˗ˏˋ OPEN BOOK CLUB ´ˎ˗ : Song of Achilles (Ch 1-6 Discussion Thread)
Added 2024-10-08 00:43:19 +0000 UTCWELCOME TO THE OPEN BOOK (BOOK) CLUB!
i am so so so excited to be officially kicking this club off with one of my favorite books and cannot WAIT to hear what you all think about it
as this is my first time running a book club, i ask for your patience while we figure out the format we like best together!! that being said, the format that we will try for this book will look something like this:
each week i will be posting a thread dedicated to a range of chapters to create a hub for our conversations! we also have the book club community chats (non-spoiler and spoiler) to continue our talks that fit all of our needs 🙂↕️
without further ado. . . . . .
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open book club (october)
Book: Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Greek Mythology , LGBT
Blurb: Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath.
They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.
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chapters 1-6 discussion thread:
i just finished chapter 6 and as yall know i've already read this book but UGH my heart is so happy to be back and reading this novel. DONT READ AHEAD IF YOU HAVENT FINISHED CH 1-6!!!!
ok first off, i am so enthralled by Madeline Miller's prose like i've already read this book yet i am immediately invested back into Patroclus' life. i was trying to think of how to eloquently explain what i like and the first thing that came to mind was this it almost feels like a song; there is a beat to her words and the pacing feels a grand composition to me. i guess that's the great thing about finding authors you like :')
i also ADORE how she subtly portrays the impact that the Gods have and the power / magic of the world. some quotes that i saved that i think do a wonderful job of setting the tone:
The presence of the other boys did not comfort me; our dead come for their vengeance regardless of witnesses (page 22).
When my eyes dragged closed again, he was waiting for me still, covered in blood, his face as pale as bone. Of course he was. No soul wished to be sent early to the endless gloom of our underworld. Exile might satisfy the anger of the living, but it did not appease the dead (page 22).
the impact of these quotes have me easing into this realm and understand what it is like to live as a human while there is so clearly a higher power at play
we also see this when it comes to Achilles personality! the Gods have greatly impacted how he acts and thinks; Achilles exudes a sureness that none of the other boys around him have. but like......... IF THE GODS CAME DOWN AND SHARED A PROPHECY ABOUT ME BEING THE BEST, I TOO, WOULD BE CONFIDENT LOL
on another note, i LOVE the contract between Petroclus and Achilles. Petroclus is uncertain, small, jealous, angry. SO human. and Achilles is strong, unwavering, and self-assured. that being said, i think Miller does a fantastic job at showcasing that they are, after all, just boys.
'There were figs in the kitchen. I saw them' he said.
We were only twelve, too young to brood.
'I bet I can eat more than you.'
'Race you!'
I laughed. We ran (page 54).
i've also noticed that i have an affinity for books that portray character development very well, specifically childhood to adulthood. i think reading of childhood just strikes me to the core and the themes around vulnerability that arise always locks me in if done well 🙂↕️
WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK OF THE FIRST 6 CHAPTERS?
i would love to hear your thoughts!
what do you think of Madeline Miller's writing style?
what do you think of Petroclus? what do you think of Achilles? what about their relationship thusfar?
did anything stand out to you? any passages that make your heart ache so far? :')
leave a comment and let's discuss 📖♡
(next week, i will post a thread for Ch. 7-12 if you want to read ahead and prepare!)
Comments
just managed to hop on! im so unfamiliar to this genre, and i usually read female lead books so thats a further unfamiliarity - so far im not fully drawn in but im keeping hope because the book has such good feedback, i think i might enjoy expanding my horizons and looking forward to the next chapters !
Pb
2024-11-04 06:51:39 +0000 UTCjust joined the patreon and book club today and i just caught up with the first six chapters, this is also my first read of the book so i am quite excited! growing up i loveddd greek mythology (the percy jackson series are my babies) i'm already really enjoying this. i love love the friendship patroclus and achilles have. excited to read more!!!
maiden
2024-10-19 20:42:56 +0000 UTCFinally had time to catch up to follow along with the book club! This is my first time reading this book and I am LOVING it so far. Right off the bat my heart ACHES whenever Patroclus’ adoration for Achilles is shown. “Who can be ashamed to lose to such beauty? It was enough to watch him win” that was such a beautiful, genuine, and raw way to show “as long as he’s happy, I’m happy” and the note that Patroclus himself was noticing how much he had changed to feel that way and I picked up a tone that even if he didn’t fully understand why, he accepted his feelings like “it’s Achilles… duh of course I feel this way” LIKE OMG MY HEART ITS SO KIND AND SOFT AND INNOCENT!!! Madeline’s way of painting the picture to really show and create the feelings during moments of adoration are so moving for me, i love it as a reader, it makes me feel like i’m watching a movie in my head.
Kayloox
2024-10-17 09:19:43 +0000 UTCFirst time reader here and a bit late in posting about it. For some who really struggles to pick up books, I am actually very glad that Madeline's writing style is super super easy to read. Based on my perspective, I like that Patroclus is jealous of Achilles living the life that he has always sought after, but also admires Achilles for being the ideal prince. Their relationship is cute so far. Just two boys being friends.
