The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
14 April 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Madeline Miller, Mythology, Once Upon a Time, The Song of Achillles, Troy
The Song of Achilles is a retelling of the story of Achilles told from the point of view of Patroclus. I found this read intriguing and compelling. The pages simply flew by and it was all over too soon!
I enjoyed reading this from the point of view of Patroclus. Born a prince and banished to the Island of Phthia under the guardianship of King Peleus, Patroclus meets and eventually befriends Achilles. Starting out resentful and almost hating Achilles’ easy and lazy acceptance of his own brilliance Patroclus eventually becomes enamoured with the Prince. Of course, the story of Achilles is well known even if you haven’t studied the classics (which I haven’t) so I don’t really need to elaborate too much on plot. What, I think makes this story different is the modern way in which the story is told. The writing is crisp and to the point and the narrative is not interrupted by flowery descriptions. I did enjoy the writing style and in particular the descriptions of Achilles’ Goddess mother Thetis – a rather chilling woman by all accounts! You could practically taste the tension snapping and crackling whenever she appeared on the scene.
I did however have slightly mixed feelings about the book. Yes, I enjoyed it. It’s a love story – which I hadn’t realised or expected and which was quite a nice surprise. I felt quite easily transported to the time and place. I loved meeting some of the characters. I really liked Odysseus and Chiron and reading about Thetis was quite gripping. I also thought it started out really well, and actually concluded really well, I did flag a bit in the middle but the ending redeemed this with ease. I think my main problem with this was that I found Patroclus a tiny bit irritating and actually, to an extent Achilles. Patroclus just comes across too much in awe of Achilles. Even after they’ve been together for quite some time he constantly talks about how beautiful Achilles is – it sort of put me in mind a little of Edward and Bella and Bella’s constant harping on about how perfect Edward was. I don’t know, he was a little too fawning or over the top with his worshipping of Achilles and I also struggled to see what Achilles saw in Patroclus. The relationship just felt off kilter slightly and very much surface based. I suppose I wanted something a little bit more meaningful than simple attraction and , as I said, I really couldn’t see why Achilles chose Patroclus because at the earlier stages of the book he had few redeeming qualities really? And Achilles himself – he clearly doesn’t always make good choices and also feels no reason to be either kind to others or to explain his actions. He definitely comes across as arrogant – but I think that was the intention of the author – and anyway, look at his mother and it’s not really that difficult to see where he gets his disdain from!!. That being said I do think Patroclus redeemed himself at the end by becoming the voice of reason in the face of Achilles’ increasingly erratic behaviour.
In spite of my criticisms (which probably look worse than they really were ) in terms of Patroclus I did enjoy this. Maybe it would be different for those readers who have studied the Iliad, maybe this wouldn’t seem as good or they’d be more likely to unfavourably compare the two. For me, it was my first real step into reading a novel of this sort. I enjoyed the easy acceptance of the relationship. I liked the way that the Gods were not only believed in and worshipped and revered but also walked easily amongst humans and played such a big part in all the comings and goings. Very entertaining, I would certainly recommend it and wouldn’t hesitate to pick up more by this author.
I’m submitting this for the Once Upon a Time event I’m taking part in being hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings under the title of myths.
I couldn’t resist. Check out the different covers – really different – any preference?
A big shout out to the lovely hubby!
Okay, this is completely unrelated to my typical type of blogging and frankly a bit random. Basically, the better half noticed that my ‘about me’ section doesn’t make any mention of him – even though I mention the kids – and even the dog! So, feeling rather ashamed of myself and a little bit bashful, although in my defence when I wrote that I had only just started blogging, I was new to it, I didn’t know what to put there and, well, enough with the excuses. Therefore this post is all about my lovely husband Paul. This isn’t a Top Ten Tuesday but I’ve decided to give 10 bullets (basically because I’m a bit OCD about lists!):
- He puts up with my reading and book obsessed mania – and only grimaces occasionally at my stacks – you have to remember he’s a gamer not a blogger!
- He’s the reason I even got into blogging. He created my blog and even my Twitter account which I swore I would probably never use! (He may possibly regret this now as I do spend a lot of time either behind a book or behind a laptop screen!)
- It’s great having your own IT on constant tap.
- I read in bed until the early hours with the lamp on and he just falls asleep – which I probably wouldn’t be able to do – and doesn’t complain (much).
- He’s much more driven than I am – in fact in some respects we’re chalk and cheese because I would just be a lazy bum, sat on the settee reading all day (which does sound a little bit perfect) but he constantly drags me all over the place on breaks and holidays which are always amazing.
- He has a much better sense of humour than me – I’m a bit of a grouch until at least 11.00 am in the morning, I need a good 8 hours sleep (and two or three cups of coffee).
- Speaking of coffee, he always makes my first cup of coffee on Saturday and Sunday.
- Being into IT and games he keeps me uptodate with everything – I’m pretty certain I would be writing on a slate if it wasn’t for his digital obsession.
- He’s the family’s ‘on tap’ taxi!
- He’s great and I love him!!!!
