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Helen of Troy: Her true story was never told
Long ago, in the Age of Bronze there lived a king who was blessed with a daughter so beautiful, that it was said that she would be remembered for all time.
Her story was told by men, in order to entertain other men, and much was lost, and much was changed, even her true name.
Her true story was never told
The legend of Troy is a treasure of our shared cultural heritage, a love story which portrayed Helen as a woman, so beautiful, that her disappearance would cause the great Trojan War, but just scratch the surface and we find that there is very little about Helen herself, her background, her feelings and the events of the rest of her life.
The original story was handed down by word of mouth for hundreds of years. It was told and retold by men to entertain audiences of men and the fictional content which has been added has obscured the true stories behind the legends.
Rediscovering Helen
This new book peels back the layers of the myth to reveal a very different Helen, not a passive prize but a formidable Bronze Age queen, respected for her wisdom, power and influence.
Bringing together ancient legends and modern research, this powerful novel unwraps a convincing backdrop of court intrigues, shifting alliances and the politics of ancient kingdoms. The narrative plunges readers into the glittering kingdoms of the Bronze Age and the worship of the mother goddess.
This modern work of fiction takes the story back, very close to its original version, breathing fresh life into the story of Helen and her one great love affair, not flirtation and betrayal, but profound love and loyalty in a turbulent age. This is still a love story, but now the leading characters are real people with depth and passion. Be prepared for a major work and a gripping tale.
When history meets legend
Many aspects of the Troy legend have now been shown to be fiction. Some of the main characters simply did not exist and parts of the tale were borrowed from other stories, but Helen herself was real enough.
About the author
Bruce Johnson's published research on the age of Troy has established a whole new factual outline of what really happened and now, in this fictional account, he portrays Helen as she might really have been, a powerful queen, a high priestess and a loyal wife, caught up in the wars and politics of men.
Her story was told by men, in order to entertain other men, and much was lost, and much was changed, even her true name.
Her true story was never told
The legend of Troy is a treasure of our shared cultural heritage, a love story which portrayed Helen as a woman, so beautiful, that her disappearance would cause the great Trojan War, but just scratch the surface and we find that there is very little about Helen herself, her background, her feelings and the events of the rest of her life.
The original story was handed down by word of mouth for hundreds of years. It was told and retold by men to entertain audiences of men and the fictional content which has been added has obscured the true stories behind the legends.
Rediscovering Helen
This new book peels back the layers of the myth to reveal a very different Helen, not a passive prize but a formidable Bronze Age queen, respected for her wisdom, power and influence.
Bringing together ancient legends and modern research, this powerful novel unwraps a convincing backdrop of court intrigues, shifting alliances and the politics of ancient kingdoms. The narrative plunges readers into the glittering kingdoms of the Bronze Age and the worship of the mother goddess.
This modern work of fiction takes the story back, very close to its original version, breathing fresh life into the story of Helen and her one great love affair, not flirtation and betrayal, but profound love and loyalty in a turbulent age. This is still a love story, but now the leading characters are real people with depth and passion. Be prepared for a major work and a gripping tale.
When history meets legend
Many aspects of the Troy legend have now been shown to be fiction. Some of the main characters simply did not exist and parts of the tale were borrowed from other stories, but Helen herself was real enough.
About the author
Bruce Johnson's published research on the age of Troy has established a whole new factual outline of what really happened and now, in this fictional account, he portrays Helen as she might really have been, a powerful queen, a high priestess and a loyal wife, caught up in the wars and politics of men.
491 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2025
About the author
Bruce W. Johnson
14 books10 followersAs an author my aim is to bring happiness to my readers.
I have always had a fascination with history, and way back in 1985 I decided to write a novel based on the Trojan Wars. That proved to be extremely difficult because the well known story of Troy simply did not agree with the findings of modern archaeologists. I spent thirty years doing research in my spare time and produced three non-fiction books on the Late Bronze Age, until finally I had command of the facts and could finally complete the historical romance book which I had always planned. That book was called "Helen of Troy - Her true story was never told" and I think the reviews I have received will provide you with an excellent introduction.
