This is the story of the Trojan War told from the point of view of Briseis, a Trojan queen and captive of Achilles. She is wry, watchful, forging connections among her fellow female prisoners even as she is caught between Greece’s two most powerful warriors. Her story tells of the thousands of women who lived behind the scenes of the Greek army camp—concubines, nurses, prostitutes, the women who lay out the dead. All Slaves, all with no voice.
This book was hard to read at times but like all books about history, especially the forgotten stories, I think it is extremely important to bear witness to what people have experienced. Briseis is graphic in her description of war, injury, day to day life of the female slaves, raising children, suffering, disease, death and the fleeting moments of respite and sense of freedom. I loved this book! Pat Barker's writing is beautiful and eloquent and I look forward to more of her books.
This is the first in a trilogy, The Women of Troy Series
The Silences of the Girls (Book 1)
The Women of Troy (Book 2)
The Voyage Home (Book 3)
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️