That was really quite good fun – now perhaps you can tell me all about your partner/soulmate/love of your life or best friend and inspiration.
The Language of Dying by Sarah Pinborough
I read this probably just over a week ago but couldn’t begin to write a review for it. In fact even now I think this will be difficult.
This will be a short review – not as a reflection of the way I felt about the book – but simply because I’m struggling for once to put my feelings into words.
This is basically a narrative from a young woman, a sort of letter to her own father who she has been looking after during his illness. Her father is dying of cancer and the narrator over the space of a few days, with her siblings joining her and through a number of flashbacks tells a short story of life and death. It’s a story of family, letting go and ultimately escaping and breaking free – probably of your own inner demons.
This isn’t an easy book to read. It’s dark and bleak without doubt. A number of us will have experienced the death of a loved one and the writing in this book is so powerful it will recall those moments vividly. The portrayal of the family and the petty rivalries, jealousies and allegiances are perfectly defined and it really is a book that makes you sit back and reflect on past experiences. Basically, death, far from bringing people closer together quite often has the opposite effect and sometimes brings out the worst in people.
I think that perhaps the most significant compliment I can pay this book is that I came away from it thinking it must be true in parts – that it felt like a book that was almost cathartic for the author – that’s literally how believable the writing and emotions are! I don’t believe that this is really the case of course but it really had me believing that as I was reading.
This is a book that may make you feel raw – but it’s still a book that I would recommend- just maybe choose your moment before picking it up.
Your mission… Operation Fourth Story
My review today is for Apex Magazine and is part of Operation Fourth Story (details can be found over at the Little Red Reviewer). Firstly, I will mention that I don’t tend to read a lot of short stories and in fact hardly ever read magazines – I don’t know whether I should feel ashamed of myself or not! You tell me. Anyway, I was given the opportunity to read the Book of Apex Vol 4 recently and I must say that some of the stories in there were pretty amazing – in fact I still have thoughts revolving around my bonce about some of them. It made me realise that I’m definitely missing some incredibly good stories. So, today I’m looking at Issue No.57 of Apex. I confess I couldn’t resist this issue due to the cover. I’m a sucker for good artwork and I love this one – I want to know about the girl in the picture. Somebody write her story please.
Moving to the content.
The magazine starts with an introduction by the editor in chief which gives a brief outline of what to expect. With this particular edition the stories and content revolve around post apocalyptic type stories focusing on the theme of family. I particularly enjoyed the first two stories – Antumbra by Lucy A Snyder and Maria and the Pilgrim by Rich Larson. As pointed out in the introduction both of these stories are about sisters, both very different, both quite startling (and where Antumbra is concerned – shocking) and both of them made me want more. And that’s the main rub for me and short stories – when I find one I like, well, I just want more. I’m a bit greedy like that. Come on though – if you read these two stories you’ll want to know what happens next – in fact you’ll pretty much want to know what happened first.
However, the main eye opener for me reading issue No.57 was reading the article written by Wen Spencer entitled ‘So How Does it End’. I never actually read non fiction. Not really, well, apart from newspapers and instructions on how to assemble pieces of furniture! And, I really enjoyed this. I don’t know whether it’s because a lot of the examples written about felt very pertinent to me in that they seemed to be about things I’ve recently read about or feel strongly over but this article felt like it was actually written for me – like personally written to me! This article dissects the human fascination with the end of the world. I recently read The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris which is a retelling from a different aspect of Norse mythology leading to Ragnarok – and the end of the world – mentioned here! I also read The Song of Achilles about the downfall of Troy by Madeline Miller – this piece talks about the original story the Iliad. It moves on to Richard Matheson’s I am Legend – a book that I just can’t say enough good things about and most of my thoughts are written so much more eloquently in this piece than I could ever hope to achieve. Really, Wen Spencer, it’s like you’ve been inside my brain! Actually that’s a bit creepy – and actually it could make the beginnings of a story that would be perfect for Apex!
Anyway, this is definitely a unique review for me as I’ve never written anything about a magazine before and I confess I didn’t really know how to start or, for that matter, exactly what I would say. I enjoyed this. It was an eye opener. It made me think that I shouldn’t make judgements about things without trying them and it made me think I could probably introduce a bit more non fiction into my reading which believe me I didn’t expect (I generally take my reading with a liberal dose of fantasy). I think this is probably the real beauty of a magazine. Maybe one of the stories won’t be for you or maybe the essay won’t capture your imagination – but there’s a choice and one of them might just surprise you like it did me!
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson – readalong week 2
9 April 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Brandon Sanderson, Readalong week 2, Words of Radiance
Today is week two of a 10 week readalong of Brandon Sanderson’s Words of Radiance arranged jointly by Dab of Darkness and Stainless Steel Droppings. This book is already excellent – if you’re not joining in you might want to think about it!! Alternatively, if you’ve already read this and just want to jump in with comments then that would be wonderful too. (The schedule is here). This week’s questions have come to us from Lisa at Over The Effing Rainbow so, without further ado: (Oh, fyi – spoilers below, they’re like spren, if you read this they will pop up all over the place – spoilerspren!)
