"Kristina O'Donnelly takes the immortal tale of Troy – gods, heroes, and battles, but gives us the woman's take. The strong women that are victimized by the violence, yet survive and ultimately rise above it. O'Donnelly has done a great job taking the violent male-centered story of The Iliad and bringing it a female perspective. Men get the glory, women do the suffering (men suffer too, of course, but it's often their choice--women have fewer choices, and had fewer yet in those ancient days). Andromakhe is a major work and must-read story for 2006." Rob Preece, Author Veil of the Goddess
 Andromakhe - An Epic Novel of Troy and a Woman's Triumphant Valor
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(the novel is told from the viewpoint of Andromakhe aka Andromache, beloved wife of Hector, Defender of Troy)
................................. I pulled myself together, held my head high, and went to watch from the wall as he came out in his chariot, shouted his battle-cry, thundering onto the vast plain. The Achaians were pressing a forward advantage, but were thrust back when the Trojans rallied at sight of my Hektôr. As when heaven sends a breeze to sailors who have long prayed for one in vain, laboring at their oars until they grow faint with toil, so welcome was the sight of Hektôr to his men. The fight had gone badly without him, for, even without Akhilles, the presumed death of the Defender had given the enemy courage. More of our warriors flew out through sally ports, bull-hide shields held in front. From the battlements, others hurled huge stones upon the approaching enemy groups. Now a shout of dread tore from our collective breasts: Above the host a screaming eagle circled, in its talons a crimson serpent. The two creatures fought in the air, wounding each other. But as they flew over the hostile ranks, the serpent struck at the eagle with his fangs, and the eagle, gashed in the breast, dropped the serpent. Our warriors froze up as they saw the blood-red serpent lying across their path, for they believed it was an omen from Zeus. They wanted to turn back, but Hektôr pressed them on, “One omen I know is to fight a good fight for our homes!” He pointed with his great sword, “Run forward, my friends! Bring the battle to those ships that came to our coast against the will of the gods!” With that, Hektôr and Kebriones flung toward the camp, Hektôr raising repeatedly the dread-cry of battle, inciting them to fight on while scattering Achaian foot soldiers and chariots like chaff. When the enemy realized that the Champion of Troia was still alive, they fell back as before a ghost. As his splendid body with the gleaming armor fleeted in and out of the enemy ranks, I thought of the sun, covered by and freed from, dark clouds as it travels in the sky. Hektôr thundered for the beached enemy ships, flew over the wide protective ditch, and landed in front of their fortifications. Kebriones was struck by a slingshot on the head. Dazed, he dropped the reins, the chariot shook, swerved, and Hektôr tumbled down; I screamed like a thousand furies, terrified he would not be able to get back to his feet, but he did, grasping on loyal Xanthos’ neck. Hektôr lifted up a rock, as great as not even Herakles could raise it from the ground, and flung it at the main gate. The rock broke through hinges and bars, and the great gate caved in under its impact. Hektôr leapt across its remnants with a spear in each of his hands. No warrior could withstand him now as he scattered camp-slaves and smashed tents. Recovering, Kebriones pulled the chariot aside, quickly looking over both horses and wheels. Polydamas rushed to his side, helping. Cowed by Hektôr’s one-man scourge, the rest of the enemy was hemmed in at their ships in fear of him; when they rained javelins upon him, he still fought on with the force and fury of a whirlwind. I let my tears flow freely as I watched him, Hektôr Astyanax, a mighty lion wreaking havoc in the camp of jackals. However, his high spirit might well be the death of him…. I began chanting, “Long live Hektôr! Hektôr Astyanax!” The whole of Troia joined, “Long live Hektôr! Hektôr Astyanax!” Many a time did he charge at his pursuers and scattered them. Meanwhile arcs of brilliant fire fingered the swinging throw of torches onto the listing decks beyond. The enemy raced for water with anything they could find. Presently I spotted Ajax Telamonides cast at Hektôr a huge stone used to prop one of the ships, striking him on the breast, over the rim of his shield. The blow was so fierce that my beloved husband spun round like a top. Despite the distance, I heard the bronze of his shield and helmet clanging loudly as he fell on the ground. The Achaians swarmed to where he lay, ready to tear him apart limb by limb. Led by Polydamas his comrades placed their shields around him and drove back the enemy pressing round. They lifted him into his chariot, and Kebriones drove him away. Sudden pandemonium broke out among Trojans nearer the city; Akhilles' golden armor, specially made by Hephaistos, flashed toward the Achaian front. My knees weakened. Oh, no! Akhilles was back in the fight! .......................... ......................................
Excerpt
In Classic Literature, Trojan hero Hektôr and his wife Andromache are the archetypical loving and loyal couple. Andromache’s name conjures up an appealing vision of Hektôr's lovely and devoted other half, bravely suffering the loss of all of her loved ones in the ten-year long Trojan War: Mother and father, seven brothers, husband, son, and friends.
Love, hate, greed, war, intrigue, heroes and villains combine in Andromakhe, the novel, with authenticated geography/history, offering an intimate view into the Bronze Age.
Haunted by flashes of a previous life in a land called Shardana, she has a mysterious bond with Alexis (Paris) Prince of Troy.
From the legendary Memnon, King of Ethiopia, who aids Troia after Hektôr’s death, to win her as prize, to Pyrrhos Neoptolemos, son of Akhilles, who loves and hates her at the same time, to Hektôr’s brother Helenos, warrior, seer, and priest of Apollo, titans battle gods and fates to win Hektôr’s widow, whose heart remains faithful to him even beyond his death.
Available as e-book, at http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook39557.htm
Dedicated website: http://www.trojanenchantment-novel.com
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