Collection
Description
Married at a tender age to the Spartan king Menelaus, the beautiful Helen bears him a daughter and anticipates a passionless marriage before falling in love with the Trojan prince Paris, with whom she flees to Troy, with devastating consequences.
User reviews
LibraryThing member HRC0826
Not as wonderful as Memoirs of Cleopatra but very good. George does a great job of bringing the Gods and Goddesses into the story. Sometimes I would forget I knew how the story ends and really hoped everything would turn out for the best.
LibraryThing member littlebookworm
I think Margaret George has returned to excellence after (in my opinion) her lacking novel Mary Magdalene. The characters in this novel, particularly Helen, resonated with me, and I felt that the interaction with the gods was well-done. It allowed the novel to remain mythological while still having
Show More
a very human feel. The end was a bit abrupt, though I felt it made a lot of sense. Essentially, this was a very good book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys mythology or historical fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rinnreads
I like to think that I'm a fast reader. Generally the speed at which I read a book - assuming I have the time - reflects how much I'm enjoying it. And although I did enjoy this book, it was SUCH a slow read. I have no idea why, but it just seemed to drag, even though the content was interesting. I
The pacing of the book was slow and the passage of time was very unclear for the majority of it. Timing also seemed rather erratic - the chapters in Sparta before Helen met Paris took forever, whereas the actual events at Troy - that were supposed to last ten years - just rushed by. I was unsure for most of the book how much time had passed. For example, Achilles and his son confused me - I got the impression that when the war began, Achilles was 16 or 17, of a similar age to Paris. He dies in the ninth year of the war, I believe, before the arrival of Philoctetes which ultimately leads to the downfall of Troy, fulfilling one of the final prophecies. This would make him 25 or 26 when he died, yet he has a 15 year old son? I know these events are recorded in many ancient texts and sources, and it is not something of George's invention, but more clarification on the timeframe would make things easier to follow.
Helen was quite a dull narrator too. I liked the way George managed to actually get the battles into the story, even though Helen couldn't actually see them, it meant that there was actually some action rather than just narrative. I didn't really feel anything for her though, and Paris just irritated me - so naive and selfish, although I suppose that is generally how he is always represented. The character with the most depth was actually Menelaus, since we saw several sides of his character.
I have no idea why it took me so long to read. If you're interested in Troy, I would recommend it though.
Also posted on my blog, Rinn Reads.
Show More
love the Iliad and the whole story of the Trojan War, but this book didn't grip me as much as I thought it would.The pacing of the book was slow and the passage of time was very unclear for the majority of it. Timing also seemed rather erratic - the chapters in Sparta before Helen met Paris took forever, whereas the actual events at Troy - that were supposed to last ten years - just rushed by. I was unsure for most of the book how much time had passed. For example, Achilles and his son confused me - I got the impression that when the war began, Achilles was 16 or 17, of a similar age to Paris. He dies in the ninth year of the war, I believe, before the arrival of Philoctetes which ultimately leads to the downfall of Troy, fulfilling one of the final prophecies. This would make him 25 or 26 when he died, yet he has a 15 year old son? I know these events are recorded in many ancient texts and sources, and it is not something of George's invention, but more clarification on the timeframe would make things easier to follow.
Helen was quite a dull narrator too. I liked the way George managed to actually get the battles into the story, even though Helen couldn't actually see them, it meant that there was actually some action rather than just narrative. I didn't really feel anything for her though, and Paris just irritated me - so naive and selfish, although I suppose that is generally how he is always represented. The character with the most depth was actually Menelaus, since we saw several sides of his character.
I have no idea why it took me so long to read. If you're interested in Troy, I would recommend it though.