Along the way I undertook another pet project, with three books of fantasy stories starting with "Demon Tales." There was a pattern running through these short stories, a particular reason for writing them, but it would be a spoiler if explained it here. Its all in the last story of each book.
I have also written two light-hearted books packed with funny stories; "Inspirations" charts my career as a schoolteacher, spending 45 years working with teenagers. "Conversations" begins with an incident when I was arrested in Russia, leading to conversations and reminiscences, a wide-ranging collection of funny stories, tall-tales and anecdotes. That set is not yet complete - one day I hope to publish the story of my family which I have traced back before 1500.
Knowing that someone has enjoyed my writing means more to me than royalties or fame ever could. Whether you are an old friend or a new fan, I look forward to your reviews and your messages.
Bruce
I have always had a fascination with history, and way back in 1985 I decided to write a novel based on the Trojan Wars. That proved to be extremely difficult because the well known story of Troy simply did not agree with the findings of modern archaeologists. I spent thirty years doing research in my spare time and produced three non-fiction books on the Late Bronze Age, until finally I had command of the facts and could finally complete the historical romance book which I had always planned. That book was called "Helen of Troy - Her true story was never told" and I think the reviews I have received will provide you with an excellent introduction.
Along the way I undertook another pet project, with three books of fantasy stories starting with "Demon Tales." There was a pattern running through these short stories, a particular reason for writing them, but it would be a spoiler if explained it here. Its all in the last story of each book.
I have also written two light-hearted books packed with funny stories; "Inspirations" charts my career as a schoolteacher, spending 45 years working with teenagers. "Conversations" begins with an incident when I was arrested in Russia, leading to conversations and reminiscences, a wide-ranging collection of funny stories, tall-tales and anecdotes. That set is not yet complete - one day I hope to publish the story of my family which I have traced back before 1500.
Knowing that someone has enjoyed my writing means more to me than royalties or fame ever could. Whether you are an old friend or a new fan, I look forward to your reviews and your messages.
Bruce
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 25, 2026
Captivating and enlightening.
I’m not usually a reader of historical semi-fiction, but this book turned out to be extremely captivating. Instead of retelling the Trojan myth in a familiar way, Bruce W. Johnson reframes Helen’s story through a grounded, thoughtful, and deeply human lens. It’s clear the author has done an excellent job aligning mythology with historical context, and the inclusion of maps, genealogical trees, and reference materials makes the reading experience not only more immersive but genuinely enlightening.
Selene—Helen’s name in this retelling—is the central protagonist, and we follow her journey from childhood through her growth into a powerful, politically significant woman. While her personal arc anchors the narrative, the story also weaves in numerous historical figures and cultural references, enriching the world and giving the novel a broader historical scope. Rather than reducing Helen to a symbol or a scapegoat, the book presents her as a complex individual shaped by power, expectation, and circumstance.
Perhaps the most striking element is seeing a male author tell this legendary story through a feminist perspective—it feels both refreshing and necessary. The result is a powerful reexamination of myth, agency, and reputation, one that challenges long-held narratives about blame and legacy. I’ve read other works by Bruce W. Johnson, and once again I’m amazed by his ability to move confidently across genres while maintaining depth, insight, and emotional resonance.
I’m not usually a reader of historical semi-fiction, but this book turned out to be extremely captivating. Instead of retelling the Trojan myth in a familiar way, Bruce W. Johnson reframes Helen’s story through a grounded, thoughtful, and deeply human lens. It’s clear the author has done an excellent job aligning mythology with historical context, and the inclusion of maps, genealogical trees, and reference materials makes the reading experience not only more immersive but genuinely enlightening.
Selene—Helen’s name in this retelling—is the central protagonist, and we follow her journey from childhood through her growth into a powerful, politically significant woman. While her personal arc anchors the narrative, the story also weaves in numerous historical figures and cultural references, enriching the world and giving the novel a broader historical scope. Rather than reducing Helen to a symbol or a scapegoat, the book presents her as a complex individual shaped by power, expectation, and circumstance.
