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 Achilles (June 2025) Buddy Read Discussion - Edith & Samantha, Sarah-Vanessa
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June 23rd: Chapters 1-4
June 24th: Chapters 5-8
June 25th: Chapters 9-12
June 26th: Chapters 13-16
June 26th: Chapters 17-20
June 27th: Chapters 21-24
June 28th: Chapters 25-28
June 29th: Chapters 29-33
@Edith that looks perfect. Thank you for making the schedule.
Chapter 1 - 4Ok, I believe having just read Odyssey comes in handy. At least some of the characters and names sound familiar.
But yet again the cruelty during that time… I mean did the father of Achilles just rape a goddess and she got punished for that.
Just finished ch 1-4! Yeah the rape of the goddess being how Achilles came to be is so crazy.I will admit that I am a bit envious of Petroclus, though--not envious of the banishment, of course--but envious in the sense that I wish I were able to hear Achilles play his lyre. Really loved the description of that experience.
Chapter 5 - 8@Samantha The scene with Achilles playing the lyre was indeed beautiful. I find it intriguing that he’s going to be a soldier and at the same time seems to love music. Even at Charion‘s place he wanted to learn the instruments and seemed really passionate about it.
I fear these two boys will not have an easy fate… Especially with a goddess working against them.
And how hilarious was that scene where Achilles and Petroclus were riding the centaur.😂
ch 5-8Petroclus's crush on Achilles is so endearing and so heart-wrenching! It's so cute to read about how beautiful, witty, and charismatic Achilles is from Petroclus's perspective. @Sarah-Vanessa you are so right--things are not going to be easy for the two of them.
Achilles' mom--the goddess--sounds so terrifying, though.
Edith wrote: "hi all! so how does this schedule look to you guys? June 23rd: Chapters 1-4
June 24th: Chapters 5-8
June 25th: Chapters 9-12
June 26th: Chapters 13-16
June 26th: Chapters 17-20
June 27th: Chapter..."
hi! just wanted to give a heads up that June 26th is duplicated!
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@Edith I didn’t even notice 😂@Samantha Yes his crush is absolutely heart-wrenching. I can’t really say what I feel about Achilles feelings. Either he’s not reciprocating Petroclus feelings - which I refuse to believe - or he’s just scared or not really aware of them yet.
Chapter 9 - 12
I feel like Chiron and Achilles are not telling Petroclus the whole truth about what Thetis wanted. They must know something and probably don’t want to scare him.
On the other hand living with Chiron on that mountain, experiencing all the different seasons and nature, seems wonderful.
Well, here we have the answer…I wrote this above before I read the chapters, but now it’s clear: Achilles was probably just scared his mother would see them and punish Petroclus.
Wow I mean how heartless can a mother be, even if she’s a goddess. Disguising Achilles as a woman, hiding him from Petroclus on an island and then marrying him off…I don’t believe one second that Thetis hid him because she didn’t want him to go to war. She wanted him far away from Petroclus.
ch 9-12@Sarah-Vanessa, I totally agree with you — living in nature and being fully immersed in every season on that mountain sounds so nice and incredibly grounding.
I did a little fist pump in the air when it became abundantly clear that Achilles reciprocated Petroculus's feelings. I just love their love, and I hate that there are always obstacles preventing them from being together. But Achilles being seen as beautiful, whether or not he is perceived as a man or woman, is such a flex--I'm envious haha
Chapter 13 - 16What a foul play of Ulysses. But honestly I can’t decide on what would have been the better choice. Neither of Achilles choices sound enticing.
@Samantha Absolutely! I was so happy for them finally being together.
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I can't help but feel bad for Patroclus because it seems he's just living under Achilles' shadow this entire time. I know, I know Achilles is a demigod and destined for great things, but I can't help it 😅
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Chapter 17 - 20Anybody else agreeing that the first half if the book was more enticing? I‘m not feeling the war part that much.
And what was that with Iphigenia? That was barbaric! And honestly I didn’t like Ulysses in his own book, he’s even worse here. A selfish hypocrite.
Interesting how blue eyes were conceived as freaky during these times.
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it's interesting to see the war slowly progress into something that was supposed to be short to something lasting longer than 4 years. my anxiety for achilles' upcoming death only grows as the book comes to a close. i will also be honest and admit that in all my life i have not actually learned the story of achilles so anything that happens will come as a great surprise lol.
Chapter 21 - 24.Ugh, I‘m slightly behind schedule…
I literally was in tears reading how Patroclus takes care of the girls. It’s heartbreaking to see how they’re treated and raped.
@Edith I don’t know the story of Achilles either.
I‘m fashionably late for finishing and sharing my post. But I feel like needing a small break from reading.Chapter 25 - 33
Sorry to say it, but Achilles turned into a selfish man-child. Only caring about his honor and the way he’s shining. I get that his reputation and honor are all he has, but it’s a war and basically it’s not all about him.
I honestly start to dislike this guy. Patroclus is the real hero here. So sad he‘s just Achilles side-kick most of the time. For a second I was hoping Patroclus would defeat Hector disguised as Achilles. Sadly it took another turn. Go Briseis, shes one hundred percent correct.
Ok, what an ending. There’s at least a small happy ending. But honestly at the end I didn’t feel Achilles at all and Pyrrhus was a horrible human being, if you can even call him that!
Overall thoughts: It‘s 4 stars.
The first part of this book was beautiful. The story of Achilles and Patroclus was something else and I really enjoyed seeing how their relationship blossomed. When the war started, things changed for the worse. I feel like Achilles and Patroclus went down different roads, One was selfish and only caring about his fame and honor. The other one turned into a marvelous and even more beautiful human soul. Helping others, giving up everything for the ones he loved. But still constantly only being Achilles side-kick and not getting the grace he deserved. For that second part I removed a star. Didn’t enjoy that part too much and although in the end, Patroclus got some sort of happy end, he honestly deserved so much more.
I am also fashionably late in finishing this one! I made the mistake of finishing it in a public place and then had to leave to ~process my feelings~. But I agree with you @Sarah-Vanessa: Achilles stubbornness and his determination to uphold his honor is what led to his undoing and literally resulted in the destruction of all the people he loved. Patroclus is the hero here and such a thoughtful, empathetic, and big hearted person. It’s just so heartbreaking that Achilles could not see past his pride until it was too late
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Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:
Week of 06/23
June 23rd: Chapters 1-4
June 24th: Chapters 5-8
June 25th: Chapters 9-12
June 26th: Chapters 13-16
June 26th: Chapters 17-20
June 27th: Chapters 21-24
June 28th: Chapters 25-28
Week of 06/29
June 29th: Chapters 29-33
PARTICIPANTS
~ Edith
~ Samantha
~ Sarah-Vanessa