Reviews

“It was one of those moments that I think everybody experiences - and they don't have to be dramatic - when things begin to change; and you know there's no point ruminating about it, because thinking isn't going to help you understand. You're not ready to understand it yet; you have to live your way into the meaning.”

This quote sums up pretty much everything you need to know about Pat Barker's retelling. Some people might find the pace slow and that nothing happens, but this precisely what Barker is a master at her craft. We see people dealing with difficult situations on the daily basis. It's about personal dilemmas and how adaptable human beings are.

I for one, love how she focus much more on the psychology of the characters instead of their glorification. This is not about a slay queen moment or a hero's moment, this is about people dealing with their flawless nature while trying to survive (even those that are in a advantaged position, caan't wait to be done and get back home, everyone is somehow paying for what they did). Even the characters that are to be considered "villains" in this story, those with their difficult personalities, the author makes sure you understand where they are coming from. There is always a psycological journey to a character in scenes like when they are just having dinner, which are the moments I find more satisfying.

hettym's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

vaishsviews's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

It was only fitting that I read a book about Greek mythology while in Greece. It doesn’t get more immersive than that. I had taken a break from the genre, but this was a perfect re-introduction.

This book tells the story of the women left behind after the Trojan War: Helen, Cassandra, Amina, Hecuba, and Briseis. The book prior to this, The Silence of the Girls, had Briseis as the sole narrator of that novel. Its sequel broadens the cast of narrators and adds ever more depth to the trauma overlooked by traditional re-tellings.

I loved the multiple perspectives and particularly enjoyed Barker’s decision to obscure the narrator’s identity at certain moments. It really forces the reader to follow the context of each chapter closely. Despite being an avid fan of The Song of Achilles, I enjoyed this book more for its harsh portrayal of the Greek heroes. It does not shy away from the horrors committed by the protagonists of the Iliad and the novel is more powerful for it. I am really enjoying these feminist re-tellings for the unique but so often overlooked perspectives they give us.

Initially, I found myself pausing to research key context that I had forgotten from the first book. Soon enough, I was caught up and let the story flow. I was entirely swept away by the narrative and soon everything fell into place.

This was incredibly readable despite the heavy subject matter and I am eagerly awaiting the third and final book in this trilogy; The Voyage Home.