The Trojan war has finally ended and the Greeks are on their way home with the spoils of war. These "spoils" include the women of Troy whom they have enslaved.

We see the voyage through the eyes of Ritsa (formerly an "assistant" to Briseis from the previous books) This story is told in the first person which adds to the immediacy and the vivid evocation of the ship etc. She is accompanying Cassandra , daughter to King Priam. As a priestess she was “visited” by Apollo and given the power of prophecy. However, it is a gift which is ambiguous as nobody believes the prophecies she makes, claiming that she is mad (an easy way for her to be “dismissed” and ignored in the way that has happened to many women. Think about the Woman in White many centuries later) Cassandra has been "married" to Agamemnon.

Awaiting them is Clytemnestra (sister to the beautiful Helen) Barker acknowledges that all marriages have a complex history, but this history is certainly a very complicated one, as she must confront her feelings towards Agamemnon sacrificing her beloved daughter for a fair wind to Troy.

The family of Atreus, to which Agamemnon belongs to by birth and Clytemnestra by marriage has been cursed in the past and Clytemnestra is likely to perpetuate this violence and conflict. This rings true because even though a family may not have been cursed literally, there is still trauma passed from one generation to another.

Barker's skill is to bring the women out of the shadows and make them more “alive”. There is obviously stiff “competition”. Colm Toibin in The House of Names has written about Clytemnestra, amongst other writers.

What I love about Barker's Voyage Home is the very vivid evocation of the scenes. The atmospheric, visceral descriptions of the wooden ship on which they sail home (comparable to the start of The Women of Troy with its scene inside the wooden horse) The claustrophobia , labyrinthine nature of the palace with its "ghosts" makes you shudder just reading it.

I also love Barker's use of more contemporary language. With another author I would be underlining "anachronisms" all the way through, but with Barker it's different because she is using this deliberately to make us relate to the characters more. I also love her "earthy" feel, showing her "working class roots". She deals with "slaves" and rulers in an equitable way, never shying away from the bawdy songs of the soldiers for example.

On the subject of "rulers" , leadership becomes a theme. If Clytemnestra confronts her husband publicly it will impact on his leadership. She knows from bitter experience about the compromises rulers must sometimes make.

I feel like I have read enough retellings of Greek mythology for now, but made an exception for Barker as I will do for Madeline Miller.

A crescendo ending to the trilogy

Pat Barker's third Greek myth novel, 'The Voyage Home' centres around the end of the war on Troy, and the return home of King Agamemnon and his remaining soldiers, 10yrs after they set out. As in her other books, Barker chronicles the female perspective: Ritsa, a "catch-fart" or body slave, Cassandra, Prium's daughter and Agamemnon's concubine, and Clytemnestra, Agamemnon's wife. Whilst the men are sure that Agamemnon's sacrifice of his daughter Iphigenia will be forgiven and forgotten on their return to Mycenae, Cassandra views things differently. However, despite being a prophet, ,she was condemned by Apollo never to be believed.

Barker uses modern dialogue and terms throughout her Greek myth novels, rather than attempting to focus on only what the characters would have known at the time. For some reason, in this novel, it felt more noticeable, with children's rhymes and colloquialisms used that wouldn't have been around at the time. However, whilst this initially jarred it didn't detract from the pace and emotion of the story, particularly from Clytemnestra. There is also a strong gothic flavour in this novel, with strange goings on within the Palace, linked to intergenerational cycles of tragedy and revenge. As with Barker's other novels I would highly recommend this as an enjoyable and quick read.

This is the retelling of Cassandra, the princess and cursed prophetess of Troy.
It is dark to some extent, and layered - the supernatural elements were a nice addition.
All the women in this retelling are multidimensional.
I recommend this to anyone who was already a fan of Cassandra’s story and those who are new to her story, but like a feminist recounting of Greek mythology.

