A Retelling of the Trojan Was Starring the Women

 

The Bronze Age, from what we know of Homer’s Iliad, was a male dominated society. The women were mere shadows. This book changes that perspective. The focus is on the women: Andromache, Rhea, and Helen. Andromache, Hector’s wife comes to the fore as a leader during the siege. Rhea is a war refuge who finds her place working with the horses. Helen, who’s capture started the war, is portrayed as a captive, and Cassandra, the prophetess, who has the last word.

The novel while remaining basically true to the original story, gives the women a chance to show how their actions affected the course of the conflict. I thought the author did an excellent job giving each woman a distinct character, revealing her emotions and thoughts, and getting to see the other characters through the eyes of these women.

The background of the Bronze Age society was well researched and gave an immediacy to the story. The descriptions drew you into a different time and made the story more realistic. Generally, I don’t like retelling myths with a new focus primarily on the women. I feel it gives a false picture of the age. However, this book was very well done. The characterizations were realistic giving each woman a distinct voice. I recommend this book as an alternative way to view the Trojan War.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.