Troy

by Richard Matturro

This reimagining of the Trojan War era brings to new life the fates of such legendary historical characters as Helen, Iphigenia, Hector, Achilles, and Odysseus

247 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1989

Reviews

[Caitlin McCrory · Rating 5 out of 5]

i picked this book up on a whim at my local library's book sale last year because i love classics studies and retellings. i wasn't sure which this would be, but when i read the synopsis on the back and it was all about helen, and a seemingly three dimensional helen at that, i had to take it home. the inside flap of my copy has one of those old library checkout card pockets, and it's stamped with the former name of my local university. this book was only checked out four times in february and april of 1997. i don't know how many times it was read between april 30th, 1997 and now, 29 years later, but i'm immensely happy it has ended up in my hands. i really loved this retelling of the end of the trojan war. i love the characterization that was given to all of the chiefs and princes, odysseus, and of course helen. i've often been disappointed with the way helen is regarded in other works i've read about these events. i feel she often gets used as solely a plot device at best or a cardboard cut-out of a stereotypical "mean girl" at worst. now, obviously, the whole book isn't about helen, but her parts were my favorites (alongside odysseus and hector). she really came alive in this book in a way i haven't encountered before - bonus points for her characterization being one i greatly resonate with haha
i think this is a fantastic trojan war story, and while part of me wishes the library hadn't discarded it so more people could read it, the other part of me is thrilled to have this on shelf

[Mike Shoop · Rating 3 out of 5]

A re-read that still holds up. Good re-imagining of the Trojan War and all the famous characters there. A book that moves quickly, with sharp characterizations and good dialogue that's easily understood by a modern reader. I've read so many novels about the Trojan War, it definitely seems like a real event to me, no matter that there are those scholars who believe it was only a myth.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid retelling of the Iliad.