Also posted on my blog, Rinn Reads.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lucy3107
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. It's well written, but I didn't find it particularly interesting or engaging. I find that the best books evoke feelings, and this one didn't provoke any feelings in particular - positive or negative. It's a well written book that folks who like Greek
Show More
mythology will like, but otherwise unspectacular. As far as Trojan War fiction is concerned, I preferred Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Firebrand. Show Less
LibraryThing member bangerlm
I liked this book. Not as much as some of George's other books (Cleopatra). The characterization of Helen was really good. However, towards the middle to end of the book the pace slowed down. I think if there had been about 100 less pages it might have been better. I was also more sympathetic to
Show More
Menelaus than Paris and seemed to care more about him as a character, which seemed a little strange to me because I couldn't quite understand or identify with Helen's obsession of Paris. Show Less
LibraryThing member amandacb
Helen of Troy is a remarkable historical figure, and Margeret George is a remarkable historical fiction writer. One would think pairing them would result in an astoundingly superb novel, but alas, George falls short with [Helen of Troy]. I think perhaps she gets too bogged down in details with this
Show More
one, because I found myself not caring much about Helen. Show Less
LibraryThing member lookingforpenguins
Remember your college Greek mythology classes? If your memory is a little fuzzy, it will all come flooding back to you when you read Margaret George's Helen of Troy. Ms. George recreates the story from Helen's point of view and beginning with Helen's childhood, she paints a fairly vivid picture of
Peripheral characters make the novel quite enjoyable: Priam, Agamemnon, Cytemnestra, Odysseus and Hector, amongst others, all make a good showing and are quite developed, character-wise, for a novel this length. (I'm sure 638 pages seems like a lot, but for the legend this encompasses, Ms. George had to condense quite a bit here.)
Now for my reaction: I never quite developed any sympathy for Helen and Paris. Their utter selfishness came across as irritating, as opposed to uncontrollable fate. I continually felt the need to give Helen a slap and tell her to "buck up." Paris came across as immature - not a man to fall in love with, but a boy who feels entitled to whatever he wants, at any cost. The supporting cast is delightful, however, and made the story worth a read.
This isn't a so-called "heavy read" by any means. It rather strikes me as something that might be classified as a summer beach novel. Fun, but not serious historical fiction. For those of us who are certifiably obsessed with historical fiction, this novel is a nice break from 16th and 17th Century England and if you can find a good copy at a used book store, it's worth the purchase.
Title: Helen of Troy
Author: Margaret George
ISBN: 978-0-14-303899-3 (pbk.)
Publisher: Penguin Books
Publish Date: 2006
Show More
Helen's family, her home of Sparta, and the circumstances that led to her sad marriage to Menelaus. When Paris enters the picture, as I'm sure you remember, it's pretty much game-over and the beautiful Helen is spirited off to Troy, leading to the infamous Trojan War.Peripheral characters make the novel quite enjoyable: Priam, Agamemnon, Cytemnestra, Odysseus and Hector, amongst others, all make a good showing and are quite developed, character-wise, for a novel this length. (I'm sure 638 pages seems like a lot, but for the legend this encompasses, Ms. George had to condense quite a bit here.)
Now for my reaction: I never quite developed any sympathy for Helen and Paris. Their utter selfishness came across as irritating, as opposed to uncontrollable fate. I continually felt the need to give Helen a slap and tell her to "buck up." Paris came across as immature - not a man to fall in love with, but a boy who feels entitled to whatever he wants, at any cost. The supporting cast is delightful, however, and made the story worth a read.
This isn't a so-called "heavy read" by any means. It rather strikes me as something that might be classified as a summer beach novel. Fun, but not serious historical fiction. For those of us who are certifiably obsessed with historical fiction, this novel is a nice break from 16th and 17th Century England and if you can find a good copy at a used book store, it's worth the purchase.
Title: Helen of Troy
Author: Margaret George
ISBN: 978-0-14-303899-3 (pbk.)
Publisher: Penguin Books
Publish Date: 2006
Show Less
LibraryThing member santhony
I'm a big fan of Margaret George. I thought her books on Cleopatra, Henry VIII and Mary, Queen of Scotland were highly entertaining, compelling and educational works. Helen of Troy, however, is none of those things.