Perhaps the most striking element is seeing a male author tell this legendary story through a feminist perspective—it feels both refreshing and necessary. The result is a powerful reexamination of myth, agency, and reputation, one that challenges long-held narratives about blame and legacy. I’ve read other works by Bruce W. Johnson, and once again I’m amazed by his ability to move confidently across genres while maintaining depth, insight, and emotional resonance.
March 20, 2026
The story of Helen of Troy is one many of us know—she’s the beautiful woman whose face started a war, the kind of legend that gets passed down through generations. But if you think about it, most versions of her story focus on her looks and the chaos she caused, not who she really was. This book takes a different approach. It tries to tell the story of Helen as a real person, not just a symbol of beauty.
One thing that really comes through in this book is the honest feelings behind the story. It’s clear that Bruce cares about giving Helen her true voice. Instead of just repeating old tales, he wants us to understand her as a woman of strength, wisdom, and loyalty—a queen who had her own thoughts and feelings. It’s refreshing to see her portrayed as more than just a pretty face; she’s a full person caught up in a complicated world.
The book also does a great job of analyzing the bigger picture—things like the politics, the alliances, and the religious beliefs of that time. The author combines old legends with recent research to paint a picture of the Bronze Age that feels real and alive. The story takes us into royal courts, shows us the shifting relationships between kings and queens, and introduces us to gods and worship practices from long ago. It’s like stepping into a world that’s both fascinating and believable.
The writing style is easy to follow, but it doesn’t skip on important details. The story flows smoothly, and Bruce balances storytelling with facts. It’s clear he’s put a lot of thought into making Helen’s world feel authentic. The book makes you think about what loyalty, power, and love really mean—things we still care about today. It’s a story that invites you to reflect, not just read passively.
What I appreciated most was the respectful tone. The author clearly wants to honor Helen’s memory and show her as a person of importance, not just a legend. He respects the fact that her story has been changed and exaggerated over the years and wants to set the record straight. It’s a gentle reminder that stories, especially old ones, are often more complicated than they seem. The author’s care and honesty come through in every chapter, making it a thoughtful read.
This book also feels very relatable. It doesn’t talk down to the reader or make assumptions. It makes you wonder about the women in history who don’t always get their stories told, and about how legends can hide the real people behind them. It’s easy to connect with the idea that everyone’s story is more than just what others say about them.
In the end, this book offers a fresh look at Helen of Troy—moving beyond the legend to see her as a real woman with her own hopes and struggles. It’s a kind and honest story that makes you think about the power of myths and the importance of understanding history from all sides. For anyone interested in history, legends, or just good storytelling, it’s a thoughtful and meaningful read.
One thing that really comes through in this book is the honest feelings behind the story. It’s clear that Bruce cares about giving Helen her true voice. Instead of just repeating old tales, he wants us to understand her as a woman of strength, wisdom, and loyalty—a queen who had her own thoughts and feelings. It’s refreshing to see her portrayed as more than just a pretty face; she’s a full person caught up in a complicated world.
The book also does a great job of analyzing the bigger picture—things like the politics, the alliances, and the religious beliefs of that time. The author combines old legends with recent research to paint a picture of the Bronze Age that feels real and alive. The story takes us into royal courts, shows us the shifting relationships between kings and queens, and introduces us to gods and worship practices from long ago. It’s like stepping into a world that’s both fascinating and believable.
The writing style is easy to follow, but it doesn’t skip on important details. The story flows smoothly, and Bruce balances storytelling with facts. It’s clear he’s put a lot of thought into making Helen’s world feel authentic. The book makes you think about what loyalty, power, and love really mean—things we still care about today. It’s a story that invites you to reflect, not just read passively.
