Review: A Thousand Ships

Available at Bookshop.org

4.5/5

For fans of: Greek mythology, retellings, alternative POVs, Trojan War, feminist POV

Synopsis: The epic tale of the Trojan War told from the point of view of the women who fought in it, sacrificed in it, were left behind by it, survived it, and were killed in it. Their ferocity, bravery, brokenness, and despair are front and center in a story that gives them voice and credence when traditionally, they were not.

Review: I have really been enjoying all the new literature coming out recently that highlights the voices of ancient Greek women in a refreshing and empowering way. A Thousand Ships is no different. We all know the stories of the great heroes and their hubris that made them targets of the gods and fate, but the women get sidelined as observers and victims rather than key players in the traditional story. The structure of this particular story is what surprised me first. Told in non-linear form, each woman or group of women have either a single chapter or their story is woven throughout the novel. If you do not know the overall story of Troy, this might make it difficult to keep track of the plot. Each woman or group of women have their own distinct voice like unique threads in a tapestry full of rage, strength, brokenness, bravery and survival that all war stories are.

The second aspect that stuck out was the characterizations for both the well known and the lesser known women. Powerful queens, headstrong princess, petty goddesses, merciless Muses, and priestesses cursed to never be believed. All of them proud women, mothers and daughters, bound by fate and the whims of the honor of men in the ancient world. They each understand their role in this story, accepting what cannot be changed yet clinging to hope of a better tomorrow.

My only critique, and this is more of just a preference, is that the chapters of Penelope’s POV were far too long in describing Odysseus’s journey home. I appreciated her growing resentment and desperation throughout the chapters, but I may have just read The Odyssey far too many times and wished to move on to other POVs whenever I got to her chapters.

Overall, this is an excellent addition to my growing collection of ancient Greek-inspired tales.