The prose 3.5
Characterisation 4.5
Plot 4
Mood 4

I have eagerly awaited this book, wanting to know what comes next for Breisis and the other women. Unfortunately- and this is my only criticism- they are left standing on a beach waiting to be transported to an unknown future. ( There has to be a book 4!)
Instead the story focuses on Cassandra, taken by Agamemnon as a concubine, and Brisa, still a slave but now Cassandra’s maid. They are taken with him on his ‘triumphal’ return journey to Mycenae, his home city.
We are also introduced to Clytemnestra, Agamemnon’s wife, left to rule an increasingly impoverished kingdom for 10 years, and secretly nursing a bitter hatred of her husband.
As with the first two tales, the writing is excellent; evocative, thought-provoking and at times disturbing
Unlike the first two books, which focus on the suffering and strength of the captive women, this tale considers the fate of the children both of Troy and Mycenae.
Brisa is an extremely well-written character, Cassandra and Clytemnestra are both complex and driven and all three have good reason to hate Agamemnon, who is an absolute monster, teetering on the brink of madness.

I love a Greek mythology and this third book in the series was just as good as Pat Baker’s other books! I really enjoyed it and will always love her mythology retellings! Thank you for the ARC!

The Voyage Home is the third instalment in the Women of Troy series, and follows Cassandra, cursed prophet and war prize of Agamemnon, and the enslaved Rista, as they journey to the cursed palace of Mycenae wherein Agamemnon’s wronged wife Clytemnestra waits to enact her bloody revenge. Barker switches between first and third perspective as they continue to centre the stories of the unheard women of Greek myth. The story succeeds in creating a claustrophobic atmosphere, both in prose and setting, as Mycenae is haunted by the atrocious acts of house Atreus. Barker explores the responses to the trauma the women have experienced as a result of the war, seen in Cassandra’s acceptance of her fate, Rista’s unrest and hope for more, and Clytemnestra’s fury and desire for revenge. I will say that I missed the perspective of Briseis as I had grown attached to her character in the previous two instalments, but nevertheless still thoroughly enjoyed the new perspectives in this book. I would recommend The Voyage Home to fans of feminist retellings wanting to hear the stories of silenced women.

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review*

Absolutely brilliant and engrossing storytelling. This author captivated readers from the very first page, draws you into the lives, loves and horrors of the characters, and you struggle to stop reading.
Loved it, and I’m sure other readers will too.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.

The Voyage Home is the third book in the Women of Troy series and mainly follows three characters: Cassandra, princess of Troy and now Agamemnon's concubine; Ritsa, her servant; and Clytemnestra, Agamemnon's wife.
I was looking forward to this book, because it covers a myth which I really like and I wasn't disappointed. Like in all the books in the series, the mythological setting serves as a commentary on the atrocities of war and especially on the horrors which the surviving women have to endure. From the start I got really attached to Ritsa. Most of the story was narrated by her and I really liked her character. Her narration is alternated by chapters told from Cassandra's or Clytemnestra's point of view, and again this worked really well. I thought all three women were very well characterized. Cassandra was very fascinating, and her relationship with Ritsa was very interesting. As for Clytemnestra, I liked how, despite the fact she was bent on revenge, she was mostly a broken, desperate woman. Her fragility was very well portrayed and I really felt for her. Lastly, even if not as intriguing as the three main characters, I also quite liked Electra's portrayal, which I found quite original.

I really enjoyed this third and final instalment of the Trojan War novels. This one continued on to explore the impact of the war on forgotten female voices and I really enjoyed the perspective of Ritsa. I’m not sure how I feel about the added supernatural elements. They were creepy and effective but felt a bit out of place compared to the first two novels. A really great read though that I would recommend to others!

This is the third and last book of the Trojan war trilogy by Pat Barker, celebrated for her powerful historical narratives, offers a fresh take on ancient myths with “The Voyage Home”. This book reimagines the turbulent return journey of Greek heroes after the Trojan War, delving into themes of feminism, rape and violence.

Reading the book was an intense and emotional experience. Barker’s skillful prose captures the profound struggles of these legendary figures, drawing readers into their psyche. The strong, vividly drawn characters, from battle-weary Odysseus to haunted Agamemnon, make the story deeply engaging, breathing new life into these timeless heroes.

I highly recommend “The Voyage Home” book to those who appreciate Greek mythology retellings and historical fiction.

My thanks to Penguin General UK for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley.