What I appreciated most was the respectful tone. The author clearly wants to honor Helen’s memory and show her as a person of importance, not just a legend. He respects the fact that her story has been changed and exaggerated over the years and wants to set the record straight. It’s a gentle reminder that stories, especially old ones, are often more complicated than they seem. The author’s care and honesty come through in every chapter, making it a thoughtful read.
This book also feels very relatable. It doesn’t talk down to the reader or make assumptions. It makes you wonder about the women in history who don’t always get their stories told, and about how legends can hide the real people behind them. It’s easy to connect with the idea that everyone’s story is more than just what others say about them.
In the end, this book offers a fresh look at Helen of Troy—moving beyond the legend to see her as a real woman with her own hopes and struggles. It’s a kind and honest story that makes you think about the power of myths and the importance of understanding history from all sides. For anyone interested in history, legends, or just good storytelling, it’s a thoughtful and meaningful read.
December 28, 2025
Touched by Fire
First off, I have to say it's been many years since I've read an epic saga of this scope, reminding me of James Michner's Hawaii or The Source in it's historical accuracy and complexity. This author is brilliant at weaving historical facts with intelligent conjecture to create a rich, detailed world that made me feel as if I'd been transported to 1200 BCE, and could, like a time traveler, observe the ancient world's hub civilizations in Greece / Laconia / Sparta and Turkey / Troy as well as the surrounding areas of historic influence. From how to make cement to the uses of various plants to the preparation of food to the art of war to ancient phallophoria rituals to the thousands of details he included in his characters' everyday life, it all felt real in every sense.
His battle scenes were superb. I don't know where or how he managed to find all of this information, let alone distill it to create believable ancient war tactics and strategy, but he did.
His history on and interpretation of the Mother / goddess worship was equally impressive. In addition to the accuracy of the research, this had been, bar none, the best book honoring women and matriarchal cultures that I have ever read.
The story of Selene / Helen of Troy drew me in. Unlike some of the modern day "fluff" romances where one only gets to see surface emotions and actions, this author seems particularly adept at revealing the inner workings of his character's minds and hearts. He had me yelling at a number of the characters and crying with others. I won't give any spoilers about the end, other than to say I hope he'll write a sequel or even a novella on events that come after, even if he has to invent the details.
In conclusion, as an author myself, I know the work that goes into any book. But this is the work of a lifetime, and is my top choice for best read of the year. It is a MUST READ for historians, and indeed anyone who also love a good story.
First off, I have to say it's been many years since I've read an epic saga of this scope, reminding me of James Michner's Hawaii or The Source in it's historical accuracy and complexity. This author is brilliant at weaving historical facts with intelligent conjecture to create a rich, detailed world that made me feel as if I'd been transported to 1200 BCE, and could, like a time traveler, observe the ancient world's hub civilizations in Greece / Laconia / Sparta and Turkey / Troy as well as the surrounding areas of historic influence. From how to make cement to the uses of various plants to the preparation of food to the art of war to ancient phallophoria rituals to the thousands of details he included in his characters' everyday life, it all felt real in every sense.
His battle scenes were superb. I don't know where or how he managed to find all of this information, let alone distill it to create believable ancient war tactics and strategy, but he did.
His history on and interpretation of the Mother / goddess worship was equally impressive. In addition to the accuracy of the research, this had been, bar none, the best book honoring women and matriarchal cultures that I have ever read.
The story of Selene / Helen of Troy drew me in. Unlike some of the modern day "fluff" romances where one only gets to see surface emotions and actions, this author seems particularly adept at revealing the inner workings of his character's minds and hearts. He had me yelling at a number of the characters and crying with others. I won't give any spoilers about the end, other than to say I hope he'll write a sequel or even a novella on events that come after, even if he has to invent the details.
In conclusion, as an author myself, I know the work that goes into any book. But this is the work of a lifetime, and is my top choice for best read of the year. It is a MUST READ for historians, and indeed anyone who also love a good story.
June 3, 2026
Epic and divine
The legend of Helen of Troy is the archetypal patriarchal tale - and not really about Helen at all. She might be the central character, but has little agency - and is either portrayed as the passive object of men’s desires or seduced by a man who she then elopes with - depending on the version.
