A review by crazytourists_books
The Women of Troy by Pat Barker

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No

2.0

I wanted to like it and I tried. I really did. 
I pretended that the inconsistency between the points of view and the title of the book didn't bother me (it's more Pyrrhus and Calchas and Briseis of course than the "women of Troy"). I tried not to pay attention at the lack of story (the whole book could be summarised into fifty pages, with no problem). I tried no to pay attention at the anachronisms and inaccuracies (did the writer really think that's they way people spoke in ancient times even soldiers at war? Also, the veil, was something that only elite, free women wore, as a sign of status). And then I got to the drop that made the glass overflow; the fat shaming. Its never OK, never acceptable to fat shame someone, especially when, as here, does not serve any purpose. I doesn't add anything to the plot, nothing would change if it wasn't there. 
I was really underwhelmed, I had high hopes and expectations from this book...

Expand filter menu Content Warnings