A Thousand Ships

A Novel

By: Natalie Haynes

Narrated by: Natalie Haynes

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

An NPR Best Book of the Year

“Gorgeous.... With her trademark passion, wit, and fierce feminism, Natalie Haynes gives much-needed voice to the silenced women of the Trojan War.”—Madeline Miller, author of Circe

Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, a gorgeous retelling of the Trojan War from the perspectives of the many women involved in its causes and consequences—for fans of Madeline Miller.

This is the women’s war, just as much as it is the men’s. They have waited long enough for their turn . . .

This was never the story of one woman, or two. It was the story of them all . . .

In the middle of the night, a woman wakes to find her beloved city engulfed in flames. Ten seemingly endless years of conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans are over. Troy has fallen.

From the Trojan women whose fates now lie in the hands of the Greeks, to the Amazon princess who fought Achilles on their behalf, to Penelope awaiting the return of Odysseus, to the three goddesses whose feud started it all, these are the stories of the women whose lives, loves, and rivalries were forever altered by this long and tragic war.

A woman’s epic, powerfully imbued with new life, A Thousand Ships puts the women, girls and goddesses at the center of the Western world’s great tale ever told.

©2019 Natalie Haynes (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Read it twice before stopping!

Once in awhile you find a book that you want to keep reading even when you run out of pages. This is such a book . It is scholarly, intelligent, creative, and imaginative, and fits in perfectly with what we already know about the unfortunate women of the Trojan War. As soon as I finished it, I started back at the beginning again. I am already looking forward to the next time I read it.

Should be required reading

This should be required reading after suffering through the Illiad and the Odyssey - it makes all of it make more sense. Instead of death-death-mayhem-murder-grudges-stupid decisions-more death-monsters...we get a STORY. An actual story, with motivations and emotions. I swear, even the Greek Gods' "family tree" made sense to me after this.

I stumbled on Madeline Miller's "Circe" a couple of years ago and loved it. I read "Song of Achilles" after that despite HATING the Trojan War. This book is similar in how it fleshes out the bones of the original story, but it focuses on ALL the women.

My favorite part is Penelope. She tells the story of Odysseus via letters TO Odysseus describing the bard's stories about him. She is so gloriously snarky. You can tell Haynes is a "recovering comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome." On audible, the author narrates, and it's fantastic.

"Because really, how many cannibalistic giants can one Greek plausibly meet as he sails the open seas? Even I, expert in your ability to create trouble, think one set is probably sufficient for your story."

"You met a monster. You met a witch. Cannibals broke your ships. A whirlpool ate your friends. Telemachus himself would never have come up with such excuses and he was a boy."

A must-read if you enjoyed Circe.

Really enjoyed this!

I really enjoyed this, the different story lines kept me very interested, it was a fun and academic read. I like the fidelity to the classics, and the creative retelling. However, as a native Greek speaker I am disappointed at the author’s mispronunciations of the name of places and people in her own book. She mispronounces Calliope, Aeaea, Aegina, and other names. I’m not sure if these are the pronunciations they teach in the UK, but it did create an annoyance throughout the audiobook. However, don’t let this deter you, the book is still very enjoyable and well worth the read.

I've listened to this three times now.

It doesn't lose any of its power or its deep catharsis with the repetition. I'll absolutely listen again.

The best narrator/author

Rarely, when I am reading a few books at a time, does a single book stay with me throughout the day. I found myself daydreaming of all things Troy and Ithaca as I read other stories…not at all related to Greek mythology. This book is so beautiful and unique and heartbreaking. A must read. And the narration was the best! I will listen again. And some chapters I already have. It’s just so good.

Breathtaking

This has been the best book over listened to throughout the entire pandemic- and I've listened to quite a few. The author skillfully tells the stories of the lives of the women during the time of the Trojan War and after, giving them substance, character, emotions.

Her historical research is evident throughout. Unlike most novels, the characters are not weaved together with connections between each other. Their lives don't really intersect in that they don't meet. Their is connection is with their circumstances- as Greek or Trojan, all are affected by the war.

This is one of those novels that will stay with you. The author is exceptional as the reader; sing, Calliope indeed. The Muse has sung.

More Penelope please

I am a sucker for alternate point of view stories. This does not disappoint. Penelope rocks.

An interesting point of view

Well written and narrated story about Greek history and mythology - seen through the eyes of the participating women.

It works

Interesting points of view that have been touched upon in other works. Now they're all brought together to make the main dish. And it works... The narration is very enjoyable.

Might help to remember original Greek myths

I enjoyed the stories of the women of ancient Greece and Troy. The author jumped around a lot between characters, which wasn't the easiest thing to keep track of in audio format. It has been a little while since I read any of the original stories, so it might have helped to refresh my memory prior to listening this version.
The book is read by the author herself, and she has a lovely reading voice.