The Readers discussion

I will have to see if I can get this read by then! Luckily my library has a copy available. I really look forward listening to your mom's input. I really loved your three generations of readers post.

I haven't read it yet, just put the 'real' book on hold ;) at the library although not sure when I will get to it as I have a few books already lined up for other reads this month. However, I would love to know her background in writing this story. I think I remember hearing she has an education in the classics? Not sure, but I'd love to know what provided her with the knowledge, or research I guess, to write this story.

I'm also very interested in hearing what your mom has to say on this considering she has a background in the classic stories.

Looking forward to our new format! Thanks guys.

My classics knowledge is very sketchy. I'd be interested to know how true Madeline Miller has been to the Achilles story as generally understood? Perhaps Simon's mum can point out where, if at all, The Song of Achilles has diverted from the existing myth, or signficantly enhanced features of the tale that may previously have been down-played.

It's been such a long time since I read The Iliad. Do I need to reread that first?

Melissa wrote: "It's been such a long time since I read The Iliad. Do I need to reread that first?"

I don't think so. One of the strengths of the book is that it neither relies on a prior knowledge of Greek mythology, nor patronises those who come to it without such knowledge.

Simon wrote: "... Me and Michael from Books on the Nightstand might be doing something together Iliad based this autumn!"

For the sake of your nearest and dearest, I hope it does not involve being away from home for more than a decade. Or am I getting confused with the Odyssey?

Ooh, as this book dropped through my postbox yesterday I can finally join you for a book discussion! I'll get started soon so I can come up with some insightful questions :-)

I read The Song of Achilles for Booktopia VT 2012, which we were lucky enough to have Madeline attend (for sessions and for breakfast!). It was my favourite book of the retreat and I have NO background in Greek classics. I'm sure such knowledge would add to the experience, but is not required in the least.

I would like to know what Madeline thinks of having a fiction award specifically for women authors, since she won the last Orange prize. I think it has excelled at giving publicity to less-than-mainstream writers and have discovered some excellent books on the lists of nominees and winners. Does anyone know if it is going to continue?

I absolutely loved this book! The language is beautiful and the story is touching, even though I knew more or less how it would end. Also, I don't have a classics background, so I don't think other readers need to worry about that.

What I would like to know, from Madeline Miller and Simon's mom, is what translation of the Illiad they would recommend to those of us who may now be inspired to go back and read the original. I'd also like to know if there are other novelizations of classical texts that they would recommend. Having read this, I'm ready to go on a classics binge!

Oh, and I'd also like to know what Madeline is working on next?

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to this episode.

I can' t wait to hear this episode as The Song of Achilles is one of my favorite books all year. I'd be interested to learn how Madeline Miller and your mum became so interested in the classics? Were they inspired by a teacher, parent or another adult? Or did they find them on their own? I have such a negative reaction to the thought of reading them, but if you do a read-a-long with Michael Kindness and open it up to the listeners, I may be inspired to join you!

Gosh, what happened to you?? Are you alright?!! I hope it's nothing serious given you're online again!

I wish I had some original questions for the lovely Madeline, but I think I asked her everything already at Booktopia in Vermont. She is truly the most unassuming and intelligent writer I've had the pleasure of meeting.
You could ask her how she's managed to stay so grounded, level-headed and utterly charming without all the attention and success going to her head? :-)
Also, I'd like to know if she's heading to the land of Achilles and Patroclus on her honeymoon in October?!

Am I a nosey parker, or what?! :-)

I hope you're okay Simon. I do have a question for Miller now that I've read most of the book:

For a book that is inevitably headed to war, you have a hero/narrator who is decidedly not a warrior. Why present Patroclus in this way?

Also, she hinted in a radio interview that she might write a book set in the world of The Odyssey next. I'd love that to be true! Any further hints on that front?

Oh, and I totally want to read The Iliad now, so I hope Simon that you and Michael go ahead with whatever readalong plan you have been forming!

The podcast was supposed to go up Friday but it's not showing up on iTunes. I am missing something :(

I'm looking forward to the podcast too. I read the book and really thought it was fantastic. Now I am really looking forward to hearing Miller speak about it and your mom's take on the book. :)

Can't wait to see which books you guys have in store for us these upcoming months!

Simon - I'm glad you are ok and sorry Granny is doing poorly :( I was just so excited I'd finished a Readers book club book *before* the podcast date that I got antsy on Friday. Keep well!

awesome! glad you're better, Simon. looking forward to listening to the chat. :)

Can we take guesses for October / November choices?
With Simon almost wetting himself in excitement, clearly one of them has to be "The Age of Miracles", and could the other author be Jeannette WInterson? Wow - what a scoop if it is!!

