A Thousand Ships: A Novel

Written by Natalie Haynes

Narrated by Natalie Haynes

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

An NPR Best Book of the Year

“Gorgeous.... With her trademark passion, wit, and fierce feminism, Natalie Haynes gives much-needed voice to the silenced women of the Trojan War.”—Madeline Miller, author of Circe

Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, a gorgeous retelling of the Trojan War from the perspectives of the many women involved in its causes and consequences—for fans of Madeline Miller.

This is the women’s war, just as much as it is the men’s. They have waited long enough for their turn . . .

This was never the story of one woman, or two. It was the story of them all . . .

In the middle of the night, a woman wakes to find her beloved city engulfed in flames. Ten seemingly endless years of conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans are over. Troy has fallen.

From the Trojan women whose fates now lie in the hands of the Greeks, to the Amazon princess who fought Achilles on their behalf, to Penelope awaiting the return of Odysseus, to the three goddesses whose feud started it all, these are the stories of the women whose lives, loves, and rivalries were forever altered by this long and tragic war. 

A woman’s epic, powerfully imbued with new life, A Thousand Ships puts the women, girls and goddesses at the center of the Western world’s great tale ever told.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jan 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063065420

Natalie Haynes

Natalie Haynes is the author of six books, including the nonfiction work Pandora’s Jar, which was a New York Times bestseller, and the novels A Thousand Ships, which was a national bestseller and short-listed for the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction, and Stone Blind. She has written and recorded nine series of Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics for the BBC. Haynes has written for the Times, the Independent, the Guardian, and the Observer. She lives in London.

Reviews for A Thousand Ships

[Heather · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So well done.
Rarely, do I feel strongly enough about a book to write a review. I adored this lavish tapestry of a story. Interesting and well paced, Haynes uses an arsenal of beautiful words as warp and weft. This luxurious tale of the heroines of the Trojan War includes infamous ladies and more obscure damsels — all fascinating. Cassandra and Hecabe are favorites—they are human, tragic, relatable. The brocade of classic literature, new perspective, and delicate humor craft this novel into a page turner. The memory of A Thousand Ships will stay will me a long time. A reminder that life is short, and to never relinquish your owl... if you can help it.

[Elia Riou · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow i am a bit speechless!!! This is such a good book that should be mandator at school because if we want to teach our kids empathy this is it right here!!! I loved it

[sonya__walton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favourite read this year. On par with Madeline Miller’s Circe, and my friends know how much I loved that book (sorry not sorry for gushing about it forever).

[Jacalyn Burke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Breathtakingly rendered and delivered with a precision of the muse.

[Marija Mikuljan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is definitely my new favorite book. It was absolutely breathtaking! I’m looking forward to reading more of Natalie’s work.

[Jessica · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Empathetic to the women of the Trojan War. Gives the women of mythology the chance to speak, to come outside the regulated shadows of men. What their realities were beyond fodder for hero actions. An easy 5 stars.

[Sandra Dangler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I recommend the audio version. The author reads her book with great expression and I love her accent. This is an intriguing book. I am sorry that I have finished it.

[Samantha McDonald · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At first, I was bored with this. But I stick it out and I'm glad I did. I love this book. I love how its told through the women, not the men.

[Troy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I very much enjoyed it. I can't wait to read more from the author.

[Emma Kester · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love The Iliad, and to finally know so many of the women’s stories is so fulfilling

[Bk Muze · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I cried like a baby when this magnificent book was over. …so many emotions for the infinite spirits that abide in our tales and myths.

[Hariklia Tziamtzi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At last a refreshing approach to an epic. Finally women have a voice! Thank you!

[Matthew Tyre · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting and an amazing listen! The authors reading voice felt nice to listen to. Dynamic characters and an intriguing story woven from different texts and histories!

[Mary Peirce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant, wonderful!! The best book I have read this year... no, this decade!

[Scott · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic story! Brings the story of the Illiad and the Oddessy, and ancient Greese, to life. Wonderfully told. And offering a perspective much needed.

[Jacquelyn LaReau · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So great I have already recommended it to several people! Hearing the author deliver her work was fantastic. Great narration and such a fantastic way of weaving through the different perspectives of the women. It’s perfect.

[Shannon Henry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good read. It was interesting and kept my interest. Worth the time

[Alison Chapman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have been waiting since I first read The Odyssey as a teenager for someone to follow the threads of the story involving, as the author notes, the other of half the population effected by war. The artful telling of the women’s heroism, tragedy, love & hate, vengeance & resignation only found in bits and pieces throughout epic Greek writing is a triumph of modern feminist writing and one I will recommend to , well, everyone. These are stories women should read for inspiration and validation and men should read to understand the world women occupy a little better. More than 2,000 years has passed since the stories inspiring this writing occurred yet there are
shocking similarities found in the circumstances of countless women around the world even still. Who’s to say Haynes isn’t the conduit of Calliope waiting through the ages to tell us of the other half’s lives and deaths?

[Bill Branney · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a great book. The author was able to turn the tables on these stories and retell them in a fresh and enjoyable way. Having the author read the novel herself shows the passion that she had as she was writing it

[Madalena Afonso · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love love LOVE Nathalie Haynes. She’s such a talented author and narrator, and I never get tired of listening and reading her work. Absolutely fantastic

[peppera · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book should be a mandatory appendix to the Odyssey and Illiad.

[Leonie Markgraf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully spun tale and all the better through the author’s telling of it.

[sharon herriot · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderfully expansive epic.
As always Natalie has researched this impeccably (do listen to/read the postscript all about where she gathered the stories).
This fabulous retelling of the Odyssey, the downfall of Troy and what happened to the women of Troy is moving and a real page-turner.
I so enjoyed the journey and the deep dive into myth.

[Chai Darling · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’m speechless. Listening to the author read the lines of this epic work brought me to tears several times. Will devour the rest of her works post haste.

[Rick Woodroof · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

There is nothing that would’ve made this book better for me. Too much trivia on a subject I care little about. I fast forwarded to the end.

[megan matthews · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I honestly didn’t enjoy it much at first, but I think chapter 17 was the turning point. It’s worth the read. Presumptuous in a good way and well researched.

[PKC · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was fantastic! The story is emotionally moving. It is comfortingly familiar while offering a vibrant and fresh perspective on one of the best known tales in western literature. Having the author narrate was an added bonus.

[Marianne · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't get through this one - despite the story being interesting. the narrator/ author sounds so bored and the narration was painful for me. Perhaps I will try to read it again one day.

[Kim Hirschman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful retelling of the Iliad and Odessey from the perspective of all the women only mentioned in passing in the original stories. Narrated by the author who did a spectacular job. Some familiarity with Homer’s epic poems is recommended just so you have a basis for comparison.

[Michael Winslow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a fantastic, refreshing take on Greek mythology. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the narration is particularly good.