Scan barcode
shadowbunny101's review
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Similar to the last review I left on a book I think I was expecting more. From my reading of the book flap I thought this would be a humanizing account of the Trojan war. And don’t get me wrong, it was. But I wasn’t superbly impacted?? I really enjoyed the way in which the Trojan war was intertwined with the “modern” story taking place in Greece. I also really liked the mystery surrounding Miss and her relationship with the German soldiers. I felt that was really well done. I also will say while I have historically sided with the Greeks this story made me feel very sympathetic towards the Trojans. Overall I would read something from the author again.
bookishmagpie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Short and refreshing. One of the better retellings I've read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Child death, and Slavery
gabz49242's review
3.0
This novel retells the story of the Trojan War while a small Greek village is suffering under Nazi occupation. As someone who already knows the core story quite well, I wish there had been a little bit more of the frame story, and a little less of the retelling. However, in the afterword, the author mentions that he wanted to make the story of the Iliad more accessible to modern audiences who may find Homer's writing intimidating. By condensing it into a slim volume and comparing it to the modern tragedies of war, I think he has successfully done so.
The prose is stark, with minimal flowery language, a style that befits both the time periods this book discusses. In addition, Kallifatides highlights certain moments in the Trojan War story that are not found in the Iliad, a choice that I feel was made to bridge the gap to the modern audience. The frame story, especially as it concerns the plight of women in small towns of a particular time, was lovely, and I wish we had gotten to spend more time with Dimitra and Miss Marina.
If you're a fan of the Classical world, or if you've always wanted to read the Iliad but felt intimidated by a chunky epic, give this one a go. It's a lovely little book that can easily be read in a day or two.
The prose is stark, with minimal flowery language, a style that befits both the time periods this book discusses. In addition, Kallifatides highlights certain moments in the Trojan War story that are not found in the Iliad, a choice that I feel was made to bridge the gap to the modern audience. The frame story, especially as it concerns the plight of women in small towns of a particular time, was lovely, and I wish we had gotten to spend more time with Dimitra and Miss Marina.
If you're a fan of the Classical world, or if you've always wanted to read the Iliad but felt intimidated by a chunky epic, give this one a go. It's a lovely little book that can easily be read in a day or two.
jasmineteagirl's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Perhaps my lack of extensive knowledge on The Iliad contributed to my enjoyment of this book, but I really did like this. And I was surprised. I had assumed a recommendation by my Pappous would be out of my realm. This was easily digestible. I would’ve loved more of the village, though the author wrote enough to work for the story. Honestly I would’ve accepted an even longer book just for more of the characters in the village.
sinead13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
marianne4aura's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kminahan's review
3.0
I was much more interested in the frame story than the retelling of the Iliad. If you're more excited about Greek mythology than I am, you would probably really like this.
opalamber's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
tanel's review against another edition
1.0
Tuntud teksti ümberjutustus, (algtekst on) täis patriarhaalse kultuuri verist sousti: loomade ohverdamine, lihasöömine, loomade ja inimeste orjastamine, naiste kohtlemine asjadena, röövimine ja vägistamine.
Vägivallaorgia, mis on umbes sama sügavamõtteline nagu "Sõrmuste isand".
Kui midagi kõrva taha panna, siis ehk algteksti tõdemus, et ei ole kurvemat vaatepilti, kui koerad, kes jooksevad ringi, hallipäise vanamehe kehaosa(d) hambus.
Vägivallaorgia, mis on umbes sama sügavamõtteline nagu "Sõrmuste isand".
Kui midagi kõrva taha panna, siis ehk algteksti tõdemus, et ei ole kurvemat vaatepilti, kui koerad, kes jooksevad ringi, hallipäise vanamehe kehaosa(d) hambus.