by Nancy,
So many different versions of this story over time, I hope this modern take is entertaining for us and adds something new to this ancient tale.
A couple of questions to ponder while we read:
Firstly and most importantly, what do we think of this account?
To what extent does Achilles ultimate destiny shape his choices?
What parallels do we see between the characters and conflicts of this novel and today?
What pieces of Patroclus and Achilles story can be universalised?
I'm looking forward to this read I hope we enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie,
Our weather is cooling down here so I guess you are starting to thaw out and enjoying some springtime days. We had a lovely couple of days in Brisbane with Sam and Michelle, so good to be able to travel freely again.
How was your Easter?
I has high hopes for our novel this month and sadly I have to say I was a bit disappointed.Like you, I love the Greek myths and was fully expecting to love this retelling too.
I did enjoy the first half of the story as Achilles and Patroclus grew up and fell in love and their adventures with Chiron. I did however find their romance a little Mills and Boon esqe. I was often frustrated with Patroclus and his constant self criticism and ceding to Achilles will.
Achilles has never been a favourite character of mine. I find his privilege and hubris irksome.
By the time we arrived at the siege of Troy and all the other Kings joined in I found as I usually do with this myth, the testosterone was too thick and I have to admit I skipped and scanned ahead quite a bit after that.
There are many parallels to this story now and throughout history I feel it is why these myths have endured for so long, they never lose their relevance. The questionable traits of Pride, Power and Hubris seem front and centre of many military conflicts. Throughout history though, depending on the time frame different themes have been highlighted. Honour and Courage and Bravery could be ascribed to Patroclus. But even sweet Patroclus was not immune at the end and became crazed for glory.
I am going to read Madeline Millers other novel Circe to see if I like that better. I think I’ve mentioned before the Pat Barker series based on Brisesis, The Silence of the Girls and the Women of TroyI found these so much more enjoyable.
I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this novel. I found it tricky to comment on this particular account without constantly thinking of the original.
Hugs, Nancy
HI Nancy!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother’s Day to you! So happy to hear your visit with Sam and Michelle was enjoyable. I hope you had some time to relax in Brisbane. I’m sorry to hear about the additional flooding that has been going on around you. Things here have been busy as usual. Easter was quite but enjoyable. We don’t celebrate too wildly with Easter. And spring has finally arrived. I love how green everything is finally looking. We’ve had quite a bit of excitement from wild animals lately. We now have a raccoon and a fox who have been visiting our yard regularly. The kids and I love it. We sit in the window and watch until they’ve gone.
I read the Iliad a few years ago and being very interested in Greek mythology made me look forward to this novel. I found this to be a very interesting take on the dynamic between Patroclus and Achilles. While reading the Iliad, I didn’t understand why Achilles punished Hector so severely for Patroclus’s death. But from the view point that Ms. Miller paints, I could completely understand. Homer brushes so lightly over the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus that I would never have gone with the idea of them being lovers.
I vaguely remembered that Patroclus died at the end of the Iliad, but didn’t think about it until we got closer to the end. Then I began to wonder who was going to narrate the story if he was dead. How did you feel about his ghost narrating the remainder of the story? Did you hope like me that he somehow escaped his fate?
I hate how much pressure was placed on Achilles to be something “special” by the world and by his mother. I feel that Achilles’ pride and hubris were forced into him. And I can understand your frustrations with Patroclus. He only encouraged Achilles’ pridefulness. I can understand how Thetis doesn’t view Patroclus as a good partner to Achilles. Patroclus should have supported him but shouldn’t have been so subservient.
I think the character I hated most while reading was Agamemnon. Ms. Miller made him such a loathsome character. I almost couldn’t wait for him to get home so Clytemnestra could kill him. I read Aeschylus's Agamemnon in college and I think if I read it now, I’d have a totally different view.
IF you would like and haven’t started already, I am open to reading Ms. Miller’s Circe. I did enjoy her writing style and we could keep the Greek motif going. It is making me feel very nostalgic for our Greek trip. Maybe there is a bit less testosterone in Circe? I will have to check out those Pat Baker books you have mentioned too.
Much love,
Katie