In A Thousand Ships, Natalie Haynes takes the events of the Trojan War — along with what led to it and what followed — and offers them up in familiar form but a form as viewed/experienced through different eyes: those of the women from both sides who experienced as much if not more of the war’s horrors even if (save for one point-of-view) they didn’t actually fight in it.

Haynes frames her story through the voice of Calliope, who, as an unnamed poet (Homer one assumes) calls upon her to be his muse, wonders “How much epic poetry does the world really need . . . these stories have all been told, and countless times. Can he really believe he has something new to say?” Regardless, Calliope does engage, though perhaps not as the poet desired: I’m offering him the story of all the women in the war. Well, most of them.” And in short order we’re introduced to, among others: Penelope, Briseis, Chryseis, Iphigenia, Hecabe, Cassandra, Clytemnestra, and Andromache. Nearly 20 women in all — some Greek, some Trojan, some mortal, some divine (some half and half) — are given voice through a series of mostly short chapters. Some are given a single vignette to tell their tale; others we return to several times. Calliope, for instance, intervenes as a sort of meta-narrator, while Penelope shows up in the form of several letters she writes to the husband she will not see for 20 years.

Some of the stories will be highly familiar (spoiler alert for the millennia-old plots) — Clytemnestra killing of Agamemnon upon his return, Paris’ stealing away Helen, Penelope nightly unweaving a burial shroud to forestall the suitors. Others will be familiar to those who have read beyond the usual high school/college assignments, Haynes taking their stories from the lesser works (some fragments or even lost). And some were wholly unfamiliar to me, though if that’s from my lack of deep classical training or that Hayne’s spun them out of her own imagination I can’t say.

The different stories vary in their effectiveness, but there is a general flatness to many of them and unfortunately the whole is not greater than its parts. One of the problems is alluded to in the above quote by Calliope asking if there is anything new to bring to this oft-told tale, and I can’t say the shift to the women’s POV is enough “new.” One reason is that some of the stories are so familiar, and the chapters so short, that several of them read in large portions as summaries of stories we already know. Penelope’s letter especially fall prey to this, with them serving in large part to simply recap The Odyssey. Obviously, familiarity isn’t a barrier to success, as one can easily list of host of authors who have retold these same stories or others to great impact (see below), but those authors grow beyond the original tale, either by fleshing out the stories with far greater detail (and thus far greater “story”), taking them in different directions, or at the least elevating them beyond the simply familiar via style, language, or characterization. And A Thousand Ships just doesn’t offer enough of any of those possibilities.

Calliope is too blunt a tool as narrator, loudly announcing themes we should have picked up from the stories themselves — that the voices of women matter, that just because the stories left them out didn’t mean they were not there, that heroism can be displayed by other means than sticking someone with the sharp end of a stick. Penelope offers up the occasional bit of wittily wry commentary on her wayward husband’s journey but buried as it is amidst too much plot summary, she’s never given the chance to truly show us how, as she says, she’s more clever than “Clever Odysseus” beyond the well-worn tale of her weaving and unweaving. The story of Briseis also suffers from too much summary, robbing it of some of its impact at the end when, for the first time amongst her horrors, she cries. A section from Gaia’s point of view explaining the origin of the war, where she complains to Zeus of humanity becoming a crushing burden to her, “taking more from her that she had to give—trees denuded of their fruits, fields ploughed until they could give up no more crops,” is based on a few classical references, but it’s such an unfamiliar story to most I’m guessing that in its brevity and lack of context it will most be read as a clumsily-inserted attempt at environmental topicality (the cause most will remember — Paris choosing the most beautiful goddess from amongst Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite is actually one of the most lively vignettes).

That brevity works against several of the stories, which have their moments, and it can’t be denied at times their emotional impact, but because we haven’t spent much time with these characters individually, and we already knew what was going to happen to them, that impact is either blunted or doesn’t feel wholly earned, as is the case for instance with Iphigenia or, at the end, Andromache. While the sheer number of voices does provide, as Calliope says, “the chance to see the war from both ends . . . Epic in scale and subject,” it comes at a cost. That isn’t to say Haynes doesn’t provide any powerful moments, just that they’re too few and far between. Interestingly, I’d also say that the ones that do strike with the most impact are those centered on less familiar characters, such as the mountain nymph Paris abandoned for Helen, or the vignette involving the Goddess of Discord, Eris. I also found myself wishing that if the idea were to provide a multiplicity of voices, that we could have heard from several women who were not royal or divine. If heroism and importance isn’t limited to simply men, it also equally isn’t limited to higher classes.

Finally, while the language and style make for smooth passage through the novel, it doesn’t as noted elevate the material, rarely rising to a point where one lingers over the startlement of a metaphor, the beauty of a construction, the layering of meaning. It’s adequate to plot, but not, I’d say to story, if that makes sense. And here is where Haynes falls victim to simple bad luck.

