It’s so hard to divorce my love of the Iliad from my experience reading The Silence of the Girls, but I think that’s partially what makes this such a fantastic retelling. Told primarily from the perspective of Briseis, a Trojan captive given to Achilles as a war prize, Pat Barker’s novel endeavors to tell the unsung story of the female characters who litter the background of the Ancient Greek epic. And she does a pretty brilliant job.

The pleasure I derive from reading retellings, and especially retellings of Homer, is twofold: I want to see the author’s unique slant on the narrative and feel that they’re contributing something new to the story, otherwise what’s the point, but I also want to be reminded of my love of the original. On both fronts, The Silence of the Girls is a resounding success. Pat Barker captured the grandiosity of these characters and events in a way that really struck a chord with me; I felt constantly on the verge of tears reading parts of this novel because Homer’s musings on fate and free will and grief and glory – in short, what makes the Iliad so epic and timeless – are all echoed in Briseis’ narrative. But Barker also manages it all from the sidelines, zeroing in on the experiences of a war slave who has no choice but to watch events unfold around her with no personal agency. Briseis is fully aware that she is not the hero of her own story, that she’s narrating these events as a spectator to her own life. You could argue that at times she almost has a bit too much awareness of this fact, but as she’s narrating these events from years later, the time and perspective have clearly allowed her to form the big picture.

I also felt these were some of the best depictions I’ve ever read of these characters, notably Achilles and Patroclus. I find that certain writers have a difficult time reconciling Achilles’ brutality with his heroism, and likewise Patroclus’ ruthless streak with his kindness. But Barker frankly addresses that, in times of war especially, these characteristics can easily coexist. I really felt that these characters had walked straight out of the pages of the Iliadinto Barker’s story, in a way that I haven’t seen achieved by any other retelling I’ve read (except maybe Ransom by David Malouf, which until now has been my go-to recommendation for modern Iliad retellings). Briseis is a very minor character in the original, and as such, Barker had a lot more leeway with her protagonist, but I was also satisfied with the result; I was immediately invested in Briseis and I thought she added a much-needed and underrepresented perspective to the story.

My biggest issue with this novel the unwieldy execution of the point of view shifts. Though this retelling focuses on Briseis, so much of the backdrop and what drives the characters’ motivations hinges on the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, and for Briseis to narrate that to us any more than she already does would verge too heavily into ‘telling rather than showing’ territory, so I really didn’t mind the occasional inclusion of the male perspectives. But the first person/third person switch feels arbitrary and messy, especially since Briseis herself spends so much time observing and narrating Achilles’s actions. I felt like Barker could have played with this a bit more; played up the uncertainty that maybe we aren’t reading Achilles’s thoughts, but rather, Briseis’ interpretation of Achilles’s thoughts…. but nothing is really made of this opportunity, as it’s clear that we’re supposed to be in Achilles’ head, but rather unclear why we’ve switched over to his thoughts at any given moment.

But aside from that, this book was pretty much everything I wanted it to be. It’s subversive yet subtle; affecting yet understated. It captures the epic scale of the Iliad and the quiet moments of beauty in the story and everything in between. It’s definitely a subtler feminist retelling than the likes of Circe and The Penelopiad, but I have to say I much, much preferred The Silence of the Girls – though I would readily recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the aforementioned novels. But for all my talk of retellings and Greek classics, I really don’t think you need prior knowledge of any of that before starting Barker’s novel – it’s a stunning story that should stand on its own just fine.

Thank you to Netgalley, Doubleday Books, and Pat Barker for the advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

Briseis, a princess, is given to Achilles as a war prize when her city is overrun and destroyed. Treated as an object, Briseis must quickly adjust to her new life among the Greek army. When Achilles and Agamemnon argue, Agamemnon demands Briseis as his own. Achilles relents, but decides no longer to fight against the Trojans.

This book was hard to put down. Briseis was such a realistic and interesting character. Secondary characters were also well created, and lacked the stereotypical feel that most historical fiction uses. I look forward to reading more from this author. Overall, highly recommended.

