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A Thousand Ships

By: Natalie Haynes
Narrated by: Natalie Haynes
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Publisher's Summary

Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020

 One of the Guardian's and TLS's 'Best Books of 2019'   

In A Thousand Ships, broadcaster and classicist Natalie Haynes retells the story of the Trojan War from an all-female perspective, for fans of Madeline Miller and Pat Barker.

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 embroiled in the legendary war. 

Powerfully told from an all-female perspective, in A Thousand Ships Natalie Haynes puts the women, girls and goddesses at the centre of the story.

©2019 Natalie Haynes (P)2019 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic Reviews

"A gripping feminist masterpiece." (Deborah Frances-White)

What listeners say about A Thousand Ships

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Beautifully written

Could not stop listening to this book. It is beautifully written and surprisingly witty in some parts. Natalie's narration of the book is so easy to listen to.

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A most brilliant retelling

From the first chapter, I was shaken by the tenacity of the author’s desire to tell the story of the women whom history has silenced. Every character has depth and beauty and a strength unique to her and her alone. Which is no small feat seeing as almost every chapter is from the perspective of a different woman. Yet you cannot help but notice how they are all bound by the same sort of resilience. I found this book so beautiful and empowering despite the fact that most of the women don’t have a happy ending. I still found comfort in them. In them I saw my grandmother, my mother, my aunties, my sister. I found myself wanting to reach out and comfort them. To hold Andromache, to console Hecuba, to fight alongside Penthesilea. I think I’ve made it quite clear that the characters are brilliantly written. But the prose, oh the prose. If you could see how many times I went back to listen to a certain description again and again. I want to thank you Ms Natalie Haynes, for giving these women a voice, for telling their story, for not relegating them to “collateral damage” in a man’s war. I will treasure this story for years. Thank you

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To be read by ALL WOMEN!

Natalie Haynes has brought me with her and revealed so much about the classic texts, women in literature , and women in war. I am about to reread this inspiring epic, having just this minute finished it...as I am already longing for these inspiring women, and wish to cement much of my learning into my memory. From a woman of Ithacan and Spartan descent, I thank you Natalie

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an excellent story

Glad I bought this as an audio book otherwise I would have read the weekend away. Could not stop listening to it beautifully read with stories I very much wanted to hear.

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Wonderful

Loved every minute, particularly the chapter where the 3 goddesses vie for the golden apple. He wouldn’t get my owl either

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Loved it!

Fell in love with Natalie’s story, wit and voice! A superb story around the women of Troy woven into an original tale. Loved it and can’t wait to read more of Natalie’s work. Am now a fan.

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Brutally and beautifully written.

Stunning story about the women and goddesses surrounding the Trojan war. Reimagined Greek myths from the female perspective is always going to pique my interest and this did not disappoint. Having the author narrate the book was also a wonderful addition.

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Informative

I thoroughly enjoyed this offering from Natalie Haynes
Kept me captivated for 2 days. Couldn’t stop listening

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Simply perfect!

This brilliant story brings to life so many tales of the lessor told tales of Troy. Witty, funny, clever, and beautifully told characters with vibrant personalities. Natalie, if you happen to read this review, thank you for giving Penelope the agency we have always been told she had. I couldn’t recommend this book enough. If you love Greek Myth but want more substance, more feeling and for someone else to question “Odysseus! Seriously! What are you doing?” Then you are in the right place.

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