The legend of Achilles and Patroclus has been told countless times throughout the centuries. Where Madeline Miller’s retelling differs is in making it overtly a romance. The two men have been depicted as lovers since ancient times, but there’s been no version that quite makes it the focus like Miller’s novel. Told from the point-of-view of Patroclus, it’s an audacious and compelling novel that beautifully renders the world of the ancient Greeks.
|
Jeanette Winterson is best known for her debut novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, published in 1985. Since then she’d had a prolific career, publishing several other novels, a short story collection, a memoir, and a number of children’s books. Lighthousekeeping was her first novel after completing a ‘cycle’, in her own words, that began with Oranges and ended with The Power Book in 2000. It’s a beguiling and unique work, appropriate for beginning again.
After only three novels, Sally Rooney is one of the most popular authors working today. Two of her books (Normal People and Conversations with Friends) have been adapted for TV, and she’s won a number of literary awards. My gut instinct with popular books is to avoid them, for the same reason I avoid top 40 music and action blockbusters, but every so often something piques my curiosity and I decide to jump on the bandwagon. This was the case with Normal People, and for once, I’m glad I did.
|
Atticus Book ReviewsBook reviews and reading recommendations written by volunteers and friends of the shop! |
RSS Feed