The third (and final ?) book by Pat Barker surrounding the events and fallout of the Trojan War. This third episode more than stands up to the strength of the former two. We follow Cassandra and her maid in this book. You can feel the tension and sense of doom on every page. Utterly brilliant.

'Over the years, I must have learned the medicinal uses of... oh I don't know, hundreds of plants, and never yet found one to cure stupidity.'

The Voyage Home ties up the trilogy in a neat, little, blood coloured bow.

Following on from The Silence of the Girls and The Women of Troy, we follow Ritsa, an enslaved victim of the Trojan war, put in the position of caring for the seemingly insane princess Cassandra. We're ten years outside of the war and the Greeks are returning home. Agamnemnon is returning home to his scheming wife Clytemnestra waiting for the perfect time to take revenge for his sacrificing of their daughter.

I adore Pat Barker's writing style, it's descriptive, lyrical, and just all around beautiful, even when describing less than beautiful things. She has perfected the claustrophobic atmosphere of the haunting prophecy that Cassandra brings.

Huge thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.

"Justice. Revenge. Call it what you like, it turned out, in the end, to be a prerogative of the rich and powerful."

I was so excited to be offered an arc of this book - I read The Women of Troy several years ago, but I don't think I appreciated it fully until I read The Silence of the Girls earlier this year. Barker has an incredibly raw and open way of talking about the women victimised by war, and this story in particular was an interesting departure from the perspective of the first two books in the series.

Following Ritsa, an enslaved victim of the Trojan war, as she is tasked with caring for the seemingly mad princess, Cassandra, A Voyage Home explores revenge, loss, and powerlessness. I really enjoyed the complexity of these themes, especially how they were expressed through the character of Clytemnestra - who is a notoriously complicated and divisive figure! These three women's experiences are framed against a backdrop of trauma and loss. Through their stories, the narrative acknowledges the brutal fate of women on the margins of both a female community, and society as a whole.

There were some noticeable departures from earlier books in the series - namely, the introduction of supernatural elements, and the shift in narrative voice. It did feel at the beginning as though without Briseis' narration, some of the nuance of her character was lost - but Ritsa, Cassandra, and Clytemnestra each offered a frank reflection on war that paid homage to the rest of the series.

This is not an easy book to read, and unapologetically addresses brutal and potentially triggering ideas, but in a highly considered way. Barker incorporates elements of classical literature into her interpretation of warfare, and offers a uniquely honest perspective. If you're a fan of mythological retellings - particularly the stories of ancient Greece, I would urge you to give this series a go.

Books with similar vibes - A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes, The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, Clytemnestra by Constanza Casati, and Elektra by Jennifer Saint.

I loved that this story takes place after the events of Troy as there are so many retellings that focus on the build up and the battle that it’s always nice to have a new story. The descriptions were so realistic and harrowing but written in an easy to follow way. It was very matter of fact and the POV from the narrator was really good.

The Voyage Home is the third book in the Women of Troy series. It is told from first person POV of the slave Ritsa who we saw in the previous book. We also see Clytemnestra in third person. The Trojan war is now over after ten years and the Greeks are going home alongside their captured Trojan women. Ritsa is the maid to Cassandra who is enslaved as a concubine to King Agamemnon. She has visions particularly ones of her and Agamemnon’s death. Queen Clytemnestra is waiting for Agamemnon’s return but she is shattered after he killed their daughter as a sacrifice to the Gods. She wants vengeance and has been plotting it for the last ten years. Both Clytemnestra’s and Cassandra’s fates are intertwined and the homecoming will change everything.

I had a great time reading this and I’m giving it 5 stars. Despite being burnt out on Greek mythology retellings I really enjoyed this. Pat Barker just has such a distinctive narrative voice and I loved it. I read the last book in this series in 2021 when it released and despite it being 3 years ago I could easily get into this book without rereading the previous one. It can be hard to remember all the people in Greek myth retellings but I easily remembered who was who and how each character was connected. This discussed a lot of themes such as autonomy, slavery and power which can easily be applied to the modern day. I really enjoyed this and it was very compelling. I wanted to savour this but I ended up reading it in once day. I had such a good reading experience and this is a must read for fans of this series. I would argue Pat Barker is the best author when it comes to retellings of Greek Mythology.

