69 pages • 2 hours read
Natalie HaynesA Thousand Ships
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes is a 2019 novel that reimagines the mythologies of the Trojan War from the points of view of 25 mortal and immortal women. The narrative is framed by Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, who educates a male bard on the true nature of war through interconnected vignettes that draw from ancient Greek and Roman texts, exploring the experiences of women affected by the conflict's devastation. Sensitive topics such as sexual violence and war atrocities are depicted.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Natalie Haynes' A Thousand Ships offers a fresh, feminist take on the Trojan War through diverse female perspectives. Reviewers praise its lyrical prose and engaging narrative, yet some find it occasionally disjointed due to frequent shifts in viewpoint. Overall, it's celebrated for giving voice to sidelined characters.
Who Should Read A Thousand Ships?
A reader who enjoys A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes likely has an affinity for mythological retellings, strong female perspectives, and historical fiction. Fans of Madeline Miller's Circe and Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad will find this book compelling for its empowering narrative and rich, immersive storytelling.