Ultimately, it’s a story about men - a mythical take on what would be described today as toxic masculinity - men concerned with competition, coercion, control, honour, violence and ego … she gets just blamed for causing a lengthy war between two nations. That story has endured - until now.
In his version of events, Bruce W. Johnson offers a completely fresh take, one that actually centres Helen - or Selene as she is renamed. What his book has in common with earlier accounts, is Helen/Selene’s beauty. And while her appearance is seen here is a matter of importance - mainly in the eyes of others - it is only one of her many attributes.
We follow Selene from childhood and watch her grow into an increasingly confident woman. Johnson builds her character slowly, with subtlety, care and compassion - not shying away from complexity. As he weaves well researched historical context with engaging story telling, we discover various facets of Selene’s personality, her earlier self-doubt and rejection of certain societal norms, her empathy and humanity, her connection to the people around her and the ‘sisterhood’. She was blessed with many inspiring women in her life and we discover much about women’s lives and roles in Greece’s late Bronze Age - including the worship of the Mother Goddess.
As someone who rarely reads historical fiction, I approached the book cautiously but completely surprised myself at how riveting I found it. It’s extremely well written - the story flows beautifully throughout the nearly 500 pages, thoughtful and makes for a very enjoyable and interesting read. I highly recommend it.
The legend of Helen of Troy is the archetypal patriarchal tale - and not really about Helen at all. She might be the central character, but has little agency - and is either portrayed as the passive object of men’s desires or seduced by a man who she then elopes with - depending on the version.
Ultimately, it’s a story about men - a mythical take on what would be described today as toxic masculinity - men concerned with competition, coercion, control, honour, violence and ego … she gets just blamed for causing a lengthy war between two nations. That story has endured - until now.
In his version of events, Bruce W. Johnson offers a completely fresh take, one that actually centres Helen - or Selene as she is renamed. What his book has in common with earlier accounts, is Helen/Selene’s beauty. And while her appearance is seen here is a matter of importance - mainly in the eyes of others - it is only one of her many attributes.
We follow Selene from childhood and watch her grow into an increasingly confident woman. Johnson builds her character slowly, with subtlety, care and compassion - not shying away from complexity. As he weaves well researched historical context with engaging story telling, we discover various facets of Selene’s personality, her earlier self-doubt and rejection of certain societal norms, her empathy and humanity, her connection to the people around her and the ‘sisterhood’. She was blessed with many inspiring women in her life and we discover much about women’s lives and roles in Greece’s late Bronze Age - including the worship of the Mother Goddess.
As someone who rarely reads historical fiction, I approached the book cautiously but completely surprised myself at how riveting I found it. It’s extremely well written - the story flows beautifully throughout the nearly 500 pages, thoughtful and makes for a very enjoyable and interesting read. I highly recommend it.
February 15, 2026
Overwhelming
This had everything I look for a work of fiction.
The main plot is that Helen of Troy must have had a life before she suddenly whizzed off to Troy, after all, she was the Queen of Sparta and she had children, so what was her back story?
The author has obviously done an amazing amount of research to create a vivid picture of Greece around 1270 BC. He portrays Helen as a young woman struggling in a society which could be both brutal and unpredictable. As she grows he follows her through the stages and events which must certainly have taken place, her rise to woman hood, the famous courtship story where kings and princes from all over Greece competed for her hand and then her role as queen and priestess.
All of that makes for a good story, a great story, but there is more. We see some amazing illustrations of the old fertility based matriarchal religion which was gradually giving way the the warrior gods of the northern Greeks, and there are interesting glimmers of the power politics in the period before the Trojan War.
One other thing which stands out is that this has been written with an amazing feel for women's issues. I will not say that it is a feminist perspective - seeing as it was written by a man - but I will say that I, as a woman and a feminist, can really identify with the characters and situations which have been created.
Oh - and the romance takes a while to get going but once it starts its wonderful :-)
This was an incredibly brave attempt to go beyond the established story and portray Helen as she might have been.
