The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Winner of the Orange Prize for fiction in 2012.
I listened to the audiobook read by Frazer Douglas. It is set during the Greek Heroic Age, an adaptation of Homer’s Illiad. I learned a lot about Greek mythology but I found it gory. Pride, greed and egotism are explored through war and exploitation. If it hadn’t been on the list with my book club I would not have finished it. I found it challenging to believe the ending where Patroclus narrates from the dead.
Married Love by Tessa Hadley, is a book of short stories with lively unique characters and unusual plots. We the Animals by Justin Torres is a challenging yet totally engaging novel about 3 brothers coming of age. Thanks to Celia Meade for the recommendation. A Swim in the Pond in the Rain by George Saunders, if you want some guidance and expertise on how to improve your writing. Thanks to Sandi Johnson for the recommendation.
Now I’m reading poetry: Phyllis Webb, Neruda, Lorca, Patrick Lane, Lorna Crozier and others while preparing to facilitate my workshop on Aug 21.
“Reserved books. Reserved land. Reserved Flight./And still property is theft.” P.Webb, Frivolities