My chosen book choice for the month of May is A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes.
I've been loving the modern retellings of Greek mythology, and this book specifically because it focuses on the forgotten women of the Trojan war. This book came so highly rated and recommended to me and I now know why! Rated five stars for me! LOVED!
I can absolutely see why this book was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction!
"But this is the women's war, just as much as it is the men's, and the poet will look upon their pain - the pain of the women who have always been relegated to the edges of the story, victims of men, survivors of men, slaves of men - and he will tell it, or he will tell nothing at all."
Before diving into the intricate plot of this book, I wanted to point out just how fantastically the above quote describes this book. As well, the review on the front of the book by one of my favorite authors, Madeline Miller, very accurately describes this book by saying: "With her trademark passion, wit and fierce feminism, Haynes gives a much-needed voice to the silenced women of the Trojan War." Perfect synopsis quote.
The book begins with the epic fall of the city of Troy. Although we get glimpses through multiple women of Troy throughout its ten year war, we begin in the turmoil and flames of Troy falling. From the Trojan women whose future is now fully within the clutches of the Greeks, to Amazonian warriors fighting against Achilles, to Athene, Heras, and Aphrodite confronting Paris, to Penelope writing letters to her husband Odysseus, and many more - this book has it all. Truly.
"And so the man who can win the war can only rarely survive the peace."
I adored the way this book was written through vignettes of different women, girls, and goddesses during this tumultuous tale. It was such a refreshing take on this story! I especially loved hearing about what transpired once the remaining men returned from war, and how women really shaped that experience for them as well as their futures moving forward after the fall of Troy. This book was so exceptionally written (almost like a poem/love letter) to the city of Troy and the many women who shaped this story. Hayes did an excellent job in honoring these women, in my opinion.
I was forewarned that this book seemed like an "infodump", however I could not disagree more with this review. Although it was informative, I could not find it farther from a lesson. I enjoyed these women's stories while simultaneously and subtly learning.
Would highly, highly recommend this book! I will definitely be watching for this author in the future.
If you would like to purchase this book, please use our Amazon affiliate link below here:
A Thousand Ships - https://amzn.to/3uUU2Uh
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