To be honest, three stars is being kind. I felt like the entire book was an effort
Of particular annoyance to me was her decision to play the Greek Gods as not only objects of worship, but actual beings who appeared and played a part in the story. Many times, this just struck me as ridiculous. When telling the stories of Cleopatra, Henry and Mary, she was always believable. She lost that when she took on the mythological aspects of Ancient Greece. Had she played it as more of a historical epic, I think she would have been more successful.
The first 150 pages, having to do with Helen's early life were beyond boring. While the pace picked up with the arrival of Paris, soon thereafter the story fell into an endless repetition of meaningless battles and encounters which never moved the story forward.
There was a good story here, well within George's abilities to present, however she simply failed to match her earlier efforts. The movie (Troy) was far better.
To be honest, three stars is being kind. I felt like the entire book was an effort
Show More
just to get through. Everyone knows the story so it is obviously devoid of suspense, however George was able to take the other stories I mentioned and bring them to life. In my opnion, she failed to do so here. Of particular annoyance to me was her decision to play the Greek Gods as not only objects of worship, but actual beings who appeared and played a part in the story. Many times, this just struck me as ridiculous. When telling the stories of Cleopatra, Henry and Mary, she was always believable. She lost that when she took on the mythological aspects of Ancient Greece. Had she played it as more of a historical epic, I think she would have been more successful.
The first 150 pages, having to do with Helen's early life were beyond boring. While the pace picked up with the arrival of Paris, soon thereafter the story fell into an endless repetition of meaningless battles and encounters which never moved the story forward.
There was a good story here, well within George's abilities to present, however she simply failed to match her earlier efforts. The movie (Troy) was far better.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Pompeia
The story of Helen of Troy. I found the book entertaining, but was left feeling that some other author might have done a much better job.
In my opinion, the problem was that although the plot was very interesting and epic, this was completely due to the rich myths the author drew on. However, I
Helen's "love" (I'd call it obsession) with Paris was odd and slightly repulsive, especially since I couldn't forget that Paris was only 16 years old. Also, the frequently recurring prophecies of doom were boring from the beginning.
And finally, all extra plot twists (by extra, I mean not straight from Ilias) were very clumsily executed. For example, the author felt the need to have a completely irrelevant story arch of Helen getting sick, Helen realising she's being poisoned and Helen finding the poisoner. And with such heavy hinting that even the dummest reader ever figured from the start what was going on and how it would play out. Waiting for the main story to continue was very boring at times as a consequence of these deviations.
So, a good read if you like myths, but leaves much room for improvement. At least the author didn't ruin the story by introducing happy ends for nearly everybody the way they did in the movie...
In my opinion, the problem was that although the plot was very interesting and epic, this was completely due to the rich myths the author drew on. However, I
Show More
found it completely impossible to understand or even like Helen, whose actions at times were completely irrational. Helen's "love" (I'd call it obsession) with Paris was odd and slightly repulsive, especially since I couldn't forget that Paris was only 16 years old. Also, the frequently recurring prophecies of doom were boring from the beginning.
And finally, all extra plot twists (by extra, I mean not straight from Ilias) were very clumsily executed. For example, the author felt the need to have a completely irrelevant story arch of Helen getting sick, Helen realising she's being poisoned and Helen finding the poisoner. And with such heavy hinting that even the dummest reader ever figured from the start what was going on and how it would play out. Waiting for the main story to continue was very boring at times as a consequence of these deviations.
So, a good read if you like myths, but leaves much room for improvement. At least the author didn't ruin the story by introducing happy ends for nearly everybody the way they did in the movie...
