˗ˏˋ OPEN BOOK CLUB ´ˎ˗ : Song of Achilles (Ch 1-6 Discussion Thread) (Patreon)

WELCOME 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!)