H. Allenger

***This book was reviewed for the San Francisco Book Review***

Allenger’s Polyxena is a Greek tragedy unlike any other. The tale of the Trojan War, the wooden horse, the death of Achilles, may be a familiar one to you, but what of the hidden tales behind the great legend? What of the other players in this great game of war?

Polyxena spins out the tale of the Trojan War through the eyes of the eponymous heroine. When first we meet Polyxena, she is waiting execution, having been captured by her enemies, and having spurned amorous advances by Neoptolemus, son of Achilles. She relates her story to the reader starting from the time just after Achilles took her brother Hector’s life in single combat before the gates of Troy.

Polyxena is a daughter of King Priam, and to her he entrusts a great mission- to seek out help from the fabled Amazons, to aid Troy in it’s dire plight. Among her trials, troubles, and triumphs, Polyxena is captured by Achilles and falls for him, despite swearing to hate him eternal, for his part in her brother’s death. They come to see one another as what truly they are- people, people trapped in war of another’s making.

Allenger’s story is more narrative than anything else. Indeed, it is very like reading the great Greek tragedies of old. If you enjoy authenticity, reminiscent of such as the Illiad and the Odyssey, you are sure to enjoy Polyxena.

I found this book to be a refreshing new look on an old tale. Allenger seems to have a genuine affection for the legend, and to have put many hours of research and much love into it. I will add, I was leery upon first taking it up. School burned me out on Greco-Roman myth and legend, and that subtle dislike stayed with me into adulthood, despite my love of myth, legend, and archaeology. ***To schools out there everywhere- there’s more to ‘world’ mythology than the Greeks and Romans. Broaden your horizons!*** I’m glad I took this chance! Polyxena proved a wonderful read indeed.… (més)

I went into Polyxena with limited knowledge of the Trojan War but untold curiosity. I remember having read The Odyssey in high school and having enjoyed it very much. I, of course knew the story of the Trojan Horse. But I did not know the story behind what started the war and this was a detriment in reading this book. About a quarter of the way through I was so frustrated with references to its start that I had to go google it to learn the mythology. Once I did that I could settle down and read what was an excellent book. This was my only complaint with Polyxena.

We meet Polyxena - a princess of Troy - as the war is well in progress. Her brother, the great warrior Hector has been killed by Achilles. Things are not going well and her father King Priam sends Polyxena on a mission to the land of the Amazons to enlist their help. It is while on this mission that Polyxena comes into her own and finds herself as the strong woman she is.

Without giving too much away I will just say that on the way back to Troy she meets Achilles and even though she had vowed to hate him for his having killed her brother, they fall in love. He trusts her and shares his one weakness with her - his heel. Through treachery of servants and brothers Achilles is called to the gates of Troy and Paris shoots an arrow into his heel and he dies. Polyxena is inconsolable. The Greeks are well, angry enough to do whatever they can to defeat the Trojans.

The tale of the Trojan horse is so well known I don't need to retell it here. Nor will I share the Polyxena's fate - you will have to read the book for that as I also googled her and this book does not follow common mythology.

Mr. Allenger does a fine job of writing in Polyxena's voice. I felt her joys, her sorrows and her deepest losses. This is not a light and happy story by any stretch of the imagination yet I did not feel sad at its ending. Only sad that is was over. The characters were very well developed with one exception - Polyxena's nemesis Neoptolemus (Achilles' son). I felt he was just a little underdeveloped for playing such a critical role in the tale. Nonetheless I enjoyed this book and certainly do recommend it.… (més)