The decade-long Trojan War has finally ended with the Greeks collecting their spoils - which include many of the surviving women of Troy. High-born women are both sought after and swiftly enslaved by their Greek captors.

Barker does an excellent job of delving into their plight - not least Cassandra and her maid Ritsa, the former being married off to Agamemnon, and haunted by what she sees as their fate.

After all, Agamemnon is not known for his happy marriages. Quite the contrary as his Queen Clytemnestra, devastated at her husband's decision to sacrifice their daughter Iphigenia, can testify.

But there is a reckoning coming for the King's actions. And both women will be at the centre of things... This is an insightful read that does not hesitate to poke into the darkest corners of the human soul. It gets 3.5 stars.

The third of the Silence of the Girls/Women of Troy trilogy, this was a wonderful conclusion to the telling of what happened to the women so often ignored in literature about the end of the Trojan War. The characters are well formed and realistic, and the whole book is a joy to read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

I have really enjoyed all of the Women of Troy series, I would be surprised if they didn’t end up becoming modern classics. The prose is beautiful and lulling, easing you into the lives of these women.

This one suffered a little through the loss of Briesis, who was the main protagonist of the previous two novels, but her departure made sense in terms of the story and two out of the three narrators were well enough developed by this point that the switch in perspective was not too painful. In my opinion it was masterfully done. I never liked Cassandra as a character, but Ritsa worked well as an observer type character and Clytemnestra is a fascinating character. What I loved about this one was the fact that two out of the three characters were middle aged, giving older women their time in the spotlight.

I am not convinced this is the last book in the series, which is about the Trojan war and its far reaching consequences. This is a rich and detailed mythological world and I think this story has been set up whereby you could follow Electra on one side, Clytemnestra on another and then introduce Penelope. And if so, I will be eagerly awaiting the next one.

The Silence of the Girls was one of the books that started me back into my obsession with the ancient civilisations and so this book is bittersweet. I’m sad that it’s over but once again Barker brings it home her bluntly honest and brutal style, never shying away from the harsh realities faced by the captured Trojan women.

Whilst this is ostensibly Cassandra’s story the true limelight belongs to her body slave Ritsa. Cassandra now in the light of her final prophecy is much calmer than when last we saw her. Her frenzy gone and instead she must try to endure the vicious attentions of Agamemnon. Ritsa meanwhile grounds the story her interactions with both the royals and the everyday people as she navigates the enormous change in her life, enslaved in foreign country, never to see her home again. She is also trying to workout her feelings for Cassandra whom she loves, loathes, and pities in equal measure, whilst she keeps running into friends from home now slaving in the palace.
Clytemnestra’s rage and determination is ever present but I like the change in her relationship with Aegisthus which adds another layer of tension with unfounded rumours and trying to work out what the other is doing.

The narrative takes less than four days from beginning to end creating a really solid pacy end to the series that propels the reader along without it lagging or feeling frenetic.

I’m going to miss this brilliant series.

I love Pat Barker's Women of Troy books so much - the first two in the series were excellent and I couldn't wait for this one. I wondered which ship and general we'd be following - I thought it might be Ulysses, but it is actually the Trojan prophetess Cassandra we accompany as she sails with king Agamnemnon back his homeland, where his wife Clytemnestra waits to extract her revenge for his murder of their daughter Iphigenia.
Cassandra's story is told through the eyes of Ritsa, slavewoman of an enslaved woman, and as the inevitable tragedy draws ever nearer, we are sucked into a world of myth and legend that nevertheless seems real.
The author's narrative is down to earth and authentic, the characters are very rerlatable to the modern reader, without the language ever being anachronistic. Sights, sounds and smells of ancient Greece are evoked through the creaking ships, the splendid but empty palaces, the bustling harbours, the brooding tombs, the feasts, the medicines, the quarrels, the revenge.
The air of menace, of tragedy and a fate that cannot be avoided are redolent of the great writer Homer himself, but so much more acessible to today's reader. And of course, the women now take centre stage, showing the Greek and Trojan heroes for the mortal and often miserable men they must have been.
A feminist take on the Greek myths is very welcome when it is done as skilfully and entertainingly as this. Pat Barker is a genius storyteller.