A Thousand Ships audiobook

sometimes it feels as if my hearts only purpose is to beat for greek mythology and this book is a gift, straight from zeus himself, to give me life. this retelling of the trojan war, including the actions that lead up to it and the consequences that followed, is quite refreshing. whilst classic myths tell about the glory and conquests of men, this focuses on the often overlooked presence of women. elegantly written from the narration of calliope, the goddess of epic poetry, the reader is given a unique perspective that is often ignored. as calliope answers the pleas of a poet, she provides a compilation of the many women - goddesses, greeks, and trojans alike - whose lives were affected by the war. and although this isnt told in chronological order, but rather an anthology of stories, the narrative is quite exceptional. the writing provides such a vivid characterisation that, even in the shortest of chapters/stories, i felt so connected to the women.this is a must read for fans of greek mythology, especially those looking for a new perspective of a classic story. ↠ 4.5 stars

Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another. - the opening of The Iliad by Homer------------------------------------ I’m not sure I could have made it more obvious, but he hasn’t understood at all. I’m not offering him the story of one woman during the Trojan War, I’m offering him the story of all the women in the war. Well, most of them (I haven’t decided about Helen yet. She gets on my nerves.). I’m giving him the chance to see the war from both ends: how it was caused and how its consequences played out. Epic in scale and subject matter. Calliope, Homer’s presumed muse, keeps trying to get him to tell the broader tale, not just the one about the men and their battles and intrigues. But he insists on a singular, male-oriented view of the Troy story (Ilios is Greek for Troy). That is the only one we have gotten, well, from him, anyway. Other classical writers have offered some different perspectives, Euripedes in particular. Natalie Haynes - Image from her site - photo credit: Dan Mersh We have all read it, (you did do the assigned reading in school right?) or certainly at least heard about it. The Iliad, by Homer, is the most widely read epic poem ever. The action centers on the leaders and the combatants, with a healthy dose of less-than-divine gods and goddesses, and adventure aplenty. It is rather light, though, on the stories about the impact of this lengthy war on women. Whudduwe? Chopped livah? So, Natalie Haynes offers a retelling of the story of Troy from the perspective of its female characters, the story she imagines Calliope might have been pressing on her reluctant client. And the Odyssey as well, as we trail Odysseus through some of his dodgy travails. The drama of war is not always found on the battlefield. It’s in the build-up, the aftermath, the margins. Where the women are waiting. - Haynes – from The Observer articleBeware Greeks bearing gifts. Trojan Horse - image from ThoughtCo.comJust like today, the lives of regular people in Greek mythology are made miserable by the feckless, selfish, ignorant actions of the people in charge. And those on high are not shy about using others, other gods, lower-level gods, demi-gods, and mere mortals to implement their dark desires. For example, Gaia, mother of Titans (take that, Daenerys) is maybe a bit more like Joan Crawford (Earth-Mommy dearest?) in this telling, or a very unhappy landlady. (banging on the ceiling with a broom handle?) Mankind was just so impossibly heavy. There were so many of them and they showed no sign of halting their endless reproduction. Stop, she wanted to cry out, please stop. You cannot all fit on the space between the oceans…you must stop, so that I can rest beneath your ever-increasing weight. Zeusy, Sweetie, can you help me out here? And what better way to take off a bit of excess earthly poundage than a lengthy and particularly bloody war. Sure, Gai, no prob. And thus, with the eager assistance of a cast of the greedy, prideful, bloodthirsty, short-sighted, dumb, and just plain foolish, we get a decade-long war, short on forward movement but long on casualties, and stories. Cassandra in front of the burning city of Troy - by Evelyn De Morgan – from WikimediaWe follow a cast of mostly female characters as they endure or succumb to the horrors of war, politics and religion. Hecabe, Priam’s widow is a central core among the captive wives and daughters of the defeated Trojans, holding the group together as they ponder and plan for their fates in the hands of their captors. They cope with their treatment by the Greek victors. Some names will be familiar. Others, less so. You have probably heard of Cassandra. And certainly you know of Hector, but not his widow Andromache. They face moral choices no less than their y-chromosome counterparts. When and how to resist, when and how to go along. Finding ways to seek justice, revenge, or freedom. Banding together. Even the hated Helen is given a turn. Their lives, and deaths are no less heroic, despite a lower body count. Penthesilea - image from Total War Saga: TroyNon-Trojan women get a perspective as well. You may have heard of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, but maybe not of Penthesilea, an amazing Amazonian character, Xena, or Wonder Woman, sans the tech. Leading her force into battle, looking to take on Achilles himself. You go, girl. Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon, gets some recognition for the atrocities she has endured, not just the one for which she has received a dark reputation.Penelope - image from The Arts Desk – painting by John William Waterhouse Penelope tells Odysseus’s story via letters, having heard of his doings from local bards, who clearly get great reception on their muse-links. So, Ody, the war’s over, dinner is getting cold, your son would like to meet you, what time do you think you’ll be home? There are several Penelope chapters, written as letters to her MIA hubs. Pretty funny stuff, looking at the adventures of Odysseus from the perspective of the ones left behind. Oh, so after you poked out the Polyphemus’s one eye and were sailing off into the distance, you felt it necessary to tell him your real name? Just what the hell is wrong with you? You knew that Poseidon was his father, right? Hope you enjoy that curse he dumped on you. Well, no wonder you got blown off course. How old are you?…Really, you took a side trip to Hades? What were you thinking? Shacked up with Circe for a year and that Orygian home-wrecker Calypso for seven FU@#ING YEARS!!! My patience is running a wee bit thin, husband. Her exasperation really comes through. You were wedded to fame more than you were ever wedded to me. And certainly, your relationship with your own glory has been unceasing. The men do not come off well, overall, Achilles is not just the greatest warrior who ever lived, but a feckless murder machine who sees no difference between taking on Trojan warriors on the battlefield and mowing down unarmed old men, women, and children from his horse. His bf, Patroclus, thinks a high body count is all that matters, regardless of type. Agamemnon, nominal leader of the Greek coalition army, is venal, pathetic, entitled and cowardly. Can he be impeached? Really, you are willing to slaughter one of your kids to get a fair wind for your ships just because some priest tells you so? Really? Dude, you deserve what you get. What kind of man wore a bronze breastplate and a plumed helmet to return home? One who believed that his power was seated in his costume, she supposed. The red leather of his scabbard was very fine, studded with gold flecks. She did not recognize it, and realized this must be part of his share of the fabled wealth of Troy. To have killed her child for a decorated bit of animal skin. She could feel the contempt shaping her mouth into a sneer, and stopped herself. Now was not the time to lose control. That would happen later. The gods are portrayed as their usual awful selves, which is no surprise. Power corrupts, and, apparently, makes you really stupid, too. While most of the women come to a bad end. This is not a spoiler, because you read the book, right? But some get in a few licks of their own, and a few even escape.Detail of painting The Muses Urania and Calliope by Simon Vouet, in which she holds a copy of the Odyssey - image from WikimediaThere are many lessons from The Iliad that still pertain thousands of years after its writing. Antenor telling those in charge that the Trojan horse might, just possibly, be a ploy, and Cassandra cursed with knowing what lies ahead but never being acknowledged might, just possibly, remind some of the Trump administration’s response to the Covid crisis. And a Trojan willing to open the gates for an invading horde might certainly resonate with corrupt American legislators offering tours and even directions to a Capitol-invading mob in 2021. The classics are classic for a reasonClytemnestra and Agamemnon - Pierre-Narcisse Guerin (1774-1833) - Image from Greek Legends and MythsTo see or hear Haynes speak is to be instantly charmed, and better, educated and entertained. She is a gifted lecturer, bringing to her talks all the effervescence, delight, and enthusiasm she clearly brings to her fiction. She is an amazing writer, bringing the ancients to life for us in the 21st century. And her decade-plus career as a stand-up comedian clearly informs her work. While not LOL-funny here, her portrayal of Penelope’s remarkable forbearance certainly has a sharp comedic edge. Overall, Haynes has given voice to a side of the Trojan War that has been much overlooked. A Thousand Ships deserves to get millions of readers. It’s smart, entertaining take on a classic story is a new classic, all its own. A war does not ignore the lives of half the people it touches. So why do we? Review posted – January 22, 2021Publication dates---------- May 2nd 2019 by Mantle (UK)-----------January 26, 2021 – Harper (USA)=============================EXTRA STUFFLinks to the author’s personal, Twitter and Instagram pagesInterviews-----NPR - The Trojan Women — And Many More — Speak Up In 'A Thousand Ships' by Lulu Garcia-Navarro-----Books on the Go - Ep 78: Interview with Natalie Haynes, 'A Thousand Ships' - with Anna Bailliekaras - audio – 36:43-----The Guardian - Standups on why they quit comedy: 'I have nightmares about having to do it again' by Brian Logan – Haynes is one of several stand up comedians who talk about why they got out-----Salon London - In conversation with ‘the Nation’s Great Muse’: Natalie Haynes - video – 1:04:13-----Harrogate Literature Festival – mostly on Pandora’s Jar rather than A Thousand Ships, but wonderfully entertaining, and some outstanding and surprising information about Helen-----The Guardian - Standups on why they quit comedy: 'I have nightmares about having to do it again' by Brian Logan – Haynes is one of several stand-up comedians who talk about why they got outItems of Interest - by the author-----Natalie Haynes: Troy Story - A. G. Leventis WCN Ancient Worlds Study Day 2019You must watch this. You will not be sorry-----Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics - BBC Radio 4 - A lecture series by Haynes - audio-----The Observer - Helen of Troy: the Greek epics are not just about war – they’re about women-----Decline and fall: what Donald Trump can learn from the Roman emperors-----Troy Story - Heroes Gods and Amazons!Items of Interest----- Where Does the Phrase "Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts" Come From? By N.S. Gill-----wiki on Calliope-----wiki on Clytemnestra -----Homer (no, wiseguy, not the one from The Simpsons) - The Iliad - full-text from Gutenberg

