The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker

I studied Barker at university, reading and writing about her brilliant novel Regeneration which focuses on PTSD and shell-shock of the soldiers following World War I, and specifically focuses on the mental health of men who have returned from the front. She draws on real historical figures including Wilfred Owen and Sigfried Sassoon and explores the non-visible after-effects of the war and mental recuperation of the men, which is something which traditionally has been overlooked in favour of physical treatments and just 'being a man'. I then went on to read the entire Regeneration trilogy and absolutely loved it, so if you haven't already I'd highly recommend reading this series of novels.

On to The Silence of the Girls, which is a re-telling of the Trojan war from a primarily female perspective. This book is extremely reminiscent of Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles, particularly owing to its focus on the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, but I highly enjoyed the new perspective of captured Trojan queen Briseis. Barker begins the novel with the attack on Troy and the destruction of Briseis' family and home, and her capture as a prize for Achilles. He is portrayed as a much less sympathetic character than in Miller's novel, rather a barbaric and merciless killer who destroys everything and everyone in his path. Briseis lives as a slave as well as bed companion to Achilles, though Patroclus shows her kindness and understanding, ultimately persuading Achilles to have mercy on her too. 

This novel is brutal and visceral and, much like in Regeneration, Barker spares us none of the gory details. Her characterisation is full of depth and rawness, and her writing is honest and humorous at times. Briseis is a brilliant and courageous protagonist, whilst also being vulnerable and real. Despite absolutely loving this novel and being gripped from the outset, my only real criticism is that perhaps it focused slightly too much on Achilles. I enjoyed the Achilles and Patroclus sections, but as they became more frequent towards the latter half of the novel this shifted the attention slightly away from the female experience. Aside from this, a wonderful novel which I would happily read again and again!