Goddess of Yesterday is a YA adult published by Caroline B. Cooney in 2002. The story is an example of historical fiction that reimagines a famous event from the perspective of a minor participant. In this case, the event is the Trojan War, and the perspective belongs to that of Anaxandra, the daughter of the chieftain of a small Greek island, who is taken prisoner by King Nicander of Siphnos in order to provide a close friend to his lonely daughter, Callisto. This abduction takes place when Anaxandra is just six years old, and she winds up living happily with the King's family for the next six years of her life. Eventually, events that set the Trojan War in motion commence and Anaxandra is forced to pretend to be Callisto in order to save her own life. This decision brings her into conflict with Helen of Troy, the great beauty over whom the Trojan War begins. Things become further complicated when Anaxandra—still pretending to be Callisto—is forced to take the place of Helen's daughter, Hermione, in order to protect her life.
Although Cooney has authored several novel series including The Vampire's Promise trilogy and The Time Travelers Quartet, Goddess of Yesterday is one of her many standalone publications which tell a an independent story. In addition, the novel is part of an increasing list of works of fiction inspired by the mythic tale of Helen of Troy ranging from The Private Life of Helen of Troy by John Erskine to Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad. Cooney's entry on this list provides further ample evidence that the stories surrounding the Trojan War offer a rich tapestry of events and actions and complicated relationships allowing it to be reimagined from a variety of different perspectives.
Goddess of Yesterday was nominated for the South Carolina Junior Book Award. In 2003, it was selected for inclusion on the American Library Association's list of Notable Children's Books for Older Readers. These accolades further confirm the general consensus of reviews that the novel's strongest element is its narration. The story is related in the first-person by its young protagonist and many reviews have highlighted the author's ability to convey a complex story involving multiple characters through a young woman's perspective which retains a sense of realism and authenticity.