“She isn’t a footnote, she’s a person. And she - all the Trojan women - should be memorialised as much as any other person.” I enjoy anything relating to Greek mythology, it’s my jam. This book in particular grabbed my interest because it gives voice to the women during the Trojan War rather than the usual characters (Achilles, Odysseus, Agamemnon etc.) and granted, these men are obviously included. They cannot be ignored when recounting the Trojan War, but so too should the women be included. The wives, the kidnapped, the enslaved. As well as those we have stories of the goddesses, ones who were involved in the beginning of the war due to their own petty grievances. I loved all the different character perspectives and even learned a few things which I didn’t expect 😊

This is admittedly not the genre or type of book I would typically choose. It was the choice for my book club this month, and I have made a commitment to expand my horizons and read everything, and I'm very glad I did.At first, the non-linear storytelling is difficult to grasp. The story of the Trojan War is told from the perspectives of many different women from many different timelines. I got frustrated with trying to follow, but I remembered my commitment and soldiered on. At about page 190, things start to come together and make sense. Explanations for random events are revealed, and by the end I was quite satisfied with the narrative. The muse Calliope has small sections of narration that are both snarky and meaningful at the same time. I can totally see this book being made into a Netflix series with the Trojan Women and Calliope narrating and bracketing the various stories.I remembered just enough of my high school reading of The Odyssey that some of it was familiar, but I think that readers who stick with this will be rewarded and it's not necessary to really know all of the mythology because it is explained fairly well. Those who do know more about the Trojan War and the various gods and goddesses will really engage with the story.

Q:When a war was ended, the men lost their lives. But the women lost everything else. And victory had made the Greeks no kinder. (c)Q:She could see her own future as clearly as she saw everything else. Its brevity was her one consolation. (c)Q:She remembered the warring sensations when her father introduced them: immediate devotion mingled with a desperate presentiment of grief. (c)Q:Unable to bear the conversation of her parents or friends or servants, she found herself repeating the looped walk, across to the eastern side of the city where she sat under a thin tree and waited for no one to come, because there would be no news she ever needed to hear again. (c)Q:Because really, how many cannibalistic giants can one Greek plausibly meet as he sails the open seas? Even I, expert in your ability to create trouble, think one set is probably sufficient for your story. (c)Q:Let us hope you never have to muster another force, Odysseus. Your reputation may leave you short of volunteers. (c)Q:First you asked your mother how she had died. Then you asked after the health of your father. Then your son. Then your honour. Then your throne. And then, when you had asked about everything else except the dog, you remembered to ask after your wife. (c)Q:Greek sailors are so rarely lucky with the wind, almost as if the gods themselves want to keep you out of the water. (c)Q:You met a monster. You met a witch. Cannibals broke your ships. A whirlpool ate your friends. Telemachus himself would never have come up with such excuses and he was a boy. (c)Q:Typical Odysseus. Never approach a problem directly if you can come upon it sideways. (c)Q:... I feel sure that only in my husband’s story will pigs play a crucial role. (c)