Show Less
LibraryThing member susanbevans
My review for Margaret George's Helen of Troy is a hard one to write. Whether you are like me - knowing little of Helen beyond her "abduction" by Paris - or you know all the details of her story - I don't want to give you a long synopsis. If you are a newcomer to the tale, I won't spoil it for you,
Described by Christopher Marlowe as the "face that launched a thousand ships," Helen of Troy is a captivating historical figure with a story that fascinates and intrigues us even today. In Margaret George's spellbinding Helen of Troy, the story of Helen is told through her eyes and experiences. George's incredible writing pulls the reader into the story, offering a first-hand account of Helen's day-to-day life.
Helen of Troy is simply stunning! I was mesmerized from the first sentence to the surprise (to me anyway) ending. Helen is portrayed with all her metaphorical warts, as a flawed and tortured woman, and Paris as a somewhat naïve young man yearning to prove himself. The larger-than-life "supporting" characters - Menelaus, Agamemnon, Odysseus, Achilles, and even the goddess Aphrodite - leapt off the pages, creating a multi-layered story that was credible and gripping.
Margaret George's glorious descriptions of the setting were simply beautiful and superbly written. Her words bring ancient Greece to vivid life, making Helen of Troy a highly readable recreation of the mythic story. This is the best book I've read all year, and I will definitely be looking to read more historical fiction from Margaret George in the future.
Show More
and if you are a Helen aficionado, I won't bore you with the details.Described by Christopher Marlowe as the "face that launched a thousand ships," Helen of Troy is a captivating historical figure with a story that fascinates and intrigues us even today. In Margaret George's spellbinding Helen of Troy, the story of Helen is told through her eyes and experiences. George's incredible writing pulls the reader into the story, offering a first-hand account of Helen's day-to-day life.
Helen of Troy is simply stunning! I was mesmerized from the first sentence to the surprise (to me anyway) ending. Helen is portrayed with all her metaphorical warts, as a flawed and tortured woman, and Paris as a somewhat naïve young man yearning to prove himself. The larger-than-life "supporting" characters - Menelaus, Agamemnon, Odysseus, Achilles, and even the goddess Aphrodite - leapt off the pages, creating a multi-layered story that was credible and gripping.
Margaret George's glorious descriptions of the setting were simply beautiful and superbly written. Her words bring ancient Greece to vivid life, making Helen of Troy a highly readable recreation of the mythic story. This is the best book I've read all year, and I will definitely be looking to read more historical fiction from Margaret George in the future.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Alera
Margaret George has done a wonderful job of blending this mythical story to fit our more modern sensibilities while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the myth and making the characters feel completely real. It's something I admire even if this is likely my least favorite of her works.
Show More
Helen of Troy and the tale of the Trojan war is a story that I have been fascinated with since childhood. And I think George's 'Helen of Troy' is a great jumping off point for someone unfamiliar with the tale to get a chance to investigate the origins. However, for someone with a full working knowledge of the story it's a bit of a let down. A lovely read though, overall. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookJinx
Yesterday, before I read the last page of the book and the afterwords by the author, I was ready to rant and rave about how selfish and vapid Helen was and how ridiculous everyone seemed with their claims of seeing the future and being visited by gods every other day....then I learned that it's a
But seriously, I couldn't feel any sympathy for Helen and Paris. They should have known better. Paris was 16 so he was probably letting his hormones do the talking but Helen was a grown woman.
She knew her brother-in-law was looking for a fight with Troy and so she runs away in the middle of the night with the Prince of Troy and was shocked that they would gather a vast army and invade? Please!
She left her daughter behind and she left her parents to deal with the humiliation and we're supposed to swoon over the great love affair? Whatever, Helen!
So, all ranting aside, this was a lovely read. Margaret George does an amazing job of transporting us back to a time that may or may not have existed. It seemed real to me.
She gave each character such distinct personalities that they all came alive.
However, the character of Helen and the authors interpretation of Cleopatra were very similar. I guess being queens of ancient lands, you'd imagine they'd have similar personalities or Margaret George has a formula for her ancient queens.
