Monthly Group Reads: MAY 2014 (Group Read 2): The Song of Troy by Colleen McCullough

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I understand. I found that was the reason I was uncomfortable with Manda Scott Bpudica books Dreaming the Eagle. Loved the way they wee written, but she pushed the boundaries of fantasy by making 'prediction dreams' too precise.

[Matt]

Lia wrote: "Terri wrote: "That's interesting, Lia. When I picked the book for the poll, I went off a Goodreads friends review. She said that the liked the fact that those kinds of things were written in a way ..."

I would put Kassandra in that category as well. I think, because the original story is so old, it's perhaps difficult to not include the prophecies etc in the story and they may sound even more ridiculous if they were explained.

[Matt]

So, I finished the book the other day. I read Gemmell's version a couple of years ago, and I did like his more. I've decided on 3 stars.

Did anyone else feel that all of the characters were kind of flat? Maybe that's a result of there not being a lead character in this novel, unlike Gemmell's version of the story.

[Dawn]

I didn't think the characters flat but I do see where you're coming from.
I thought they lost some depth because there was never enough time with a specific person to become emotionally invested. Maybe less POV's would have helped?

[Dawn]

I didn't find the prophecies very fantasy myself.
No more than I would if a modern book had someone believe in their horoscope because they happened to be accurate.
There was no real magic or gods. People saying their mother or father was a god but never really doing anything.....(view spoiler)[maybe Achilles mother was a bit fey? But if you want to think of that stuff as dreams, they wouldn't really have to be fantasy.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Dawn]

Oh, and I'm with you Matthew....I love David Gemmell and I thought his version better too.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Turns out that when my library discovered this book was a stolen copy, they went and ordered a new copy.
I may end up getting to the book after all. It will be in a month or so, I dare say.

[Alicja]

I finished and am working on the review. It was going to be a 5 star book for me until a certain love triangle pissed me off. What can I say, I'm biased and secretly cheered when (view spoiler)[Achilles slapped Brise for what she said about Patrokles. I had that "oh no you didn't, bitch" moment and was glad Achilles didn't just take it (hide spoiler)].

And I love Odysseus, he is clever but also determined to get his way regardless of who gets sacrificed. Just adore him!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I hope I like it as much. :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

How did you feel about the potential fantasy elements, Alicja? Did you feel, for your tastes, that they were explainable?

[Alicja]

Terri wrote: "How did you feel about the potential fantasy elements, Alicja? Did you feel, for your tastes, that they were explainable?"

I think they were all explainable except for maybe the Oracle prophesies, unless you consider them self-fulfilling prophecies. I figure they were probably superstitious in those days, ruled by omens. If an Oracle or a priest can convince one that something will happen, then the character becomes obsessed with the prophecy speaking it as truth, they will seek it out themselves, even on a subconscious level, to fulfill what they believe wholeheartedly. Although it may have happened too much for my liking for a "straight" historical fiction novel, I read it more like I watched 300, all about the battle as the gods' playground (and reading into everything to determine the will of the gods/the fates' hands).

I am including the below in spoilers but for anyone who has read the Illiad (or watched the movie Troy), nothing I say below is a spoiler.

(view spoiler)[As some example of what I talked about above... Since the Oracle stated the war would last 10 years, after the initial battle, it became of sorts a stalemate until they pushed it at the 10th year determined to end it one way or another. Achilles was so convinced that he will die that it seemed like he sought death in the end, from POV of Automedon we learn there is something different about Achilles in battle on the day he's determined he is supposed to die. Even before that he's made peace with others, said his farewells, and even drawn up a will, of sorts. (hide spoiler)]

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

It was funny the other day when hubby swung by the library for me to pick up the two June group reads.

this is as close as I can get the story that he told me when he got home.
The library lady said to him "we have ordered in that Colleen McCullough book".
Hubby was like "huh? Colleen whatsie what?" (he had forgotten that our library card is in his name only, not mine)
"You reserved a McCullough book and it was missing. So we have ordered a new copy".
Then it clicked to him. "The reserves are my wifes, but I don't think she would read a McCullough romance book."
"I don't think it is a romance. It is something about Troy."
"Oh, well that makes more sense. If it is something to do with Troy. She sure isn't a Thornbirds kind of girl".

:D
He knows me too well.


Speaking of stories about his trip to the library.
When he was there, there was some guy that couldn't work out the self scanners and asked for a 'male librarian to help him'. He refused to be served by a woman librarian.
He said "women give false information and don't know how to work technology. Only a man can serve me".

The librarian lady told the guy "well I can help you with the self scanner and you don't know how to work it. So what does that make you?"
The dude got more and more hostile and hubby stepped in and told him he was a d#ck.
After the guy left. Hubby said the library lady "that guy is lucky my wife wasn't here. She would have torn him a new arsehole"

So yes, hubby does know me very well. :D

[Linda]

Again, you cannot make up this stuff! Your husband sounds like a 21st century knight in shining armor! Good for him and you, too. A man who knows his woman!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I was very proud of him standing up to the guy. :)

[Alicja]

Finally finished my review for this book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Dawn]

You have some very strong opinions about those characters. :)

I really liked this book, I'm glad it came up as a group read or I doubt I would have ever read it.

[Alicja]

Dawn wrote: "You have some very strong opinions about those characters. :)

I really liked this book, I'm glad it came up as a group read or I doubt I would have ever read it."

Haha, I think that comes from reading The Song of Achilles first. After getting onboard the Achilles/Patrokles romance, it is hard to give up. Plus, she said some really mean things!(view spoiler)[Even if there was no romance, you have a lifetime of a friendship vs. a what, less than a year relationship. I hope no one takes such crap about their best friend, right after they've died, even from a more established relationship. (hide spoiler)]