Shortlisted for the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction Women who survive (or don’t survive) a war are equally as heroic as their menfolk. (p. 344).A Thousand Ships is a retelling of the Trojan War from the women’s point of view. Natalie Haynes draws upon the Homeric epics and the plays of 5th century Athens as her sources. The book begins powerfully with war’s end and the destruction of Troy. Haynes paints a vivid picture of the fear and despair of the Trojan women as they begin to face their future as slaves to the Greek victors.The chapters that follow consist of a series of vignettes that give voice to the women, Greek and Trojan, mortal and Goddesses of the epics and myths. This compilation of voices creates a stirring ambiance that evokes the overall plight of these women. While the book is compelling, I have read other retellings (Pat Barker, Margaret Miller, and Column Toibin), focusing on a single character or a limited series of events and probe more deeply into character and context. I find the latter a more satisfying read. However, I enjoyed listening to A Thousand Ships. I recommend it.

Longlisted for the 2020 Women's Prize for Fiction.4.5 Stars.This is another retelling of the Trojan War. The novel covers events which happened before and during Homer’s two epic poems, The Iliad, and The Odyssey. However, with this retelling we have something which has not been done before. The story is told from the female characters perspective. Be they mortals, queens, or gods, all the characters are female, with the male characters taking a back seat.The story begins with the sacking of Troy. The Greeks last ditch effort, the trick that spawned the saying, “beware Greeks bearing gifts” the Trojan Horse, has worked, and the Greeks are within the walls raping and pillaging. Frustrations of ten long years of fighting being taken out on the people of Troy.The very first chapter belongs to Calliope, the muse, who is refusing to help Homer compose his epic poem. She will not help him until she receives an offering as all mortals must do. This is one of my favourite parts of the novel. Calliope will pop up again and again following Homer as he composes his poem. Yes, in a genius stroke Haynes takes Homer out of the narrative replacing him with Calliope, the chief of all the muses and epic poetry, ensuring that the story being told from the female perspective begins right from the start.Haynes gives voices to characters who are integral to the original tale and yet almost never got to open their mouths in the original poems. Characters such as Briseis and Chryseis. Without these two women, there would have been no plague, Achilles would not have withdrawn his forces, from the war, Patroclus would not have taken his place, etc, these two women in the original poem are vital characters without a voice.The structure of the narrative is very similar to Colleen McCullough’s retelling “Song of Troy” in that each chapter is devoted to one character and their perspective. There are a number of chapters however entitled “The Trojan Women” and in these chapters we find the royal women of Troy, Priam’s wife and daughters, Hector’s wife, waiting to find out their fate.About half the novel is devoted to Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, writing letters to him waiting and longing for his return. She learns through Homer’s poems the trials that Odysseus is going through and his struggles, while Penelope struggles to believe the poets words. we find what it is like for her waiting twenty years for Odysseus to return to her. Haynes shines a light on her pain.At times the novel feels almost like an anthology of Greek myths and the narrative is not chronological with chapters weaving back and forth. However, they are all brilliantly connected, and the reader never loses their way. In fact, Haynes has done a marvellous job placing the various chapters in the order they are. Even somebody who has never read Homer would find it difficult to get lost.I do believe that lovers of Homer and his epic poems will get more out of this novel, but as with the other retellings, I also think that this book will be enjoyable for all. It may even convince some people to read the wonderful works of Homer. 4.5 Stars!

"When a war was ended, the men lost their lives. But the women lost everything else."The reviews for this one are such a mixed bag that while I was consumed with curiosity about the subject, I was also feeling some trepidation picking it up: nothing sucks quite the way a book you wanted to love turning out bad sucks. I was both pleased and relieved that it turned out to be a smooth and satisfying read.After the end of the Trojan War, the women (and nymphs and goddesses) who were involved in this epic story look back on the past few years, taking stock of the traumas and loss they endured, and the dark fates still to come. Hecabe, Penelope, Briseis, Clytemnestra, Andromaque... We know their names, and the stories of men they were close to, but here Haynes writes in their own voices, fleshing the known tales and breathing new life and emotions into the classic stories.I enjoyed Haynes' writing, which was evocative without being overwrought - and I always love a Greek myth retelling, especially of any stories related to the Trojan War. I think that one of the criticisms levelled against this book is that she didn't really speculate further than the source material, and sure, the book would have been even better had she pushed the envelope further in that direction, but I enjoyed her portrayal of the characters too much to care. I also thought that device of the muse and the poet, which was a wonderful idea, could have been emphasized a bit more.But overall, this was a well-written retelling of some of my favourite stories. Haynes really knows her stuff and I look forward to her other books!

