The Procrastinators Book Club discussion
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The Song of Achilles
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★Buddy/Group Read Retirement★
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The Song of Achillies (July 2020) Buddy Read Discussion - Burger & Laura ☾ & Marta & Jen K& Eléonore & Abigail & Mina
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Up to Chapter 5I'm enjoying the writing style so far - which is unsurprising as I also loved Circe!
I also loved Circe! I was in for a surprise when I found out in chapter one it was not written in Achilles' perspective, as I had thought it would be.
I accidentally signed up for 3 buddy reads on the 1st so I'm a bit behind but will catch up this weekend. I also really enjoyed Circe so it will be interesting to compare.
Marta wrote: "Just finished Chapter 10 and @Laura ☾ [spoilers removed]"
Yup! I didn’t expect that! Haha
Caught up through chapter 10. I saw it coming, hoped it was coming but dang! Quick and enjoyable read so far.
Mod
I thought this was told from Achilles perspective.. so that's a surprise. Poor Patroclus how his father treated him.
I feel like I need go through some Greek history/mythology before I continue the book because I remember nothing of who is who for the most part.. but also I'm too lazy to look up something that won't take that much time, and honestly I would much rather listen to the book.
Hahaha fair enough! I’m up to 17 now and really enjoying the writing style especially !
Mod
I still like the writing, it makes the years pass somehow slower, or maybe that's not the description. We just flow through the years, it's somehow easy, I feel lulled by the writing which is great because after half of the book I feel like nothing really happened 😅
I like Odysseus and Diomedes' friendship 😄
I had to look up a bit of the mythology last night as well. It's been a long time since I read Homer. Odysseus is fun especially with Diomedes. It is interesting to hear how he speaks about Penelope in remembering his relationship with Penelope and Circe in Circe.
Yes! Odysseus and Diomedes are definitely entertaining! I’m up to Chapter 21 now and really enjoying the banter between them all - and Achilles is such a sweetheart
message 14:
by
mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator
(last edited Jul 05, 2020 06:32AM)
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rated it 4 stars
Mod
But I wanted to comment on things in Ch 28 and before (view spoiler)
EDIT: I finished it
(view spoiler)
Finally caught up to Chapter 25. I agree about the banter between Odysseus and Diomedes. I love her style of writing. It's also interesting to me in comparison to Circe, I feel like this book is much faster pace. Circe in turn went on for ages with so much going on from her childhood and so forth. In a way though I feel like that's a good way to compare how short and fast life of humans were compared to sorceress.
(view spoiler)
mina wrote: "I'm currently on chapter 28, and I'm going to finish the book today because I need to lower my buddy read pile 😅"Same !
I have just finished it and I am hesitating between 3 or 4 stars.
The beginning was incredible, the romance wonderful, (view spoiler) I loved rediscovering these ancient heroes.
However, some choices of writing or background left me puzzled...
I'd love to discuss what you think about it when you're done.
Mod
For me it's a 4 stars, although it looked more like a 4- but then it had those moments that made me almost cry so it deserves the full 4 stars.
I liked the writing a lot, there's something about her writing style that just makes me a bit breathless. The author told a story that took place over 20 years (I think it's about that number), but the way she told it.. the time passed yet it passed slow. I already said somewhere, I think, that it gave me the feeling of floating which I liked.
With that being said, without that writing I don't know what to think of the story. It was more concentrated on the relationship(s) rather some action, although the end had action with the war, however I didn't find the relationships that developed, I wanted more.
I kinda wish that I re-freshened my Greek mythology before starting the book because I would recognize the name but remember nothing about the characters, or there were cases where I didn't even know about the characters, or knew very little.. like Patroclus, I've heard about him, probably related to this book, but outside of that I don't think I read about him.
Just finished Chapter 25. I agree with Marta on the cliffhangers making me want to continue. I do not like Achilles reaction in Chapter 25 at all. His indifference to women can be cruel at times.
Jen K wrote: "Just finished Chapter 25. I agree with Marta on the cliffhangers making me want to continue. I do not like Achilles reaction in Chapter 25 at all. His indifference to women can be cruel at times."I agree Jen! He has a huge hero personality and ego. It's frustrating at times how inhumane he acts.
Mod
I'm up to Chapter 25 as well - but I will try to finish it today! I agree with you guys on Achilles' reactions
Ok I 'm up to 29 - Achilles really is being an insufferable prick! Will try to finish later tonight!
Agreed! I finished last night and Achilles does just get worse sadly. I feel for him but he is so blinded by his pride and reputation. And his son??? Another example where he probably should have shown some care.
I'm only at chapter 8 but I am loving it so much! It's like lowkey bringing me back to my Greek mythology/Percy Jackson phase of my childhood 😂 When I finally read the back I got real sad because I'm pretty sure I know where this ends
Mod
mina wrote: "@Laura What, you haven't finished it? I was pretty sure you were done with it 😂"I know for once! Hahahah work has been kicking my ass these past two weeks so I’ve had barely any time to read
Ok I finally finished it! Yeah I agree with all of you guys! I feel like Achilles' behaviour is very in line with deities/demigods of Greek mythology - particularly his hubris and temperamental/vengeful/spiteful nature!
Although considering his relationship with his mother he definitely should have paid more attention to his son.
FINISHED!Would Achilles be able to show his son any care though? He went into the war of Troy so early and was there for 10+ years right? I wonder how different the outcome would have been if he was there for him because the son was absolutely brutal.
I think like 80% through when Achilles was unbearable I lost a bit of interest in the book and took a break. I wish I hadn't because soon enough they were killing Patroclus. I still think I'm between 4/5 stars. I'm unsure if I'm just being biased because of the author and how much I loved Circe...
I agree with @mina that the end made me tear up. I think focusing on the relationship instead of just the war was a smart choice. You learn how these characters grew up and got together. It made it so much harder with his loss. The author does a fantastic job of investing me into something that happened for 20 years and also so so long ago.
I usually try to read and remember as little as I can about Greek mythology because I want to be surprised. I do spend some time after the book is finished looking up the main characters and seeing where the author got the stories from.
I binge read everything after chapter 8 last night and I have so many feelings.I agree with all the comments about her writing because every time they said how old they were I was surprised at how much time had passed. It never felt like time was passing even thought this book takes place across so many years.
I didn't cry for Achilles death but I almost did for the massive change in him after the fight about the plague (sorry I can't remember the chapter). It just hurt me how much he changed from the innocent and loving child that he used to be. I agree it's super common for Greek Heroes to act the way Achilles did but it still upset me.
The way Miller chose to tell the story from the perspective of Patroclus and focus on the relationship really helped to humanize Achilles in a way that most heroes don't get.
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Each week we will be reading by chapters. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:
Week of 7/1
July 1: Chapters 1-5
July 2: Chapters 6-10
July 3: Chapters 11-15
July 4: Chapters 16-20
Week of 7/5
July 5: Chapters 21-25
July 6: Chapters 26-30
July 7: Chapters 31-33
PARTICIPANTS
~ Burger
~ Laura ☾
~ Marta
~ Jen K
~ Eléonore
~ Abigail
~ Mina