For the Most Beautiful

For the Most Beautiful retells the Trojan War from the perspectives of two women: Briseis, a princess turned slave, and Krisayis, daughter of the High Priest of Troy. Their narratives run parallel to the legendary conflict between Greeks and Trojans. The novel follows these women as they navigate life within the walls of Troy and in the Greek military camps. Through their eyes, readers experience the famous siege, the political machinations of leaders, and the human cost of war beyond the battlefield. The story incorporates the Greek gods as active characters, showing their direct interference in mortal affairs while maintaining focus on the human elements of the tale. The divine beings observe and influence events from their position on Mount Olympus, adding another layer to the narrative. The novel explores themes of agency and power, particularly how women assert themselves within the constraints of ancient patriarchal societies. It presents the Trojan War not just as an epic military conflict, but as a complex web of relationships and individual choices.

Readers appreciate Hauser's focus on the female perspective of the Trojan War, particularly through the characters of Krisayis and Briseis. Many note the fresh take on a familiar story and the detailed historical research evident in the writing. Common praise includes the vivid descriptions of ancient Troy and the humanizing of characters who are often relegated to minor roles in other tellings. Multiple reviewers mention the strong feminist themes and compelling portrayal of women's lives during wartime. Main criticisms target the modern dialogue and narrative style, which some readers find jarring against the historical setting. Several reviews note pacing issues in the middle sections and confusion about the frequent switches between character perspectives. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (80+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (40+ ratings) "The story drags in places but the fresh perspective makes it worth reading" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful writing but occasionally feels too contemporary" - Amazon reviewer

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🏺 Author Emily Hauser is a classicist who studied at Harvard University and holds a PhD in Classics from Yale, bringing deep historical expertise to her retelling of the Trojan War. ⚔️ The novel retells the story of the Trojan War from the perspectives of two overlooked female characters: Krisayis, daughter of the Trojan High Priest, and Briseis, a princess of Pedasus. 🏛️ While Homer's Iliad focuses primarily on male heroes like Achilles and Hector, this book gives voice to the women who are often treated as mere prizes of war in classical literature. 📚 The book is the first installment in Hauser's Golden Apple trilogy, which reimagines various Greek myths from female perspectives. 🗺️ The author conducted extensive research in Turkey, visiting the archaeological site of Troy to ensure accurate geographical and historical details in her descriptions of the ancient city.