This had everything I look for a work of fiction.
The main plot is that Helen of Troy must have had a life before she suddenly whizzed off to Troy, after all, she was the Queen of Sparta and she had children, so what was her back story?
The author has obviously done an amazing amount of research to create a vivid picture of Greece around 1270 BC. He portrays Helen as a young woman struggling in a society which could be both brutal and unpredictable. As she grows he follows her through the stages and events which must certainly have taken place, her rise to woman hood, the famous courtship story where kings and princes from all over Greece competed for her hand and then her role as queen and priestess.
All of that makes for a good story, a great story, but there is more. We see some amazing illustrations of the old fertility based matriarchal religion which was gradually giving way the the warrior gods of the northern Greeks, and there are interesting glimmers of the power politics in the period before the Trojan War.
One other thing which stands out is that this has been written with an amazing feel for women's issues. I will not say that it is a feminist perspective - seeing as it was written by a man - but I will say that I, as a woman and a feminist, can really identify with the characters and situations which have been created.
Oh - and the romance takes a while to get going but once it starts its wonderful :-)
This was an incredibly brave attempt to go beyond the established story and portray Helen as she might have been.
February 16, 2026
Uplifting
Not at all what I was expecting.
This book was a tour de force in character development, seeing the protagonist recover from the difficulties of her early teens [no spoilers] rising to womanhood and romance. I could identify with her so well. It had conflict. It had excitement. It had powerful feminist themes and of course it had romance - with a few bumps along the way.
There have been lots of recent books on the Troy theme and many of them are pretty poor for two reasons; they tend to simply rehash the story we already know and they often contain terrible examples of historical inaccuracy. I am pleased to say that this author manages to avoid both of those problems. By focusing on Helen's earlier life, as a princess and a priestess, as a wife and then as a mother, he has given us a whole new perspective on the story. The quality of the historical research behind the book can almost be sensed as you turn the pages. I felt as if I was right there and wanting to step in.
Prepare to be surprised.
Not at all what I was expecting.
This book was a tour de force in character development, seeing the protagonist recover from the difficulties of her early teens [no spoilers] rising to womanhood and romance. I could identify with her so well. It had conflict. It had excitement. It had powerful feminist themes and of course it had romance - with a few bumps along the way.
There have been lots of recent books on the Troy theme and many of them are pretty poor for two reasons; they tend to simply rehash the story we already know and they often contain terrible examples of historical inaccuracy. I am pleased to say that this author manages to avoid both of those problems. By focusing on Helen's earlier life, as a princess and a priestess, as a wife and then as a mother, he has given us a whole new perspective on the story. The quality of the historical research behind the book can almost be sensed as you turn the pages. I felt as if I was right there and wanting to step in.
Prepare to be surprised.
December 31, 2025
Well that's a surprise.
I read this because of my longstanding interest in the Trojan Wars. I was expecting it to be more of a woman's romance book, and to be sure that was a big part of it, well thought out and tastefully written, but it was a lot more than that.
What do you know about the original story of Troy?
Well, actually, there was no original story ! No, for hundreds of years there were many different stories, constantly being retold and changed for 700 years. They all gave very different explanations of what happened. I am deliberately not going to give any spoilers here, but this narrative seems to be very close to the most likely explanation. Its just more believable.
Apart from that, the romance is lovely. The plot is exciting. The action scenes are fast moving and Helen herself is beautifully portrayed.
I have always been a massive fan of Shogun and I think this is up there - a high quality book which would appeal to both men and women.
I read this because of my longstanding interest in the Trojan Wars. I was expecting it to be more of a woman's romance book, and to be sure that was a big part of it, well thought out and tastefully written, but it was a lot more than that.
What do you know about the original story of Troy?
Well, actually, there was no original story ! No, for hundreds of years there were many different stories, constantly being retold and changed for 700 years. They all gave very different explanations of what happened. I am deliberately not going to give any spoilers here, but this narrative seems to be very close to the most likely explanation. Its just more believable.
