Finished it in a few hours, even with putting sticky notes throughout for my major thesis - that's how much I enjoyed this book.

Maguire presents a literary biography unlike any I've ever seen. She really goes to great depths to explore as much of the literature surrounding Helen, and how each has its own impact on shaping her character.

She shows no great bias towards any authors; she does not favour nor reject anyone.

While not quite delving into the mythology was her primary statement, that it was purely the literary biography she desired, aspects of myth and religion couldn't well be ignored. It is because of that fact that I found sources that were only vaguely referenced in other historical based works, which has helped IMMENSELY for this thesis.

I've always loved Helen. This makes me love her more.