It is certainly no fault of Natalie Haynes that A Thousand Ships comes out in recent memory of several others that also retold Greek myths from a female perspective, some of these very same stories from the very same points of view, albeit in much more moving, much more lyrically eloquent fashion: Madeline Miller’s Circe, Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls, and (albeit via a somewhat less feminist slant) House of Names by Colm Toiban. You write the book inside you when it’s inside you. Unfortunately though, those books — two absolutely fantastic and one good — can’t help but cast a long shadow on Haynes work. If I hadn’t read those three works in the past year, I would have hemmed and hawed on a recommendation for A Thousand Ships, but with those in mind, and fully understanding Haynes has a different intent, I can’t help but recommend that if you’re going to read any novelistic feminist retelling of a Greek myth, you should start with those three (in that order). And then, if you haven’t been sated on Greek myth, maybe turn to A Thousand Ships (though I might suggest earlier works to pick up first).

In the current trend of revisiting the classics with a feminist perspective, Haynes will find herself in the same conversations as Madeline Miller and Margaret Atwood. A Thousand Ships appears straightforward at first, but each section builds a new layer of depth to the stories told by and for men of their conquest, machismo, and “heroism.” The writing is crisp and impactful while allowing the emotions of the scenes to come to the forefront. An excellent read.

This novel isn't just a modern re-telling of the great Homeric epics. It's perfect for the classroom in the sense that it also follows all the textbook characteristics of the Modernist/Post-Modernist style. Teachers wishing to shine light on the misogyny, toxic masculinity, privileged perspectives, etc. of the classics could use this book as a contrast to the originals. The book is told instead from the silenced or limited points of view of the women of the Trojan epics, emphasizing an alternative definition of heroism as summoning the psychological strength to survive. It's also a testament to the down-home truism that no matter how good-looking or famous or strong some man is, some woman somewhere, even the ever-patient Penelope, is sick of his shit. Through multiple points of view and disjointed timelines, we see how the paragons of masculinity failed their women and how the disparities in power and social class corrupt absolutely in a painfully remembered past. Haynes also parallels the brutality of war with the brutality of her prose. Don't expect lyricism or beauty here. War doesn't make heroes; rather it's Gaia's tool of population control. The epic poets may have commanded Calliope to "Sing, Muse.," but Haynes' muse bites and scorns and stabs until the reader recognizes the old stories also include the worst as well as the best of god and man (and woman).

What an interesting take on the classics! Haynes gives us a story that combines the tales from the Iliad, the Odyssey, and others and offers us the tale from the female perspective. What readers know about the tale of the Trojan War is largely that Helen was stolen by Paris from her rightful husband Menelaus whose brother Agamemnon then leads the Greeks in a war against the Trojans to get her back. Hector kills Patroclus, Achilles kills Hector, and Odysseus goes on for another 10 years trying to find his way back home. This retelling gives us a glimpse into characters that may have only been mentioned in one line previously. It is an ode to how women are oftentimes forgotten about in the grand scheme of things but are prized possessions nonetheless. Penelope, Odysseus's wife, had a tendency to drone on at times. Not all that surprising due to the epic journey her husband had getting home. The muse Calliope was delightful and dispelled some of the gloom that surrounding the women's stories. A must read for all fans of Madeline Miller.

All the stars. Five stars. Ten stars. This book blew me away. I love fiction set in ancient times, and I am a sucker for anything involving the Trojan War, but this book was epic. Homer himself would be proud. Ms. Haynes does a fantastic job at bringing all of the characters and their individual storylines to life, Her prose is incredible and she deserves the award that this book was nominated for (in my not-so-humble opinion). If you loved "Silence of the Girls" by Pat Barker, this book will be your new favorite.

A Thousand Ships
A Novel
by Natalie Haynes
Harper
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction
Pub Date 26 Jan 2021 | Archive Date 23 Mar 2021

An interesting journey into the Trojan War and the women behind it. I liked the book. Thanks to Harper and NetGalley for the ARC.

3 star

I learned one thing from all of this: Paris was utterly, completely, and intolerably stupid.

This was so beautiful, brutal, and heavy. If you’re looking for a fluffy piece about the iconic but unheard women in your favorite Greek classics (though when have those stories ever been fluffy, honestly?), this isn’t the book for you. It’s raw, and it’s honest, and it hurts a little. Okay, a LOT. I like to think of certain books such as these as medicine: good for you, but hard to swallow.

I also really liked how Odysseus was written. He was (as always) infuriating, but clever. He’s the guy you just hate to love. And I absolutely adored Penelope’s perspective. The gradual souring of her temper as Odysseus takes his time coming home was a glorious wonder.

It was so fantastically written, but my heart broke for all of these women. These ferocious, unforgiving, strong women. The book gave a very much needed voice to the heroines in our most foundational classics. Oh, and did I mention how much I loved seeing these toddlers with horrifying power and unnatural beauty fight over an apple? I mean, erhm, the Greek Goddesses.

Big thank you to Harper Publishing + Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book!

An interesting journey into the Trojan War and the women connected to it. From royalty to the enslaved, goddesses to muses, Haynes' characters are relatable and the book, as a whole, is enjoyable. The chapters of some characters (primarily Calliope and Penelope) were more engaging and I found myself looking to return to their sections while reading through others.

