A Thousand Ships

Questions About A Thousand Ships

by Natalie Haynes (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (13)

How does this book compare to Pat Barker's THE SILENCE OF THE GIRLS? Is this going to be an ongoing literary trend now--re-telling wars/conflicts through women's perspective(s)? I don't want another "GONE GIRL" kind of thing where one book launches a thousand wannabes, so to speak, and that's all we see for a while. Not to say that this trend/these books are bad, I just get tired of the same thing over and over.
Josh Hedgepeth I disagree with Natalie. I felt Haynes' narrative gave a broader look at the war that still told a complete narrative. The Silence of the Girls is mor…moreI disagree with Natalie. I felt Haynes' narrative gave a broader look at the war that still told a complete narrative. The Silence of the Girls is more zooming in on one area of it which is a narrative unto itself. Haynes' work is a unique approach that may feel somewhat disjointed, but it all comes together to tell a cohesive story if in a non traditional manner.

I don't think its just some trend. Both of these stories are telling a different story than what it's based on. The point is that these are parts of the stories that have never been told. Perhaps it will start a wave, but is that a bad thing? If there are stories untold, I would love to see them written.(less)
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Is this book anything like the Song of Achilles where Miller story tells and informs at the same time or is it a large infodump like some reviews are saying?
Candace I found nothing like an "infodump" in "A Thousand Ships." Very much in the Madeline Miller story, but spread wider to offer more points of view on eve…moreI found nothing like an "infodump" in "A Thousand Ships." Very much in the Madeline Miller story, but spread wider to offer more points of view on events both before and after the fall of Troy. Really excellent reading!(less)
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Is suicide a topic in this book and if so, is it a side story or at the core of this book? No spoilers if you can help it - thanks :)
Ellie There is a suicide in chapter 14 of the book. It isn't graphic, but it could be triggering. It is at the end of the chapter (in the last paragraph) as…moreThere is a suicide in chapter 14 of the book. It isn't graphic, but it could be triggering. It is at the end of the chapter (in the last paragraph) as a brief mention.(less)
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In her chapter, the Amazon Penthesilea keeps going on about her tragic past that gave her a death wish, but it never seems to be covered in the rest of the book. Did I miss something or do I need more of a background to get that part?
Meggyna
This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)
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Would the content of this book be appropriate for a younger teen?
Amy Well, this is an adult book. I don’t know why I’m seeing some people shelve it as YA, but it’s not, it’s an adult book and it’s being marketed that wa…moreWell, this is an adult book. I don’t know why I’m seeing some people shelve it as YA, but it’s not, it’s an adult book and it’s being marketed that way.
Now, personally, I am not for censorship at all—ever. I read books with more explicit adult content at 11 than this. This book is about women, told by women, but it’s also about war and all that entails with women. There is mention of rape, but it’s not detailed at all. So ultimately, it depends on the maturity level of the teen. Do they feel ready to read something that deals with adult themes? Do they have someone they can go to if they have questions? (less)
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