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estherdb's review against another edition
1.0
This book summarised in two words: Irritation, frustration. What seemed like a promising idea ("The entire saga of Paris and Helen and the Trojan War from Helen's perspective? Bring it on!"), QUICKLY turned out to not make a good book (not in this case, at least). I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I should've known better the second I read the attention-seeking title.
I liked it up until around page 70. That's the point where the plot started irritating me as well as the style. The latter being comprised of too many similes and a lot of sentences that just didn't flow. At least they didn't in my Dutch translation.
Also, retelling an iconic story always is a risky thing to do, but it shouldn't be impossible to rewrite a classic tale. However, if done badly, it quickly becomes irritating AF. This version's plot didn't make a lot of sense. It's basically Helen picking her way through a lot of guys, changing her mind on said guys, causing a war and Troy being destroyed.
Which brings me to another disappointing element: the utter lack of mythical/"magical" elements. No Aphrodite offering the most beautiful woman as a reward, no magical Acheron bath for Achilles... A FINAL INSULT TO INJURY: no true Trojan horse in this rendition.
The characters didn't vibe with me. Helen was a superficial, empty vessel. Not that any other character was interesting enough, to be honest.
A final cherry on top, there were inconsistencies.
Glad it was over, to be honest.
I liked it up until around page 70. That's the point where the plot started irritating me as well as the style. The latter being comprised of too many similes and a lot of sentences that just didn't flow. At least they didn't in my Dutch translation.
Also, retelling an iconic story always is a risky thing to do, but it shouldn't be impossible to rewrite a classic tale. However, if done badly, it quickly becomes irritating AF. This version's plot didn't make a lot of sense. It's basically Helen picking her way through a lot of guys, changing her mind on said guys, causing a war and Troy being destroyed.
Spoiler
Can we talk about how effortlessly Helen could find Achilles, who was randomly and conveniently bathing in a river - alone - outside the walls of Troy at the end of the story? SIGH.Which brings me to another disappointing element: the utter lack of mythical/"magical" elements. No Aphrodite offering the most beautiful woman as a reward, no magical Acheron bath for Achilles... A FINAL INSULT TO INJURY: no true Trojan horse in this rendition.
The characters didn't vibe with me. Helen was a superficial, empty vessel. Not that any other character was interesting enough, to be honest.
A final cherry on top, there were inconsistencies.
Spoiler
One example,"Hector died alone.", only to find out that Helen was with him at the exact moment that he died... Cue the frustration. Maybe it was me, maybe I wasn't paying enough attention - because at that point, I couldn't be bothered anymore -, maybe I'm not "smart" enough to get it, OR it could be bad writing.Glad it was over, to be honest.
itserikavw's review
2.0
• Gelezen in het Nederlands.
• Fysiek boek.
• 2.0/5
Niet uitgelezen. Kwam er maar niet in.
• Fysiek boek.
• 2.0/5
Niet uitgelezen. Kwam er maar niet in.
myrthevl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
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