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The Silence of the Girls

By: Pat Barker
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton, Michael Fox
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Publisher's Summary

Shortlisted for the Costa Best Novel Award 2018

Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2019

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, read by Kristin Atherton and Michael Fox.

From the Booker Prize-winning author of Regeneration and one of our greatest contemporary writers on war comes a reimagining of the most famous conflict in literature - the legendary Trojan War.

The great city of Troy is under siege as Greek heroes Achilles and Agamemnon wage bloody war over a stolen woman. In the Greek camp, another woman is watching and waiting: Briseis. She was a queen of this land until Achilles sacked her city and murdered her husband and sons. Now she is Achilles' concubine: a prize of battle.

Briseis is just one among thousands of women backstage in this war - the slaves and prostitutes, the nurses, the women who lay out the dead - all of them voiceless in history. But, though no one knows it yet, they are just 10 weeks away from the death of Achilles and the fall of Troy, an end to this long and bitter conflict. Briseis will see it all - and she will bear witness.

©2018 Pat Barker (P)2018 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about The Silence of the Girls

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Brilliant book!

This book gives a voice to the female perspective and deeper understanding of the brutality of historical events. The Trojan war is a story that’s well known, but only the story of men, this book lets the women be heard.

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hope in hopeless times

the strength of the female characters were embodied by prose of such quality that I was emerged from the start, and enhanced by narration that gave soul and life to the story

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Immersive Greek/Trogan story

How fascinating and enjoyable to find yourself in a Greek tragedy observing the characters that have influenced our world for so long.

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  • Ian
  • 10-04-2019

Captivating

I normally don't read fiction but i'm glad I made an exception with this book. It is a beautifully written, emotionally moving journey that enthralled me from beginning to end. The two narrators brought the story to life, and especially Kristin Atherton who is superb. Highly recommended.

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A magnificent odyssey from a writer I command of her craft

This novel is spell binding. The narrative explores the female world in the time of the wars that result in the fall of Troy. In the place of history we get her story. It is a masterpiece in the story, the characters and their complex relationships and it’s political messages. Poetic, compassionate and engaging.

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Riveting read

Fantastic story and great way to learn about the Iliad. Well read by both voices, thoroughly enjoyable.

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Incredible!

The narrator's strong and charming voice perfectly tells this eye-opening and insightful story ~ no regrets.

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A well told story of ancient women's suffering

A well told story of the suffering of women during ancient war. An insight into the workings of how women of all classes, even royalty, were taken as slaves to kings and generals. Sad and confronting at times, this book offers perspective on the well entrenched sexist barbaric acts of men and war.

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Beautiful story

Fantastic story, beautifully told from the women’s perspective Great narration. A great innovative telling of the final weeks of the Trojan war.

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I loved this book

this book is highly recommended. a believable and engaging story. The story was beautifully told.

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