Thanks to Doubleday and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this novel. I really enjoyed this retelling of a slice of The Trojan War. The characterizations of the main players were very good, especially the protagonist, Bresis. And the portrayal of Achilles was definitely interesting (basically a thoroughly messed up mama’s boy). One thing I did not necessarily understand though. The title certainly suggests a story from the woman’s/women’s point of view, and Bresis’ part of the story is definitely that. But the Achilles/Patroclus storyline was also huge in the book. So much so, that at one point, I stopped and thought, “whose story is this exactly?” And unfortunately, I could not shake that thought for the rest of the novel. It didn’t lessen my enjoyment, but it was just a nagging bother. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoyed The Song of Achilles, Circe, or House of Names.

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker is a retelling of the Illiad through the eyes of Briseis. Barker was born in Thornaby-on-Tees in 1943. She was educated at the London School of Economics and has been a teacher of history and politics. She is the author of several historical fiction novels.

Briseis was the mythical queen of Lyrnessus in Asian Minon at the time of the Trojan War. She finds herself trapped in the city walls as the Greeks lay siege to the city. She watches as Achilles kills her husband and sons. Briseis is taken prisoner and given to Achilles as a prize by Agamemnon. Captive life is not pleasant as Achilles bedmate, but she does have freedom of movement in the camp. She becomes key in the dispute between Achilles and Agamemnon.

The story told from the Briseis perspective a queen who is suddenly a slave is exciting in itself since slaves and women never had a voice in that period (mythical or not). At some point, however, it does seem like women's literature especially when Briseis talks with the other women in the camp. The language appears too modern in places, but I suppose there were the same words in Greek as modern English. This is also offset by with battles and bubonic plague.  There is a healthy mix of perspective, mythology, and storytelling in this novel. An excellent telling of a classic story that does adds to the original instead of harming the original.  A well-done adaptation.

What a compelling story! I never read The Iliad or knew much about the Trojan War or military wars about ancient Greece but I found the story focusing on the women in these camps and the role of women during wartime really interesting.

An extraordinary book. It brings a new dimension to the story of The Iliad. It brings the characters, significant and secondary. The plot speeds along, as it is both a familiar telling and an extrapolation. Pat Barker is always worth reading.

Good book. I liked hearing the point of view from the women/slaves about wars, fighting, and all the effects war can have on people and society.
I enjoyed the ending of the book, the author did a good job of tying up the story and the outcome of the characters.
My only negative comment was the book was a little slow at times, but overall I enjoyed the book.

The opening line of the Iliad is: “Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus’ son Achilleus and its devastation …” In Barker’s story, readers meet the woman, Briseis, who was a huge part of the events that inspired Achilles’ fury. In The Iliad, Briseis is a virtual trinket that inspires a conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles. But Barker gives Briseis her own story, and she also gives voices to the other Trojan women who were captured by the Greeks and held as sex slaves and hostages.

The idea that Achilles would sulk in his tent because of a woman is treated by Homer as evidence of a great fault within the Greek warrior. Barker’s brilliant imagining of the years of siege outside Troy’s walls restores humanity to women who were treated like throw-away dolls. By presenting the Trojan War through the eyes of captives, Barker complicates notions of what defines heroism.

I read this book directly after Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and found it to be a unique and different perspective. The focus here is on Briseis and the close of the Trojan War, and it was a compelling read. I loved the chance to see the vast story of the fall of Troy through the eyes of a woman reduced to camp slave. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction should love this book.

I enjoyed it. It was a nice retelling of Achilles from a the point of view of a slave from war. I watched that movie <i> Troy</i> with Brad Pitt and as I was reading this book I couldn't help but picture Brad Pitt as Barker's Achilles!

I was completely taken to the setting of this historical tale except that sometimes, out of the blue, some sentence would pop up that didn't sound like from that time period and the narrative would lose some of its historical rhythm.

This is a fantastic book about the Trojan Women and the hard lives they lead. It's hard to read women being treated so badly, but the author really did the homework on this one! Characters so vivid they will stay with me a long time. The description of the scenery so real I felt like I was there. I highly enjoyed this book!
I received this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley!