1. We learn a little more about Syl and her connection to Kaladin. There are more spren out there, ‘trying…to reclaim what was lost”. Yet Syl was forbidden to come and chose to do it anyway. What do you make of this new information?
I think the spren naturally want to save people from whatever is coming. It sort of stands to reason in one respect. Without people the spren would cease to exist wouldn’t they? Well, maybe not cease to exist but it seems that there has to be some sort of conscious thought or action in order for them to appear. Plus, the ones that have attached themselves to humans seem to have a vested interest in helping them.
2. Chapter 10 is brief, yet intriguing – and kind of creepy! It looks like Shallan was responsible for her mother’s death, among others, when she was young. What are your thoughts on this scene?
I’m enjoying finding out more about Shallan to be honest and I like the way that Sanderson slowly reveals these snippets of information. I’m not totally convinced about Shallan’s involvement. Part of me thinks it clearly looks like she was involved but then I have this fascination to the ‘lying’ or perhaps more kindly, ‘being selective with the truth’, element to her character. I suppose there’s a few scenarios – at least – was Shallan a witness to something horrible and lied to cover up the fact that she’d seen anything? Did she imply that she was involved – and was that truth or not? Or did she actually just murder her mother (and others). Partly I don’t want to believe that she would be capable of that. I didn’t initially like Shallan – simply because she intended to steal from Jasnah, but whether or not I think that was misguided she was doing this for what she believed to be the right reasons. I don’t think she’s a malicious character at all but she’s clearly intelligent and capable of quick thinking so maybe she said what she needed at the time in order to protect herself.
3. Highlord Amaram is back, and still has Kaladin’s Shardblade. He also seems to be close friends with Dalinar. Do you think Kaladin will tell Dalinar what happened between them? If so, what do you think might happen?
This is a very tricky situation and could certainly lead to a revelation about his hidden strengths – which is exactly what Kaladin fears. Plus this is coming at a time when he already doubts himself and still thinks everything will still be taken from him. Obviously they’re going to meet up eventually given Kaladin’s new role and Amaram will undoubtedly recognise Kaladin. The fact that there is only Kaladin still alive will mean this is going to test Dalinar’s faith in him. I really can’t think what will happen with this one! Total wimp out!!
We get an Interlude with one of the Parshendi – the Shardbearer who fought Dalinar, a woman called Eshonai. We finally get a real look at the Parshendi and learn more about what they’re doing on the Shattered Plains. What are your thoughts on this? We also learn that Eshonai wants to speak with Dalinar and sue for peace. Do you think that’s likely to happen?
I thought it was brilliant getting the POV of the Parshendi. They seem to fear whatever trouble is coming as much as everyone else. I was totally gobsmacked about their very casual confirmation about Gavilar’s death. I genuinely didn’t see that one coming! Sanderson does it again – just when you think you’re starting to get to grips with what’s going on he throws a blinder and totally knocks you off. It was also kind of sad that they’re becoming so depleted. I don’t know, it made me see it from the other side I suppose. All along the Parshendi have been the enemy in the story – and maybe they are – but if that’s the case they seem to have forgotten just as much as everyone else over the years. Reading this Interlude made them seem, well, like everyone else – I can’t just mindlessly dislike them now! Yes they killed Gavilar – and I’m racking my brains to think of what his scheme was and how it relates to uniting everyone. I kind of wondered if Gavilar was having the same visions as Dalinar is now having and maybe he thought he had to unite the Parshendi. Anyway, time will tell. I think if anyone would be likely to listen to the Parshendi it would be Dalinar. He did love his brother and I think it would need some sort of explanation – not that that makes everything hunky dory, but, maybe the two sides do need to team up to face whatever is coming?
Adolin’s first duel doesn’t exactly go as anyone expected… What did you make of how it was won? Do you think it will force people to take Adolin, and by extension Dalinar, more seriously?
It will be interesting to see what Dalinar makes of Adolin’s tactics – what with his codes, etc. I can’t help applauding Adolin to be honest. They’re in desperate times, the clock is ticking and the Alethi highprinces are a bit of a joke really! Something needs to shake them out of their reverie – whether that will be it remains to be seen but Adolin’s tactics certainly caught their attention. He won’t get away with that a second time as there will be no element of surprise. And, yes, I think it will make people sit up and take notice.
Such a lot happened this week! Shallan and her ‘is she or isn’t she in a very tricky situation?? It was interesting to read Adolin’s thoughts – he seems to be looking forward to meeting her.
Also the chapter with the shoemaker – not sure of the relevance of that particular chapter just yet – very intrigued to find out who it was who killed the shoemaker at the end.
I was also interested in the lullaby that Shallan’s father was humming to her after the murder chapter! ‘Now go to sleep in chasms deep, with darkness all around you. Though rock and dread may be your bed, so sleep my baby dear. Now comes the story, but you’ll be warm, the wind will rock your basket. The crystals fine will glow sublime, so sleep my baby dear.’ What on earth does that all mean. Yes, I don’t know – but ‘a problem shared’ and all that!!
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