Wow! This book is simply incredible! It is moving, thought-provoking, at times harrowing and brutal, and at other times, hopeful. Whenever I picked up "A Thousand Ships", I was whisked away on an adventure that had me turning the pages late into the night.

This is the first book I have read by Natalie Haynes, and it certainly won't be my last. Her writing style is so visceral, and this novel is exquisitely written. She breathtakingly brings to life the story of so many woman on all sides of the Trojan War, and you are drawn in from the first page to the last. While the book isn't written entirely chronologically, Ms. Haynes brilliantly connects every single chapter in one way or another. I was mesmerized from beginning to end.

Throughout this book, there are stories told through the eyes of many women, mortals and immortals. Calliope, a Muse, inspires a poet to to tell the truth of these women's stories, as they are often not brought to the forefront. Each and every one is equally important, and you feel for them: from their suffering, to their losses, to their hopes, to their wants and wishes, etc, you feel like you truly get into their heads. I found myself on the edge of my seat at many moments waiting to see what would happen next. Though not entirely sequential, as bits and pieces of each narration begin to form a bigger picture, the through line becomes so clear. Many other historical and mythological figures are mentioned in this book as well, and I can only imagine the amount of research Ms. Haynes must have done, as it is so clear how passionate she is about what she is writing. I felt like I truly traveled back in time and was right there witnessing everything occur.

If you enjoy Historical Fiction and / or Mythological Retellings, I highly recommend this book! It is different than anything else I have read, and is truly now one of my favorite books. I simply can't imagine what many of these women must have went through, and though many events in the book are difficult to read, they are told with truth and often heartbreaking honesty.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper for the ARC of this book, and to Harper for sending me a physical ARC as well, I was so moved by it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

As someone who has long been fascinated by mythology, this was a fantastic new perspective on a well-known tale. I was immediately drawn in by the focus this book put on the women of the myths, as they are often pushed to the background in favor of men. In this book, Natalie Haynes manages to add captivating depth and life to characters whose names we have known yet been unable to get more deeply acquainted with through the original myths and legends alone.

I have always loved the story of Helen of Troy. I’ve read many books about it, but never one quite like this. This rendition was special because you saw the story from multiple varying perspectives. Not only mortals, but goddesses as well. A few perspectives that were heard were Penelope, Circe, Cassandra, Calliope. Not only did the story discuss the Trojan War, but it went further.. with Odysseus’, and other warriors journeys home. I was so excited that Eris, who’s actions led to the war, was included. As a Discordian, Eris is all too familiar and I love stories where she presides. I will say that while this story was very enjoyable for me, I’m not sure what the experience would be for someone not as familiar with the mythology behind the story. It is written in piece meal from different perspectives, which was so interesting for someone who knows the story, but I’m not sure how it would resonate for someone unfamiliar.

“When a war was ended, the men lost their lives. But the women lost everything.”

“Because the Spartan king had lost his queen, a hundred queens lost their kings.”

Book Review for A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
Full review for this title can be found at: @fyebooks on Instagram!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

Natalie Haynes retelling of the tragedy of the Trojan War in A Thousand Ships, updates the epic for modern telling and brings the tales of the often ignored women of the piece to the forefront. Each chapter spotlights one character in the aftermath of a war they wanted no part of. Some end ok, some disappear offstage, but all leave a narrative mark. The highlight is the "letters" from Penelope to her wandering Odysseus sharing what she hears from bards about his wandering adventures. A very interesting novel

A retelling of the Trojan war and its aftermath. I enjoyed this book. The perspective was delightful, the writing was well done, and the book was overall enjoyable. The women in greek mythology were often portrayed as minor characters but they were rich and vibrant people and this book helps to illustrate that.

I have always loved learning about this period in time and the gods and goddess of the Greeks and Romans. This was a good read and I feel like will do really well amongst those who enjoy mythology and legend as much as I do.

Thanks mostly to cultural osmosis through a plethora of various media, I’ve long been familiar with the tale of the Trojan War. Or, to be both more specific and far more honest, I’ve long been familiar with the traditional tellings of the legendary conflict dominated by outsized male characters like Achilles, Agamemnon, Odysseus, Hector, and the like. And frankly, even with my personal longstanding general interest in mythology, this epic of battles raging on the plains below the walls of Troy, clashes of ego between rival Greek leaders, and deception via wooden horse has long since evoked any kind of interest from me at all. It’s been such a longstanding western classic and so culturally ubiquitous to the point where it had become stale.

Now that I’ve read Natalie Haynes “A Thousand Ships” though, I am definitely singing a bit of a different tune. Her spotlight upon all the women of the Trojan War, from mortals to muses to nymphs and all the way up to the goddesses of Mount Olympus, gives an overdue voice to half the population of the epic after spending centuries at the margins. And by doing so, to be bluntly enthusiastic on my part, the author has created the most genuinely engrossing and fantastically refreshing take on this legendary war that I have ever had the privilege to read to date, period.

For the many out there who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s “Circe,” this is another focus-shifted contemporary retelling from Greek mythology that is definitely not to be missed out on.