Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - The Women of Troy

I hope for something similar like Madeline Millers Works but this was such a let down.

The plot felt really thin and the characters weren't as well developed. The language felt flat at most times. I expected more from a book that was so highly praised.

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caitban's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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cosycourtney's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

The books in Pat Barker’s Troy series always pleasantly surprise me. They are not really the genre I naturally gravitate towards but Silence Of The Girls and now Women Of Troy were both astounding reads. Anyone who is a fan of Madeline Miller honestly must also read these books. I would easily recommend the Troy series over Song Of Achilles because it once again centers women in a story that typical surrounds the actions of men. I liked the way Women Of Troy had a more diverse range of female experience and highlights the varying natures of survival, anger and acceptance of the fate of the women in our story. It really mirrored similar experiences we still face in modern day world where female experience, feminism and fighting against the patriarchy exists in many different ways. Barker writes in such an accessible way with subtle contextual hints throughout her work. There is no huge expectation that you have to be a Trojan expert in order to enjoy the story. Despite a quite a large cast of characters, our women are deeply developed; their connections to one another solid & clear. Upon finishing Women Of Troy I found out there is a third Troy novel coming next year focusing on Cassandra, a character I really wanted more from so I can’t wait—knowing this now it feels like the tease of her potential abundance was intentional. This book only lost 1 star from me because some of the chapter were from a male’s POV and while I know it was essential to the story they were my least favourite chapters. Can’t wait for more Pat Barker in future!

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