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A review by margodawful
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is going to be long because I have a lot of thoughts and nobody to talk to them about LOL personal diary entry here we go.
Overall as a feminist retelling (tm) of the Odyssey/Iliad this book was fascinating and VERY good. The author was clearly well researched and had spent time thinking about how she wished to put this book together. The order was not as random as it seemed to me when I began reading. It is a slow read as well, but I think that is normal to be expected with this kind of subject matter.
I really enjoyed the characterization of Helen- there is always such a debate over whether or not she willingly went with Paris. Subsequently, feminist discussions of the Iliad are around Helen's agency and in doing so don't leave room for her to be a person (which, to be fair, she never really gets any characterization lol). Helen's acceptance of godly machinations and her acceptance of the mixed jealousy/hatred/ardor of other women is also really fascinating.
I felt sometimes that Calliope was much too overtly feminist (but that might be a personal preference). Sometimes Penelope was this way too, spelling it out for the audience too much. But at the same time that also serves a purpose in the grand narrative. And I think Calliope using these stories to punish the male poet who demanded her help is ace.
I had other thoughts but I lost them! Just would recommend to people even though it wasn't perfect!! It's a gem in a sea of poor feminist retellings (this is an ariadne callout post)
Overall as a feminist retelling (tm) of the Odyssey/Iliad this book was fascinating and VERY good. The author was clearly well researched and had spent time thinking about how she wished to put this book together. The order was not as random as it seemed to me when I began reading. It is a slow read as well, but I think that is normal to be expected with this kind of subject matter.
I really enjoyed the characterization of Helen- there is always such a debate over whether or not she willingly went with Paris. Subsequently, feminist discussions of the Iliad are around Helen's agency and in doing so don't leave room for her to be a person (which, to be fair, she never really gets any characterization lol). Helen's acceptance of godly machinations and her acceptance of the mixed jealousy/hatred/ardor of other women is also really fascinating.
I felt sometimes that Calliope was much too overtly feminist (but that might be a personal preference). Sometimes Penelope was this way too, spelling it out for the audience too much. But at the same time that also serves a purpose in the grand narrative. And I think Calliope using these stories to punish the male poet who demanded her help is ace.
I had other thoughts but I lost them! Just would recommend to people even though it wasn't perfect!! It's a gem in a sea of poor feminist retellings (this is an ariadne callout post)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence