Daughter of a god. Wife of a king. Prize of antiquity’s bloodiest war
Helen of Troy: A Novel
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Review
From the very first, Helen holds our hearts through romance, betrayal, war... A soaring achievement. -- Susan Vreeland
Praise for Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles:
‘An historical novel of exceptional quality... a wholly engrossing book.’ -- Barbara Taylor Bradford
Praise for The Autobiography of Henry VIII:
'Ms George contributes intriguing material to the popular mythology…’ -- New York Times Book Review
This truly dazzling novelist breathes new life into the lives of Helen and Paris... What a triumph of storytelling! -- Barbara Taylor Bradford
Praise for Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles:
‘An historical novel of exceptional quality... a wholly engrossing book.’ -- Barbara Taylor Bradford
Praise for The Autobiography of Henry VIII:
'Ms George contributes intriguing material to the popular mythology…’ -- New York Times Book Review
This truly dazzling novelist breathes new life into the lives of Helen and Paris... What a triumph of storytelling! -- Barbara Taylor Bradford
Book Description
Bestselling novelist, Margaret George, here imagines the story of Helen of Sparta and Troy, one of the most amazing female mythical characters, ancient or modern. A war, which lasted for 10 years, was fought over her and nearly all the stories of the heroic age were bound into her story – a measure of her capacity to galvanise men into action. Using her unique gift for research and recreation, Margaret George brings to life a Helen who was a tantalizing enigma from the very first, flesh and blood certainly, but also immortal, as the daughter of Zeus. Her beauty is so overwhelming and dangerous that, as a child, she is protected from seeing her reflection. Kings and princes compete for her hand in marriage, and she marries Menelaus of Sparta, but before marrying him all her other suitors swear to help bring Helen back should she ever be abducted again. When she falls for Paris of Troy it is assumed that he has taken her by force, when her actions are far more complex. The suitors are obliged to honour their oath and so the Trojan War begins – the most pivotal event in the history of ancient Greece . . . and the tragedy of these individuals. ‘An epic novel... Margaret George recreates... passions... with extraordinary intensity. If only history lessons had been like this’ Cosmopolitan
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By J. Chippindale
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
The author Margaret George has a stable of first class historical novels behind her, among them The Autobiography of Henry VIII, Mary, Queen of Scotland and the Isles, The Memoirs of Cleopatra and Mary, Called Magdalene. She lives primarily in America, where she was born, but travels all over the world researching her novels.
Helen of Troy is one of the most famous mythological characters of all time. What sort of woman could cause a war that lasted for 10 years? She was a woman of untold beauty, who as a child was not even allowed to look at her own reflection, her beauty was so overwhelming. She was protected from her own unique beauty until she was of a marriageable age. Said to be the daughter of the god Zeus, she had many suitors but accepted the hand of the Spartan king Menelaus and settled down to a life of domesticity and apparent contentment bearing Menelaus a daughter.
It is at the age of 24 when she catches sight of the Trojan Prince, Paris that she realises that there is no passion in her marriage. Soon the two are lovers and eventually elope to Troy in the dead of night. An elopement that started a conflict that was to last 10 years and take the lives of some of the greatest heroes of the time. No one in Sparta could believe that Helen had gone with Paris of her own free will and plans were made to sail and lay siege to Troy until Helen was released
Margaret George brings to life the heroic and not so heroic deeds of the Trojan war. All the characters are there Odysseus, Hector, Achilles, Priam, Clytemnestra, Agamemnon and of course Helen and Paris. The author brings to life the sights, sounds and conflicts of the war and the pain and suffering of the men who fought in it.
Helen of Troy is one of the most famous mythological characters of all time. What sort of woman could cause a war that lasted for 10 years? She was a woman of untold beauty, who as a child was not even allowed to look at her own reflection, her beauty was so overwhelming. She was protected from her own unique beauty until she was of a marriageable age. Said to be the daughter of the god Zeus, she had many suitors but accepted the hand of the Spartan king Menelaus and settled down to a life of domesticity and apparent contentment bearing Menelaus a daughter.
It is at the age of 24 when she catches sight of the Trojan Prince, Paris that she realises that there is no passion in her marriage. Soon the two are lovers and eventually elope to Troy in the dead of night. An elopement that started a conflict that was to last 10 years and take the lives of some of the greatest heroes of the time. No one in Sparta could believe that Helen had gone with Paris of her own free will and plans were made to sail and lay siege to Troy until Helen was released
Margaret George brings to life the heroic and not so heroic deeds of the Trojan war. All the characters are there Odysseus, Hector, Achilles, Priam, Clytemnestra, Agamemnon and of course Helen and Paris. The author brings to life the sights, sounds and conflicts of the war and the pain and suffering of the men who fought in it.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you don't like the non-fiction books on the archaeology of Troy and prefer a story to help you read between the lines, this is the 1 to go for. The book covers the whole of Helen's life from the day she is born right up until she passes away. It is beautifully told from the point of view of Helen. The books covers the whole of the Trojan war unlike the Illiad. It touched my heart and is the best to go for if you are just starting this genre. 3 cheers for Margaret George!!
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By S. L. Smith
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this book,I couldn't stop reading it and found myself turning off the tv to read instead - very unusual nowadays! It was interesting to read the legend of Helen from her point of view, I found I liked her despite her obvious failings and had sympathy for her plight. Not sure some of the other characters are as well padded out but enough for me to enjoy the book. I'm going to pick up another of her books right now!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Epic like the myth
Helen of Troy is always a fascination with Greek Legends and I was very taken in with this take on her story. Read more
Published 3 months ago by GHull
3.0 out of 5 stars
A rather disappointing tale of the Trojan War
I like to think that I'm a fast reader. Generally the speed at which I read a book - assuming I have the time - reflects how much I'm enjoying it. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Izzy P.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Richly woven epic tale of Helen of Troy
In Helen of Troy, George loses none of her deft story-telling touch. Reading this book, one can feel almost as something palpable that this story is truly woven - a rich tale of... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Isis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Troy as you've never seen it!
The story centre's around Helen, a women of extraordinary beauty and how she faces the trials of love and war. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Harrietlovesbooks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helen of troy - best book in the world!!!
I have many books on my shelf, and I have had favourites, but when you get older, your tastes change. Helen of Troy, replaced all favourites. Read more
Published 17 months ago by book worm
2.0 out of 5 stars
Slow!
This book does at least stick to the original story a bit more than the recent Troy film, but I must say it is so slow and laborious. Read more
Published 18 months ago by penny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book
This book provided the reader with a history of the most famous face in the world, that of Helen of Troy/Sparta. Read more
Published on 20 May 2011 by Calum
4.0 out of 5 stars
enjoyed reading it
read this book many years ago. it is really good and gripping. there are some parts i had to skip because i didn't like the war part. i would recommend it
Published on 7 Mar 2011 by Ms. S. V. Moyo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Special
I have to say I am an avid reader of all different books, but this is the one that has stayed with me for years after I read it. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2011 by Tam
4.0 out of 5 stars
A woman's account of her 'legend' that is Helen of troy
Why anyone would choose to watch the film 'Troy' instead of reading this novel is beyond my understanding. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2010 by Rachel Kent
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