Flu Review - The Women of Troy by Pat Barker

Posted on Mar 21, 2022 by Anna Jackson  | Comments (0)

                The Women of Troy is the sequel to Pat Barker’s book, The Silence of the Girls. In The Silence of the Girls, Barker retells the story of the Iliad through the narration of Briseis, Achilles’ war prize. The Women of Troy picks up from the end of the Trojan War, and follows the Trojan women who are now enslaved to the Grecian men. The women recount their fear of their new status but also their determination to not cave to these brutes of war. Some women feel the daunting pressure of slavery, choosing to end things on their own terms. Other women fight against their captivity through defiance, while others fight to keep their lives by submitting to their new roles. While the Trojan women face their new reality, they rely on the wisdom of Briseis as she has lived in the Grecian camp since the war started. With her help, the women are able to navigate the camp, finding resources to stay fed and healthy. The women are able to begin to band together to survive.

                Barker’s sequel is just as moving the first book. She is able to show how war affects the innocent as well as the ugliness that comes from both victory and defeat. Barker does not shy away from the distressing emotions that the women of Troy felt, but she also does not leave her story without a ray of hope. Through the bond of womanhood, these ladies stand a chance of survival. Not every woman wants to survive in a life of slavery, but by helping each other, the women have a chance to make it.

                This is not a book that everyone will enjoy reading. There are graphic scenes of violence, especially violence against women. I found the book to be moving and beautifully written, but it is definitely a book that you want read with caution. If you are looking for a feel good book, this series may not be the right one for you, but I found this book important as we remember what other women endured for the sake of men going off to war. For those interested in history, women’s history, or mythology, I would highly recommend this book series.

By Erica