Don't keep us in suspense too long! :-)

Kats wrote: "Can we take guesses for October / November choices?
With Simon almost wetting himself in excitement, clearly one of them has to be "The Age of Miracles", and could the other author be Jeannette WI..."

I'm guessing the same! very exciting! :)

I would put money on one of the books being The Age of Miracles as well!

Ruthiella wrote: "I would put money on one of the books being The Age of Miracles as well!"

Me too! :-))

Simon wrote: "Ooooh its not The Age of Miracles... yet, I would love it to be but Gav still isn't convinced.

I will be putting up the next choice in mere minutes."

mere minutes, eh?! We need to get you a Swiss watch. LOL
3 hours and 54 minutes later, I'm still holding my breath!!

Me too...

Me three!!!!

yay!! definitely excited to read Diving Belles & looking forward to reading a Susan Hill book since I'm not familiar with her work either.

i have to say, it's been so great to discover authors i probably wouldn't have had i not started listening to the podcast. so, thank you, Simon & Gavin, for contributing to my ever-growing, borderline out of control, list of books i want to read! haha! i mean that in the best possible way, of course.

Susan Hill?!?! Wow! :D

Tasha stole my comment :-) But seriously, that's hugely exciting. Now, the next question is: which of her books will it be? The Woman in Black and I'm the King of the Castle are both verging on modern classic territory but she's got a lot of other work that it could be interesting to discuss...

I can't wait to hear which book is chosen. I have already read TWiB so hopefully a different one...

What a a FANTASTIC podcast with Miller, you both and your mom discussing this book! It was just great! I loved hearing Madeline Miller's discussion of the book, it made my experience of this book and the story even richer. The discussions you all had, particularly with your mom, Simon, were fun to listen to. I loved hearing your mom's take on the things that worked for her and the things that didn't work. I don't think she was too harsh at all. It gave a great perspective from someone well-versed in the field and also gave some food for thought about the writing.

I loved the book, gave it 5 stars, and am ready to read more about this topic. I have added and to my tbr.

Thanks for such an awesome episode and I really look forward to the next one with .

i finished The Song of Achilles: A Novel in time for the podcast. i am still listening to it, but i have heard the portion with madeline miller.

the questions asked were great. i wish i had finished beforehand, so i could have submitted one myself.

awesome podcast.

I read Song of Achilles and liked it, but I loved, loved, loved this podcast-- all three segments were really interesting and thought-provoking. I like the novel even better now. Looking forward to Diving Belles, which has been on my tbr for a while now. Thank you, thank you! Best wishes for good health to you both and to Granny Savidge as well.

Wonderful podcast! I haven't read the Iliad, so the comments by Simon's Mum were enlightening.

I really enjoyed reading Song of Achilles. It didn't feel like reading a historical novel sometimes feels, when you are constantly thinking "is this historically accurate and believable?". Instead I felt like I was inside Patroclus' head, looking at the world through his eyes.

Looking forward to Diving Belles as well.

Just listened the first half of the podcast. Thank you for asking Madeline Miller my questions! She, of course, answered them beautifully and eloquently. And how exciting that the rumour is true about her taking on Odysseus next! I loved the scenes with him in Song of Achilles, she was clearly having fun with him.

Just finished the audiobook and the podcast today while neglecting my 18 mth old...is it wrong to listen to audiobooks WHILE pushing your child on a swing?? Anyway, I loved that your Mom was critical of the book. . . I think it's much more interesting when the guests have issues with the book. I liked the book, didn't love it; 3.5 stars. Thought the second half was much better than the first half. . . but I DO have The Iliad read by Derek Jacobi (well, excerpts, but 9 hrs total time)ordered at the library. . . since Miller said to try listening to it. . . not sure I'm up for the 25 hr unabridged version quite yet. But yeah, great job on the podcast!

Simon, how come it didn't win the Green Carnation prize?

oh interesting! you have to be LGBT as the AUTHOR? So. . . can you be LGBT but write a book w/o any LGBT characters or do you have to be both to be considered for the prize? Are there people who take issue b/c she's writing about LGBT but she is straight? I think you shd do a podcast on the whole Carnation Prize Jury process, what it's like, etc. . . maybe you cd have a guest who's also on the jury too? It wd be interesting to learn more about prizes. . .