I loved this book all the way, 100% and more! It was an impressive objective the author set out to accomplish – to give voice to the women who equally deserve their place in the story of when a thousand ships sailed from Greece to bring the beautiful Helen of Troy back to Sparta, to her husband, Menelaus. “… is Oenone less of a hero than Menelaus? He loses his wife, so he stirs up an army to bring her [Helen] back to him, costing countless lives and creating countless widows, orphans, and slaves. Oenone loses her husband, and she raises their son. Which of those is the more heroic act?”This quote sums up the book beautifully for me. The heroism of women, something that is so often overlooked and so often understated, has been the sole focus of this book. The cast of women is remarkable which made it a riveting read for me. Each chapter is spoken from the perspective of a different woman, in different timelines too, which enhances the flow of the story and creates a terrific sense of mystery where the author crafts in gradual revelations across the chapters very skilfully, tying everyone’s story into one. For me, it was also quite an educational experience since I knew very few of these women. I loved learning about each, their hopes, dreams, fears, and weaknesses, as well as the strength, courage, and perseverance they invoke when faced with their unique tragic circumstances. A very minor thing, which I overlooked mostly - often it does feel like the story moves on too quickly from one character to the other. Initially I felt lightly disappointed since I wanted to spend more time with some of the characters. However, as I progressed through the chapters, I couldn’t be more grateful that Ms Haynes went above and beyond to bring to life such a large cast, otherwise, some of the characters and their stories of heroism may have remained hidden and only ever mentioned as footnotes in history.

I have sung of death and of life, of joy and of pain.I have sung of life after death.And I have sung of the women, the women in the shadows. I have sung of the forgotten, the ignored, the untold. I have picked up the old stories and I have shaken them until the hidden women appear in plain sight. I have celebrated them in song because they have waited long enough. Just as I promised him: this was never the story of one woman, or two. It was the story of all of them. A war does not ignore half the people whose lives it touches. So why do we? I don't think there's anything I need to add to this.

A Thousand Ships is a beautiful retelling of the Trojan War. I am a huge fan of Greek mythology and this one did not disappoint!It's telling the stories of the women who were left behind to whatever Fate had planned for them, outside of the long war.All the characters are rich and while the details flesh out a well known and worn out story, it also offers a fresh perspective. I can't believe this book has not received more attention. Well written, moving and real.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars.A Thousand Ships is an epic undertaking, tackling not only The Trojan War but it’s long and drawn out aftermath, all told from the women’s perspective. Always there, ever present, this is their story. From slave to queen to goddess, this is how they all became involved in the mighty Trojan War and what befell them when the great city burned. I would say that before going into this you need at least a small amount of background knowledge regarding the Trojan War. There is a non linear timeline here that covers backstories and the reasonings behind the war, as well as flash forwards and prophecies from multiple points of view. Without some knowledge of the original texts this pulls from, the story could get very confusing with lots of characters to remember, as well as the various timelines. I do think that at times it tried to cover too much, making the story a little too thinned out over too many people, meaning I couldn’t deeply connect with many of them. Odysseus’ journey could have been a whole separate book on its own (although I did love Penelope’s humour and sass, especially when she begins to repeatedly question her husband’s loyalty to his wife while he lords it up with various beautiful immortal women). I also really enjoyed the tone of Calliope’s (muse of epic poetry) small chapters. They helped to break up the more heavy storylines involving the Trojan women, with Calliope herself acting almost as a narrator or show woman of the stage, breathing life into her poet’s tale. She also had a biting wit, and a dislike of Helen that had me laughing a few times. My favourite chapter however, is the one involving the golden apple and Athena, Aphrodite, Hera and Paris. A story that starts the Trojan War, I loved seeing the goddess’s act so childishly, reacting with jealousy and vengeful wrath when they don’t get their own way. However, we later learn that they’ve all been manipulated from the outset, with the machinations of the war brought to fruition by Zeus himself. Immortals trickled at their own games, they’re all delightfully horrid characters who use mortals as playthings to pass the time. Aside from the slightly unnecessary large cast, I ended up really enjoying this. It’s what I was expecting from The Silence of the Girls, where the women truly take centre stage for once in their own story. The Trojan women, with all their heartbreak and suffering, grief and misery. Cassandra with her cursed visions and madness, seeing not only her own death but that of her brothers and sisters too. Over and over. It’s no wonder she went mad. Even Clytemnestra and poor innocent Iphigenia. I loved hearing their opinions, sharing their emotions. Even Helen’s. Although perhaps ironically, for the face that launched a thousand ships, she has very little story time here. I just wish the structure had been a bit more linear, and Penelope had her own book to flesh out her story. One of the best female retellings of some of my favourite Greek stories to date.

