The Silence of the Girls

One of the 25 Best Novels of the 21st Century (London Sunday Times)

“Eloquent. . . . Speaks to our times while describing those long gone.” —The Washington Post

“Almost Homeric in its brilliance. . . . Masterful and moving.” —The Economist

“Beautiful. . . . It is as if Barker had found an artifact with an as yet undeciphered alphabet among the glittering grave treasures of Homer’s epic.” —The New York Review of Books

“[A] fiercely feminist retelling of the Iliad. . . . [Barker] sings the rage of Briseis, captive queen.” —O, The Oprah Magazine

“The Silence of the Girls is brilliant—fascinating, riveting and blood chilling in its matter-of-fact attitude toward war and those who are its spoils. . . . Wonderful.” —Diana Gabaldon

“Beautifully done.” —NPR

“Brilliant. . . . This is an important, powerful, memorable book that invites us to look differently not only at The Iliad but at our own ways of telling stories about the past and the present.” —The Guardian

“Barker’s powerful feminist revision of Homer’s Iliad creates a central narrative voice for Briseis. . . . Through her we see the devastating effects of this very male war on the captured women.” —Financial Times

“This book is primo Barker. . . . Powerful. . . . Fascinating. . . . Evocative.” —The Washington Times

“Gives a voice to the voiceless. . . . The Silence of the Girls is a book that will be read in generations to come.” —The Daily Telegraph (London)

“Magnificent. . . . You are in the hands of a writer at the height of her powers.” —The Evening Standard

“This vibrant retelling of the Trojan War by a woman on the side of the defeated is long overdue. . . . It’s an absolute pleasure to read for any devoted fan of the Iliad, but equally accessible to those new to the Trojan story; indeed, The Silence of the Girls might make the perfect entry.” —Shelf Awareness (starred review)

“A compelling take on the events of The Iliad. . . . Briseis is flawlessly drawn. . . . Barker makes it all convincing and very powerful. Recommended on the highest order.” —Booklist (starred review)

“A must read. . . . Both lyrical and brutal, Barker’s novel is not to savor delicately but rather to be devoured in great bloody gulps.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“A suspenseful and moving illumination of women’s fates in wartime. . . . Barker’s hands, the conflict takes on a new dimension.” —Publishers Weekly