Diversity in All Forms! discussion

Diversity topic for November

LGBTQ+

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I´ve had this book at home for quite a while, and am glad to finally read it with a group.

I liked it, but it wasn’t as literary as I had hoped.

I'm not a big fan of Greek mythology, but I like Madeline Miller. Her book Circe is one of my favorites, especially on audio. I enjoyed this book too, especially the earlier parts of the book. and when the boys were in training on an island together. I really like that she made Achilles gay. This is a wonderful gay love story, stuck within a war story. There is another book about this war from the women's point of view. It might be interesting to read them together. The Silence of the Girls

aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "I liked it, but it wasn’t as literary as I had hoped."

Hi April! Are you speaking of the writing (the prose)? Or how well she tied it in with the themes and stories within Greek Mythology? Some of the writing was beautiful, but I dislike the Trojan war story. Before I read this book, my knowledge of the Trojan war was spotty (a beautiful face, the Trojan Horse, and Achilles heel), and partly came from Monty Python. So I can't judge that aspect.

The Iliad encompasses everything Humanity - all the feels, basically. It is a blockbuster, and many people have to read it several times and have "lived an examined life" to fully grok it.

Plus, to read The Iliad it helps to know a little bit about how ancient Greek culture viewed heroes, which was not exactly like our culture sees heroes. Ironman's approach (probably closest to ancient Greek heroes in his self-promotion and personal aggrandizement) vs. Captain America's (selfless man totally dedicated to public service). I think the author got that in there about Achilles brilliantly.

I think The Song of Achilles took a microscopic look inside one small tent of the huge complexity of a big multi-tented and multi-ringed circus that is the Iliad.

The much smaller viewpoint of this book was an adjustment, a bit like switching to a conversation with a young teenager after talking to a group of adults..

also in LPE is the best book in the world.

Letters from an Expatriate in Europe is the wittiest travelog ever An eBook edition is also available

aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "The Iliad encompasses everything Humanity - all the feels, basically. It is a blockbuster, and many people have to read it several times and have "lived an examined life" to fully grok it.

Plus, ..."

Well apparently, I should read the original rather than just retellings!

NancyJ wrote: "Well apparently, I should read the original rather than just retellings!

: )

There are many translations! Each has its good and bad points, depending on the age of the translation (19th century vs. 21st) and whether it is more Greek sense than Americanized English. Depending on which one you read will somewhat affect your feelings about it. I accidentally got one translation for my Kindle, and bought another translation too. I was confused until I googled it and discovered the translation morass I unexpectedly stepped into, but it taught me how translations affect the effect, so-to-speak.

I’m really enjoying this book. The writing is lyrical and I like getting Patroclus viewpoint. The training on the mountain with Chiron is also one of my favorite parts. I love watching the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles develop.

It’s interesting to compare and contrast it to the Iliad. My Classics professor’s favorite translator was Lattimore. I’ve read his and Fitzgerald’s translations, they both have their pros and cons, like April said. I’ve heard good things about Caroline Alexander’s translation but haven’t read it yet. I’ve only read bits of Alexander Pope’s 19th century translation—the language is definitely 19th century.

I’ve always hated Agamemnon and this story just brings out more to hate about him.