Another outstanding book.Utterly blown away with the mountain of information. This is fast paced and leaves nothing out which would make you think you are lost in the story. A thousand ships tells us of the trojan war from all the womens perspectives. This is cleverly done and each womens account is so intimately decribed it really has you feeling like you are there sitting listening to them talk.The imagery is so well produced and this holds your full attention to the point it is hard to put down. I had to ration myself reading this so i could savour it. 5* without a doubt

I came across this author when Waterstones told me they had this special signed edition of her latest book. Since I still have to wait for this book to arrive here, I checked for others and stumbled upon her previous publications. So now I'm reading the three that appealed to me the most - this one as well as one other novel and her recent non-fiction.In this novel, we get the stories of the women engulfed in the conflict described in the Iliad and Odyssey. Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of them, some recurring, some not. I was very pleased to see chapters not only by the women of Troy (including Helen and Hecabe), but also goddesses and muses.Thus, we learn of captivity, rape, emotional cruelty, schemes both divine and human, fighting prowress, duty, honour, blasphemy, loss, regret and mourning - but also of a dire thirst for revenge. From women knowing that their sons were going to die (no matter how much that death would secure them eternal glory), to others having to watch corpses being defiled or temples burnt, to yet others waiting at home and hoping against hope that their husbands would come home.The author once again managed to give a wonderfully broad overview that was nevertheless detailed in just the right places. Her passion for the myths and history are palpable and infectious. Interestingly, while I loved every one of the different POVs, I was surprised to discover that I loved the interludes with Calliope as well as the letters penned by Penelope best! My fascination has always been with Cassandra and my dislike was usually turned towards Helen. Therefore, it was nice to see things from their perspectives because of course there are always different sides to events of this magnitude and even Helen was just a piece on the board, not really powerful or respected, but instead only objectified thanks to her incredible beauty. Here, though, while I still screamed in anger about Hecabe deflecting her own guilt onto her poor, cursed, suffering daughter Cassandra, I found myself cackling gleefully when reading the erudite and sharp-witted letters Peneplope wrote to Odysseus during his absense or when nodding along to Calliope's musings on heroism, war and more.So here are three of my favorite quotes: Heroes don't become heroes without carnage. - CalliopeWar is not a sport, to be decided in a quick bout on a strip of contested land. It is a web, which stretches out to the furthest parts of the world, drawing everyone into itself. - CalliopeWaiting is the cruelest thing I have ever endured. Like bereavement but with no certainty. - Penelope P.S.: Paris, I'm almost happy to report, was as repulsive, stupid and deserving of all the negative feelings a human is capable of feeling as I had always regarded him. No excuse will ever persuade me to give even only a sliver of sympathy to the arrogant, spoilt little shit!By the way, the men do feature in this book. And not all are evil demons. In fact, some are quite chivalrous while some women are what I can only describe as insufferable bitches. The author took her time sketching them all out in an intricate and colourful tapestry. However, the author did a great job elaborating on the systemic misogyny. As such, this was a wholesome retelling of the events, just with a different angle.Seriously, I'm in love with Haynes' writing - both how she tells a story / presents facts and the tone. She is a journalist by trade so her research is always meticulous and then knocks it out of the park when combined with her aforementioned passion. One cannot help but be drawn in, ensnared from the first page to the last, revelling in the narrative. I'm in awe!

Dust off your knowledge of the Trojan War or reread The Iliad because this novel is a lively feminist retelling of the war that was ignited by the judgement of Paris also known as the golden apple of discord (my favorite portion of the book). Petty, spiteful, and indifferent gods and goddesses abound causing suffering, longing, and sacrifice experienced and told by the women caught up in this ten-year war. Cassandra is pitiful in her ignored knowledge of events yet to come, Penelope is amusing in her letters to her absent husband, Hecabe is key in keeping together captive Trojan women, and Helen is, well, Helen. You’ll come across other neglected women both Trojan and not, some well known and others not. Achilles, Patroclus, and Agamemnon are murderous, cold, and cowardly in turn. In short, this is delightful and engaging.