Kathy Wei
2024-10-17 08:31:06 +0000 UTCAs a first time reader but also someone who was OBSESSED with the Greek myths as a kid I love the subtle hints about Achillies fatal flaw (his heel) as they mention the great care for his feet and how he always practices battle alone. I normally choose to read books over audio books because if I'm not immediately interested I can tune out audio books until they're background noise. But I didn't own this book and I have little time to read with work so an audio book would be more convenient. Let me tell you if yall like audiobooks like at all this is a good one. You can hear the distaste when he talks about people and bebecause Madeline's writing style flows so smoothly I suddenly realize I'm like 5 chapters farther than I thought I was. Overall obsessed especially because of the detail she gives like the dark leather in the golden hair or his candlewood and pomegranate smell. Anyway I'm ranting so I'm excited to talk more and I love everyone else's opinions thank you so much quarterjade for putting this together I love your content and you were the first female streamer I ever really loved watching! Can't wait to hear more about the book from this community
Syd Buckley
2024-10-17 02:22:01 +0000 UTCIt's been a while since I've read a book like this and it's so easy to breeze through it! I usually read books heavy on fictional lore and have to understand magic systems but this is a breath of fresh air especially as Madeline's prose is so enthralling and beautiful. It feels like being hugged while reading this book 💕 The uncertainty of youth is also endearing to see as well as the contrast between Patroclus and Achilles! I was a fiend for greek mythology growing up and I feel like this book will be a gateway for me to read all the books that have come out in recent years relating to this and have had wonderful reviews! I wanted to say thank you Jodi because if it wasn't for this book club I would've delayed reading this further eventho it's been on my tbr list for so long 🎉
Ari 🍊
2024-10-10 10:31:12 +0000 UTCI have never read anything which describes things in a way that's both so descriptive and cryptic at the same time. I'm absolutely in love with this book and it's totally not what I would usually gravitate towards.
Alara
2024-10-10 07:33:00 +0000 UTCone of my favorite scenes is in chapter 2, when all the suitors are gathered to offer a gift to win helen’s favor. as a reader, we know how important this is - it’s a pivotal moment in history that we know will inevitably precede a grand war. but i love that we get to see it from the perspective of a young boy, who feels understandably uncomfortable and out of place amongst kings, legends of war, and men literally descended from god. to Patroclus it almost doesn’t feel real to be in their presence, let alone to be suddenly asked to partake in a blood oath. i love this contrast that madeline miller plays with, creating a moment that is both innocent, brief (Patroclus is relieved for it to be over, like an embarrassing moment from your childhood you want to forget) yet heavy with anticipation of the real adult consequences.
allyza~
2024-10-10 03:51:46 +0000 UTCiTotally agree && appreciate how she utilizes poetic language. it adds vivid coloür without ever feeling "complex for complexity-sake"
𝔻𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕟
2024-10-09 08:52:17 +0000 UTCthe way you worded all of this was so eloquent. i feel super similarly; i couldn't really remember the book except for the end and as a reread, everything has so much more weight
Open Book with QuarterJade
2024-10-09 07:12:19 +0000 UTCthis is actually a reread for me (except that i have terrible memory and i barely rmbr it besides the ending bye) but these chapters mean so much more now — i think by leaving the narrator unnamed, readers are more inclined to get to know a character without predisposing opinions. now we all know patroclus! these chapters easily show that miller intended to modernize the iliad and wrote this novel by choosing words that have a more cinematic effect with textures, setting, etc. she has us infer emotions instead of blatantly listing them every time — fleshing out characters in preparation for having readers understand why and how these characters make their decisions. i LOVE that it makes me FEEL more and think like okay i AM patroclus i am questioning my captivation and frustration about certain things and i am gonna eat this fig i am him “gods were known to be notoriously poor parents” i grew up reading percy jackson so i rmbr how negligent the gods were as parents, but TSOA introduces concepts and stories (ie story of thetis, patroclus’ father) that make the story so much more painful and raw? i think the imbalances of human and god, royalty and power, father and son, and the lack of presence of women are probably the more difficult things to read/notice in these chapters. the lyre and figs feel significant to the relationship btwn patroclus and achilles, like symbols for purity and innocence? interested to see if miller continues to allude to these through the story sry this is long but i haven’t read this in two yrs and i’m super excited to read it all over again and see what everyone else has to say
aligirl
2024-10-09 04:58:04 +0000 UTCI have to admit this novel has me entirely captivated as a first time reader, and it’s not just because the character’s or story are interesting. Miller’s use of descriptive dialogue, both tangible physical descriptions and articulating intangible feeling through metaphor have made the world feel rich and easy to imagine. I can smell Achilles’ “pomegranate and sandlewood” body oil, feel the “buttery” olive oil soap Patroclus uses, and hear the forest Chiron trains the boys in. I can see why the prose feels so … luscious. It is simple when it needs to be simple, yet vibrant and almost saturated at times — an overarching extended metaphor, I think, for Patroclus’ emotional state. So far I’m really enjoying it, and am having to keep myself from reading too far ahead!! Excited for the next bundle of chapters, it’s getting good!
Honestfictionist
2024-10-09 03:55:41 +0000 UTC
