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A review by melissafelicia
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
The perspective in this book was very interesting, to hear the famous Illiad story from the point of view of a woman whose city is ransacked by the Greek soldiers.
I found it hard to relate to the main character. She seems to not care much about rape, even defending it. She also barely mourns her family, friends and neighbors. I could understand it if that were out of a sort of survival mode, but then we would at least have caught some glimpses of emotional distress?
Also for a book about Bryseis' perspective on the war, it still seems to be about the male fighters and kings most of the time instead of about the relationships between Bryseis and the other women, about her thoughts on the war, about her identity.
So even though it was an interesting perspective, I think it could have been more interesting and engaging.
I found it hard to relate to the main character. She seems to not care much about rape, even defending it. She also barely mourns her family, friends and neighbors. I could understand it if that were out of a sort of survival mode, but then we would at least have caught some glimpses of emotional distress?
Also for a book about Bryseis' perspective on the war, it still seems to be about the male fighters and kings most of the time instead of about the relationships between Bryseis and the other women, about her thoughts on the war, about her identity.
So even though it was an interesting perspective, I think it could have been more interesting and engaging.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Grief, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, and War