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A review by crazytourists_books
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Retellings of ancient myths have been around for many years, but lately they are particularly popular. Personally, I like them, a new perspective to they myths that dominated my youth growing up in Greece is welcome and interesting!
This book started nicely, the prose is definitely beautiful. But it lost its grip on me for a couple of reasons.
I wanted more of Helen, the perspective of the woman that "started" a war would have been quite interesting. However, we only heard her voice a couple of times, as an afterthought, merely because she was present at the scene.
I didn't particularly like the chapters dedicated to Penelope, not because they were not nicely written, but because it was a summary of the Odyssey. Nothing new.
I wanted more of the women of Troy, during the siege and after the destruction of the city. That would have been an amazing retelling.
This book started nicely, the prose is definitely beautiful. But it lost its grip on me for a couple of reasons.
I wanted more of Helen, the perspective of the woman that "started" a war would have been quite interesting. However, we only heard her voice a couple of times, as an afterthought, merely because she was present at the scene.
I didn't particularly like the chapters dedicated to Penelope, not because they were not nicely written, but because it was a summary of the Odyssey. Nothing new.
I wanted more of the women of Troy, during the siege and after the destruction of the city. That would have been an amazing retelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War