I've got her story of Mary of Magdelene on my TBR list. Surely, Mary's character will be different.
Bottom line: great read, enchanting writing.
Show More
good possibility that she never existed and is simply a myth. How can I get self-righteous with a myth?But seriously, I couldn't feel any sympathy for Helen and Paris. They should have known better. Paris was 16 so he was probably letting his hormones do the talking but Helen was a grown woman.
She knew her brother-in-law was looking for a fight with Troy and so she runs away in the middle of the night with the Prince of Troy and was shocked that they would gather a vast army and invade? Please!
She left her daughter behind and she left her parents to deal with the humiliation and we're supposed to swoon over the great love affair? Whatever, Helen!
So, all ranting aside, this was a lovely read. Margaret George does an amazing job of transporting us back to a time that may or may not have existed. It seemed real to me.
She gave each character such distinct personalities that they all came alive.
However, the character of Helen and the authors interpretation of Cleopatra were very similar. I guess being queens of ancient lands, you'd imagine they'd have similar personalities or Margaret George has a formula for her ancient queens.
I've got her story of Mary of Magdelene on my TBR list. Surely, Mary's character will be different.
Bottom line: great read, enchanting writing.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BALE
It is very difficult for me to leave a novel unfinished. However, I found it impossible to complete Margaret George's book, Helen of Troy. The, otherwise, wonderful mythological story surrounding Helen of Troy is dragged out to an extreme. I only had a fifth of the novel left to read, yet there was
Show More
no way I could continue. This book could have been edited down to one-half its length. Show Less
LibraryThing member nkmunn
Not as much of a page turner as Mary called Magdalene
LibraryThing member satyridae
I couldn't bring myself to pick this back up. I'm maybe 300 pages in, and not feeling the love. I'm giving up.
LibraryThing member anissaannalise
Another by Margaret George that I really enjoyed. Donating as clearing bookshelves for move.
LibraryThing member csweder
I honestly can decide if this should be a 1 or 2 star book. Anything beyond that would be far too much, of course.
I read this book because it was a gift, and because I felt compelled to. It is very hard for me to put down a book--even if it's bad.
There were good moments in this book, and it is
There is no reason this book needed to be this long. It wasn't hard to read, just incredibly slow, and very boring at times.
I read this book because it was a gift, and because I felt compelled to. It is very hard for me to put down a book--even if it's bad.
There were good moments in this book, and it is
Show More
obvious to me that George researched several Greek myths. It was bought for me because I like Greek mythology...that being said, this was not a book that grabbed my attention. Perhaps it is a book for those who don't know/love the stories of the ancient Greece...whatever it is, this book was simply not for me. There is no reason this book needed to be this long. It wasn't hard to read, just incredibly slow, and very boring at times.
Show Less
LibraryThing member csweder
I honestly can decide if this should be a 1 or 2 star book. Anything beyond that would be far too much, of course.
I read this book because it was a gift, and because I felt compelled to. It is very hard for me to put down a book--even if it's bad.
There were good moments in this book, and it is
There is no reason this book needed to be this long. It wasn't hard to read, just incredibly slow, and very boring at times.
I read this book because it was a gift, and because I felt compelled to. It is very hard for me to put down a book--even if it's bad.
There were good moments in this book, and it is
Show More
obvious to me that George researched several Greek myths. It was bought for me because I like Greek mythology...that being said, this was not a book that grabbed my attention. Perhaps it is a book for those who don't know/love the stories of the ancient Greece...whatever it is, this book was simply not for me. There is no reason this book needed to be this long. It wasn't hard to read, just incredibly slow, and very boring at times.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lissabeth21
Margaret George is as wonderful as ever. Fully realized and getting right into the heart and spirit of her subject. It only took me four years to finish this one because of my own circumstances and feelings. Pregnant and then cradling my new son, I could not abide to read another sentence about
Show More
this woman who could leave her child behind. I have been in love, but I am a mother above all else and I just couldn't do it. But I'm finished and glad for the outcome. Show Less
LibraryThing member VhartPowers
The story was interesting, but there were some contradictions that bothered me: she wasn't angry at Menalaeus, and then she was, there wasn't enough food and then there were great feasts for the funerals and Odysseuus hid and disguised as a bum to find out who his enemies were when he went home and
I was glad I read it, but I was just as glad to be finished with it.
