A review by vaishsviews
The Women of Troy by Pat Barker

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.