As I pack my bag for a short visit to Northern Ireland tomorrow, I hesitate about only taking the kindle, having been caught out before on a 5 hour TGV train ride and a flat battery. But with the announcement that Madeline Miller has won the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction with her debut novel ‘The Song of Achilles’, my decision is made, it has been tempting me all day and I have picked it up a few times, willing it to share its secret.
So into the bag it goes.
While the international women’s writing prize will continue to be celebrated, this will be the last year that it is sponsored by the telecommunications company Orange, so we shall wait and see what name and new look next year’s prize will emerge with.
The shortlisted novels can be viewed here and my review of Ann Patchett’s ‘State of Wonder’.
So what can we expect to find within the covers of Madeline Miller’s ‘The Song of Achilles’? According to the blurb:
Greece in the age of Heroes.
Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to Phthia to live in the shadow of King Peleus and his strong, beautiful son, Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something far deeper — despite the displeasure of Achilles’s mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.
Inspiration indeed in this year of the Olympics!
Word by Word 
Now this looks interesting!! Love mythology! I’ve been contemplating reading the Odysee and The Illiad of Homer again. It’s been a long time.
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Oh no, more to add to my list! I’ve never read them.
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I loved it, and I hope that you will too.
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Wonderful, I know that if you loved it Fleur, I will for sure.
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Have a wonderful trip and a lovely read!
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Thanks, the plane trip may be the only chance for reading, this will be a nice distraction.
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Guess I’ll finally have to read this one too.
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A wander back in time… a wander on a trip! Have a fun time, and enjoy!
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I’ll be thinking of you! It should be a lovely, lovely time. Bon voyage!
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This sounds like a great read.
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I hope you have a good trip and that this book will keep you entertained.
Unfortunately, prize or no prize, this book doesn’t appeal to me at all. The cover doesn’t and the description doesn’t. Not one I’m likely to pick up unless you write a gushing review of it (and then only maybe). 🙂
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Wow – I always follow Orange Prize winners and love that there’s an award for women writers. But I had no idea it was named after a telecommunications company – I never even thought about why it had that name. Let’s hope it’s not the McDonald’s Award next year… Enjoy your trip!
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I’m equally tempted by Song Of Achilles. Read really good interview with Madeleine Miller about the book at Savidge Reads – it just sounds like one of those books you know you are going to enjoy! Not read the Ann Patchett either so will add that to my list. Enjoy Northern Ireland !
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Definitely sounds worth a read! Cheers for the heads up Claire! Enjoy Northern Ireland too… 🙂
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This looks good, Claire. I think I will have to pick it up. Enjoy your jaunt in Ireland. 🙂
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Can’t wait to hear what you think of it. The local bookstore has really been pushing it before it won the Orange. Looks interesting.
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Sounds interesting. have always liked Greek mythology and the story of Troy.
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I’m going to have to read this very very soon. I’m teaching ‘Troilus and Cressida’ at the moment and it would be great to get another perspective on the story.
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I look forward to reading your review, it certainly sounds a tempting read
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Actually, I’ve picked it up a couple of times myself. After reading Cleopatra I yearned for more, but wanted fiction. I agree about taking a real book along on a trip. I am always worried my battery will die before I have a chance to recharge.
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