Take a photo of a barcode or cover
monetp 's review for:
The Silence of the Girls
by Pat Barker
3.5 stars
“Silence becomes a woman.' Every woman I’ve ever known was brought up on that saying.”
If fans of Greek history/mythology are rising out of their [a:Madeline Miller|176372|Madeline Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1322861610p2/176372.jpg] coma, then this book is the perfect choice. It combines what's great about [b:The Song of Achilles|11250317|The Song of Achilles|Madeline Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331154660l/11250317._SX50_.jpg|16176791]; the fragility, the human treatment of Achilles and lovely depiction of Achilles' relationship with Patroclus; and what's great about [b:Circe|35959740|Circe|Madeline Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565909496l/35959740._SY75_.jpg|53043399]; the female narrative, the change in perspective and the new depiction of a classic character.
I love how [a:Pat Barker|4000|Pat Barker|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1539120639p2/4000.jpg] wasn't afraid to take a classic character and reinvent her. Only hardcore Greek mythology fans know who Briseis is, and mostly from the 2004 movie "Troy." However, Barker gives new life and purpose to Briseis. She's no longer just Achilles' girlfriend, one night stand, or great love. Barker allows Briseis to take control of her own story. Almost the entire book is told through the perspective of a woman, something that wars are hardly ever told from.
The only critiques I have concern the plot structure and length. 291 pages doesn't seem like a lot, but 150 of the pages was just describing Briseis's conversations with women at the camp. These were essential bonding moments that I enjoyed reading, but the writing style was too repetitive. Every day felt like the same and not much action happened except at the beginning of the book and the end. If days in the encampment were more exciting and if we as readers got to know more of Achilles's character, it would have been more interesting to read about. Instead, it was 100ish pages of Briseis repeating how miserable she was every day. This led to little character development until right at the end of the book.
“Silence becomes a woman.' Every woman I’ve ever known was brought up on that saying.”
If fans of Greek history/mythology are rising out of their [a:Madeline Miller|176372|Madeline Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1322861610p2/176372.jpg] coma, then this book is the perfect choice. It combines what's great about [b:The Song of Achilles|11250317|The Song of Achilles|Madeline Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331154660l/11250317._SX50_.jpg|16176791]; the fragility, the human treatment of Achilles and lovely depiction of Achilles' relationship with Patroclus; and what's great about [b:Circe|35959740|Circe|Madeline Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565909496l/35959740._SY75_.jpg|53043399]; the female narrative, the change in perspective and the new depiction of a classic character.
I love how [a:Pat Barker|4000|Pat Barker|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1539120639p2/4000.jpg] wasn't afraid to take a classic character and reinvent her. Only hardcore Greek mythology fans know who Briseis is, and mostly from the 2004 movie "Troy." However, Barker gives new life and purpose to Briseis. She's no longer just Achilles' girlfriend, one night stand, or great love. Barker allows Briseis to take control of her own story. Almost the entire book is told through the perspective of a woman, something that wars are hardly ever told from.
The only critiques I have concern the plot structure and length. 291 pages doesn't seem like a lot, but 150 of the pages was just describing Briseis's conversations with women at the camp. These were essential bonding moments that I enjoyed reading, but the writing style was too repetitive. Every day felt like the same and not much action happened except at the beginning of the book and the end. If days in the encampment were more exciting and if we as readers got to know more of Achilles's character, it would have been more interesting to read about. Instead, it was 100ish pages of Briseis repeating how miserable she was every day. This led to little character development until right at the end of the book.