Show More
then later his son visits Sparta and says his father hadn't come home. (maybe I didn't read these parts right???I was glad I read it, but I was just as glad to be finished with it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member curious_squid
Not nearly as good as Margaret George's previous novels. Probably because of the inclusion of the Greek gods in the novel which tipped the book towards more fantasy than realism. The author's afterward addressed this a bit. A fine read while traveling in Greece.
LibraryThing member The_Literary_Jedi
This was the first book by Margaret George that I read and it was very enjoyable. The story of Helen is a well-known one but the myth surrounding her still remains - was she real or is this really only a story of "a face that launched a thousand ships" after all? Let's not even bring up the movie
The story follows Helen, in her own perspective, from childhood through her marriage and to her meeting with Paris of Troy, their relationship, her leaving her husband, and the subsequent battle after her discovery. There is so much to the legend but overall George uses fantastical inclusions from Greek mythology to make the story more fiction than biography. I was under the impression this was a fictional retelling and when I discovered some were cataloging it as biography it surprised me. There isn't much left out and the imaginative additions are good.
The character of Helen at times is unlikeable. Her naivete and her selfishness in some parts really grate on the nerves. However, remembering that she was married as a child, bore a child herself before age 20 in the story, and then was in a loveless marriage to King Menelaus makes the reader believe her when she discovers passion in Paris' arms. Other characters who play a part in Helen's story are sometimes equally unlikeable. They treat Helen as a prize to win, a trophy to display, or a DID to protect. At points, you may want to scream for Helen to pick up a sword and swing it.
The writing is superb. It was one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much. George writes clearly and I think brings the voice of Helen to the forefront of the story rather than making her simply a character amongst many who we read through; she's the doer rather than the lens (if that makes sense?).
I'd recommend it to readers who are used to a mixture of historical fantasy/fiction and who may have a knowledge of Greek myths and Homeric epic. While not necessary to read the book, it will be helpful.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Show More
'Troy' in this discussion either.The story follows Helen, in her own perspective, from childhood through her marriage and to her meeting with Paris of Troy, their relationship, her leaving her husband, and the subsequent battle after her discovery. There is so much to the legend but overall George uses fantastical inclusions from Greek mythology to make the story more fiction than biography. I was under the impression this was a fictional retelling and when I discovered some were cataloging it as biography it surprised me. There isn't much left out and the imaginative additions are good.
The character of Helen at times is unlikeable. Her naivete and her selfishness in some parts really grate on the nerves. However, remembering that she was married as a child, bore a child herself before age 20 in the story, and then was in a loveless marriage to King Menelaus makes the reader believe her when she discovers passion in Paris' arms. Other characters who play a part in Helen's story are sometimes equally unlikeable. They treat Helen as a prize to win, a trophy to display, or a DID to protect. At points, you may want to scream for Helen to pick up a sword and swing it.
The writing is superb. It was one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much. George writes clearly and I think brings the voice of Helen to the forefront of the story rather than making her simply a character amongst many who we read through; she's the doer rather than the lens (if that makes sense?).
I'd recommend it to readers who are used to a mixture of historical fantasy/fiction and who may have a knowledge of Greek myths and Homeric epic. While not necessary to read the book, it will be helpful.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Show Less
Subjects
Series
Publication
Viking Adult (2006), 611 pages
Original publication date
2006-07-26
Pages
624
ISBN
0670037788 / 9780670037780
Language
Original language
English