A Thousand Ships

I love books that are complex with lots of layers and challenges. And Greek mythology fascinates me. I'm a huge fan of Madeline Miller's Circe and The Song of Achilles, so I never expected to like this book as much, but I did.

This story tells what happens to the women when their men go to war, what it's like to be female in an ancient male-dominated society, and the dismal destiny of those who survive the war. It's clever and insightful, showing that war is won and lost on the battlefield and by those left behind. It's not always an easy read, especially at the start, but it wasn't long before I was totally captivated and didn't want the story to end. Highly recommend.

This retelling of the fall of Troy explores the dark side of Greek war heroes. It's told from the perspective of the women with many messages about the strength it takes to stay behind. It delves into the desire for revenge and the bonds that help them survive when captured.

In A Thousand Ships, Natalie Haynes retells the story of the Trojan War through the eyes of the women - wives, mothers, queens, and goddesses - whose lives are forever changed by it. As Troy falls and the victors claim their spoils, the women who remain must find strength, resilience, and voice in the aftermath of destruction.

We hear from queens like Hecuba, who mourns her lost children, and goddesses like Athena and Calliope, who demand their stories be told. Through these intertwining narratives, Haynes gives voice to the silenced and forgotten, reminding us that behind every war are the women who endure its consequences.

1. The story is told from the perspectives of many different women and several timelines. Did you like this format? Did it add or take away from the story?

2. Did you have a favorite female story or character? A least favorite?

3. The women who survive face a dismal life as slaves to the Greek victors. Do you think the author was able to portray their fear and anguish? Their desire for revenge? Do you think you could survive becoming a slave to your enemy?

4. Did reading about the female perspective of this war change your view on the Trojan War in particular or war in general? Have you ever thought about the consequences of war on those left behind before reading this story?

5. Who do you think is responsible for starting the Trojan War that led to the fall of Troy - the Gods, humans, or Helen?

6. Discuss your thoughts and emotions about the practice of sacrificing humans to appease the Gods. Did any sacrifice depicted in the book surprise you more than others? What would you do if you knew you were to be sacrificed?

7. Did you give the Gods and Goddesses' stories more weight than the human stories? Did you enjoy one more than the other? What did you think about their interactions?

8. Did you have a favorite or least favorite male character?

9. This book was short-listed for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020. What do you think made it worthy of this nomination?