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A review by oliverlang
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I feel like I may have done this book a disservice by reading it after having already read The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and also A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes. These both detailed the events of the war at Troy from Patroclus' perspective and the women of Troy's perspective respectively, and were incredible pieces of storytelling.
I feel like had I not read those first, I may have enjoyed this book without their influence but I just found myself annoyed at several details in Barker's book, namely the portrayal of Patroclus' character/personality.
I was really interested to read this series of events from Briesis' perspective but found it lacking, underwhelming and the modern(read: British)isation of the language frustrating.
If you're looking for a five star read, I strongly recommend the aforementioned works but sadly I cannot say I enjoyed this adaptation.
I feel like had I not read those first, I may have enjoyed this book without their influence but I just found myself annoyed at several details in Barker's book, namely the portrayal of Patroclus' character/personality.
I was really interested to read this series of events from Briesis' perspective but found it lacking, underwhelming and the modern(read: British)isation of the language frustrating.
If you're looking for a five star read, I strongly recommend the aforementioned works but sadly I cannot say I enjoyed this adaptation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail