A review by berenikeasteria
Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore by Bettany Hughes

5.0

Bettany Hughes’ debut work is a magnum opus of truly astonishing proportions. Hughes has not only written a thoroughly detailed examination of the evidence for a real Bronze Age Helen, and produced an in depth portrait of the woman if she indeed existed, but she has delved even further, studying perceptions of Helen throughout history and exploring the big question of just why Helen of Troy has remained a subject of fascination, reverence and revilement for millennia. Meticulously researched, Helen of Troy weaves together thousands of strands of evidence to create a comprehensive picture of not only Helen, but also the vibrant world she moved in. Hughes is insightful, discerning and astutely pieces together the long scattered fragments of the Helen of Troy puzzle. At the same time, her work is interesting, engaging and clearly written, you won’t find a stuffy textbook here, Hughes writes in a very personable style which draws upon anecdotes and plain language to get her points across, and her voice shines through just as if I was watching one of her fantastic documentaries. Quite possibly the definitive biography of Helen of Troy.