There are so many ways of telling a war. But this is the women’s war, just as much as the men’s and the poet will look upon their pain—the pain of the women who have always been relegated to the edges of the story, victims of men, survivors of men, slaves of men—and he will tell it, or he will tell nothing at all.”
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Slavery, Grief
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this book, but it was a slow read for me. Definitely fed my Greek goddess girlie needs. And interesting premise to write from all female perspective to reflect on the legend of the fall of Troy. Almost like fanfiction from the well-known tale.
Main critique is sometimes the language felt anachronistic or out of time. Would recommend if you’re familiar with/like the Troy narrative.
Main critique is sometimes the language felt anachronistic or out of time. Would recommend if you’re familiar with/like the Troy narrative.
I just could not connect to this book. It goes through the stories of different female characters throughout the trojan war, but I feel like it's still based primarily around the men in their lives. I didn't feel like I actually got to know any of their characters, the actual person behind the title of wife or daughter, and therefore could not connect to the story. I had high hopes given the reviews but to me this didn't read as an inspiring novel on the untold story of women but a book telling me who was related to which male greek legend.
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Might have been higher if I had never read Circe. Didn’t feel quite as fresh and Circe benefits from a narrower focus. On a related note- my favorite chapters of this book were the Penelope chapters. Perhaps because we revisit her so much? Hard to connect to so many of the others because they are such quick flashes. Though I also really liked the Gaia chapter.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I love everything Natalie Haynes writes! Clytemnestra slept with Odysseus? I had forgotten. This is such a good read.