This is wonderful story. I was engaged in it through the whole book. The story is the war between the Greeks and the Trojans. The Trojan War. It is told through the eyes of Briseis. She was of noble birth. They're town is being conquered by the Greeks. Every male is killed and the women are taken as slaves. Her story is about the war as it pertains to the woman and what they endured. The women of class were gifted to the Kings, and other men of state. The others were shared among the men, raped, starved, beaten. Her story is not much better, she is given to Achilles, the greater warrior. She is his to do as he wishes. If he gets tired of her he can give her to the men to use as they please.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It has Paris, Hector, Helen, Greeks, Trojans. Love, betrayal, hope, strength.
I highly recommend this read. Excellent!

The Silence of the Girls is undoubtedly one for fans of classical retelling, particularly those focusing on female characters and showing other sides to war.

Beautifully written and utterly captivating, Barker's retelling of Illiad makes for a deeply pleasurable read. Foregrounding the stories of women rather than the heroes, kings and warriors, The Silence of Girls captures the peripheral--or so rendered in classic mythology--stories of the many women whose lives were held captive by the war.

This is not your normal Helen of Troy book. So get that completely out of your mind. This book deals with completely with the slaves from the Greek conquests around Troy while they were locked in siege of Troy. You see a queen, Briseis, go from being a queen to being a lowly slave to Achilles and then to Agamemnon.

Even though she does not want to Briseis falls in love with Achilles and he with her though Achilles does not really understand the concept of love, in my opinion. I will not say if this book ends happily ever after or not. If you know the story of Helen of Troy then you know how the main story ends.

The author kept true to the main history story of the battle of Greece versus Troy and so if you know that story then this one is easy to follow. You can follow it fairly easy without knowing the history story, but it enriches the story if you know the reasons & what happens.

This book is well worth the read if you like Greek mythology (I do) and want to read the story from another point of view, in this case a slave. Get the book, read it, then let me know what you think!

Based on Greek mythology, Homer’s Iliad, and set during the final weeks of the Trojan War, this book brings a story of Briseis.

After Achilles, Greece’s greatest warrior, conquers Troy’s neighboring kingdom, he slaughters all men and captures all women; among them the queen Briseis. She becomes his concubine.

At the camp set under the walls of Troy where all captured women stay, Briseis meets Patroclus, Achilles’ closest companion. Patroclus is kind and tells her of Achilles’ childhood. What made him become who he is. She starts seeing both men in a different light.

The first part of the book about one-third is the most interesting part, when Briseis arrives at the camp and observes Achilles and gets to know Patroclus. But once there is an argument between Achilles and Agamemnon the story is not as absorbing.

There are some parts I didn’t care for, due to dirt and heat there was an issue with rats and at that point it was all about rats – not so interesting. There is some repetition in retelling some parts of the story and also some things happening over and over again.

I read this following both Emily Wilson's The Odyssey and Madeleine Miller's Circe so I'm in ancient Greek heaven. This is a small slice of the Odyssey story about Briseis, a queen that was a prize of war awarded to the great Achilles. It's a fascinating take on the tale, one that is as gritty as it is beautiful, a book that lacks any sugar-coating and is full of difficult relationships that seem true to the human spirit, both the good and bad. In that, Barker is a true master, really bringing home the emotions of being in the midst of a terrible and bloody war and how that takes its toll on everyone within its circle.

My lack of five stars (why can't we give 4.5 stars?!) is more about the jarring shift of POV from Briseis to Achilles, which doesn't occur until halfway through the book and it comes without warning. There is also a 1st to 3rd person switch which normally I wouldn't object to, but Barker is so adept at making us feel close to Briseis that when we shift to Achilles' POV and don't have the same depth of understanding of who he is, it feels like a bit of a letdown.

That said, I ripped through this book in two nights--I just couldn't put it down.

For an alternate take on the same story, also check out Emily Hauser's For The Most Beautiful.

Thanks NetGalley, for the chance to check out an early copy of this novel in exchange for a non-biased review.

Interesting perspective on the end of the Trojan War. I would have loved to see more character development - I feel that I didn't really know the main characters. Still, very interesting.