Episode 02: Silence of the Girls

Writing Style: ★★★★★

Plot: ★★★☆☆

Characters: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★★

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker presents Briseis’ perspective on the male-dominated Illiad. Given Briseis’ homeland and gender, the retelling also amplifies Trojan and women’s voices, two historically ignored perspectives.

Briseis is the princess until her home, Lyrnessus, is bested by Achilles and his Greek army. Following her city’s defeat, Briseis becomes Achilles' “prize” concubine, reducing her to the same importance as an object plundered from a conquered village.

Briseis’ attitude while living in the Greek encampment outside Troy evolves from fierce hatred to understanding throughout her encounters with fellow slave women and famous Greek warriors. She provides surprisingly logical and compassionate commentary on all she meets, even empathizing with the man who killed each of her male relatives. Briseis’ story augments the classic Illiad and gives life to thousands of voices silenced during the Trojan War

Barker uses Briseis’ diplomatic perspective to provide insightful commentary on the harsh Greek encampment outside Troy from the historically underrepresented perspective of a Trojan, slave, and woman. The Silence of the Girls gracefully recognizes the brutality of war and the gender discrepancies of those it impacts. In doing so, the book forefronts the different strengths exhibited throughout the war through the stifled voice of Briseis. She is silenced no more.