THE EXHILARATING FOLLOW-UP TO PAT BARKER'S THE WOMEN OF TROY AND THE SILENCE OF THE GIRLS After ten blood-filled years, the war is over. Troy lies in smoking ruins as the victorious Greeks fill their ships with the spoils of battle. Alongside the treasures looted are the many Trojan women captured by the Greeks - among them the legendary prophetess Cassandra, and her watchful maid, Ritsa. Enslaved as concubine - war-wife - to King Agamemnon, Cassandra is plagued by visions of his death - and her own - while Ritsa is forced to bear witness to both Cassandra's frenzies and the horrors to come. Meanwhile, awaiting the fleet's return is Queen Clytemnestra, vengeful wife of Agamemnon. Heart-shattered by her husband's choice to sacrifice their eldest daughter to the gods in exchange for a fair wind to Troy, she has spent this long decade plotting retribution, in a palace haunted by child-ghosts. As one wife journeys toward the other, united by the vision of Agamemnon's death, one thing is certain: this long-awaited homecoming will change everyone's fates forever. 'The queen of literary historical fiction, Barker is an unflinching guide for a trip across ancient Greece' National Geographic 'In her thrilling retelling of the stories of Cassandra and Clytemnestra, Barker conjures up a world stained by the grief of mothers and daughters. Agamemnon's palace is the stuff of nightmares, a world of suspicion and fear, plagued by the ghosts of innocents' Paula Hawkins 'You go to her for plain truths, a driving storyline and a clear eye, steadily facing the history of our world' Guardian Instant Sunday Times bestseller, August 2024
Pat Barker
Pat Barker is an English author best known for her powerful and thought-provoking novels that often explore the psychological and emotional impact of war on individuals. Her most notable work is the Regeneration Trilogy, which includes the novels "Regeneration," "The Eye in the Door," and "The Ghost Road." These novels are set during World War I and examine the experiences of soldiers suffering from shell shock.
Barker's writing style is characterized by its stark realism, detailed character development, and exploration of complex themes such as trauma, memory, and the nature of war. Her work has had a significant impact on the genre of historical fiction, as well as on the way war and its aftermath are portrayed in literature.
Overall, Pat Barker's contributions to literature have been widely recognized, earning her numerous awards and accolades, including the Booker Prize for Fiction for "The Ghost Road" in 1995. Her work continues to be celebrated for its depth, insight, and emotional resonance.
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Regeneration
The first novel in Pat Barker's Booker Prize-winning Regeneration trilogy
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The epic new romance from the author of Seven Days in June
The Atlas Complex
The devastating conclusion to the story that started with The Atlas Six - now an international bestseller