Nobody's Princess (review)

Even as a child, Helen of Troy was stunning, and she learned early that she could use it to gain further advantages. In Friesner's interpretation of the legendary beauty's early years, though, Helen is essentially saved from herself by wily adults (mostly outside her own doting family) who help her see that there are myriad ways in which humans can achieve, few of which are tied to beauty. Helen is a prototype feminist who is determined to learn more than womanly skills; aided by her mother and, later, Atalanta, she learns to hunt, ride horses, fight, and challenge the authority of men. Although Helen certainly faces adversity and heartbreak, this is more a story of the triumph of a determined young woman over her own fate as a coddled, indulged object of beauty. The author wisely entrusts the story to Helen's own narration, allowing readers direct access to the sometimes contradictory, often flawed reasoning that leads Helen into many painful life lessons. In addition, although the male characters are largely interchangeable, Helen is surrounded by an array of compelling, brilliant women who will certainly appeal to both the fantasy and myth fans who are the audience for this novel. An author's note will lead interested readers to the classical texts and myths on which Friesner based her Helen, and a map is included.