The Silence of the Girls

by Pat Barker
The Silence of the Girls cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 652
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780241983218
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2018-08-30
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

The Silence of the Girls offers a fresh perspective on the Trojan War, focusing on the often-overlooked female characters. Briseis, a queen who becomes a slave after the fall of her city, narrates her harrowing experiences and struggles for survival in a world dominated by men. This novel challenges traditional narratives and gives voice to those who have been silenced by history. Pat Barker's masterful storytelling brings depth and humanity to ancient figures, making this a compelling and thought-provoking read. The novel is part of Barker's ongoing exploration of myth and history, following her acclaimed The Women of Troy.

Reviews
Aminas Bookshelf · Aamina · 2022-07-05
mixed 3.00

They find the book to be a compelling retelling of the Iliad, focusing on the often overlooked perspective of Briseis.

Aamina finds the novel to be a compelling retelling of the Iliad, particularly for its focus on Briseis and the often overlooked perspectives of women in historical narratives. They appreciate the historical detail and the vivid portrayal of the Greek camp. However, they note that the plot can be thin at times, which slightly detracts from the overall impact.

Quick quotes

    The Silence of the Girls is a retelling of the Iliad that focuses on Briseis – the slave girl that everyone else seems to have forgotten.

    The novel is a powerful and thought-provoking retelling of the Iliad.

    The historical detail and vivid prose bring the story to life.

Julia's Books · Julia · 2020-02-13
thoughtful 4.00

They praise the novel for its critical acclaim and its exploration of themes of power and voice. The reviewer finds the narrative engaging and thought-provoking.

Julia appreciates the critical acclaim and the novel's exploration of power and voice, particularly in the context of historical narratives. They find the story engaging and thought-provoking, highlighting the importance of giving voice to those who have been traditionally silenced. Julia also notes the novel's impact and its relevance in contemporary discussions about gender and power.

Quick quotes

    The Silence of the Girls has been critically-acclaimed and was shortlisted for last year's Women's Prize for Fiction.

    The novel is a powerful exploration of themes of power and voice.

    It's a significant contribution to feminist literature.

The Guardian · 2018-08-22
insightful 4.50

They highlight the novel's clear feminist message and the struggle to extricate women from male-dominated narratives. The book is praised for its powerful storytelling and historical depth.

The review emphasizes the novel's strong feminist perspective, focusing on how it challenges traditional narratives dominated by men. They particularly appreciate how the story brings to life the often overlooked experiences of women in historical contexts. The reviewer finds the historical detail and vivid prose to be particularly compelling, making it a significant contribution to feminist literature.

Quick quotes

    Barker's novel has a very clear feminist message about the struggle for women to extricate themselves from male-dominated narratives.

    The Silence of the Girls is a powerful and thought-provoking retelling of the Iliad.

    Pat Barker brings the teeming world of the Greek camp to vivid life.

Appears in Lists