Apart from that, the romance is lovely. The plot is exciting. The action scenes are fast moving and Helen herself is beautifully portrayed.
I have always been a massive fan of Shogun and I think this is up there - a high quality book which would appeal to both men and women.
February 9, 2026
Stunning
Forget what you know about Helen of Troy. This book will certainly make you stop and think.
What sort of life would Helen have had as Queen of Laconia, before the main story begins? Was she a priestess as well as a princess? What was life like for her as a woman? Did Helen really run away with her lover? Or was she a victim, a pawn in the power games of men?
I have to say I had grown tired of authors who just recycle the traditional story of Troy, milking their readers without really creating anything new. This approach was refreshing and really reawakened my curiosity for the period. There is also a remarkable level of accurate historical knowledge.
The best part for me though was the romance, which was powerful, tasteful and uplifting. I really was not expecting a book of this quality. I was amazed to see a male author writing historical romance with so much empathy for his female character.
Forget what you know about Helen of Troy. This book will certainly make you stop and think.
What sort of life would Helen have had as Queen of Laconia, before the main story begins? Was she a priestess as well as a princess? What was life like for her as a woman? Did Helen really run away with her lover? Or was she a victim, a pawn in the power games of men?
I have to say I had grown tired of authors who just recycle the traditional story of Troy, milking their readers without really creating anything new. This approach was refreshing and really reawakened my curiosity for the period. There is also a remarkable level of accurate historical knowledge.
The best part for me though was the romance, which was powerful, tasteful and uplifting. I really was not expecting a book of this quality. I was amazed to see a male author writing historical romance with so much empathy for his female character.
April 23, 2026
This is not my typical genre that I enjoy reading. I was hesitant to read this book because I knew it wasn’t something I’d typically pick up, but I challenged myself to read something outside of my norm and let me just say that I’m so glad that I did. I wasn’t expecting to be sucked into the story like I was. It was absolutely fantastic!
December 20, 2025
At last, something different
This is an exceptional book and a nice change from some of the other material which has been published on the Legend of Troy.
In the ancient Greek epics we learn very little about Helen. She ran away to Troy with her lover, this caused a war and ten years later she came back. That isn't a story. Helen is simply used to get the audience interested, and then the action turns to the warfare, with Achilles and Agamemnon at the centre.
This new book is something very different. Helen's life has been reconstructed from the age of twelve - of course its a fictional reconstruction - but extremely realistic in terms of the food, the clothes, the religion and the politics of the period.
We see her growing up as a princess and becoming a queen, with interesting insights into her opinions on marriage, warfare and the role of women. As a man I enjoyed it but I think female readers might enjoy it even more.
I have to spend a moment comparing it to other books in the field. Every other novel which I have seen in this sub-genre tends to simply parrot the Iliad, perpetuating the myths of years gone by. This is the first time that I have read an account which re-examines the legend and brings in fresh historical research. For that alone I see it as setting a new high standard in the field.
This is an exceptional book and a nice change from some of the other material which has been published on the Legend of Troy.
In the ancient Greek epics we learn very little about Helen. She ran away to Troy with her lover, this caused a war and ten years later she came back. That isn't a story. Helen is simply used to get the audience interested, and then the action turns to the warfare, with Achilles and Agamemnon at the centre.
This new book is something very different. Helen's life has been reconstructed from the age of twelve - of course its a fictional reconstruction - but extremely realistic in terms of the food, the clothes, the religion and the politics of the period.
We see her growing up as a princess and becoming a queen, with interesting insights into her opinions on marriage, warfare and the role of women. As a man I enjoyed it but I think female readers might enjoy it even more.
I have to spend a moment comparing it to other books in the field. Every other novel which I have seen in this sub-genre tends to simply parrot the Iliad, perpetuating the myths of years gone by. This is the first time that I have read an account which re-examines the legend and brings in fresh historical research. For that alone I see it as setting a new high standard in the field.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews