So once again, it's been a while since I posted anything here but I'm going to try and write updates on my reading more regularly from now on.


I've read 30 books this year up to now partly because of the enforced lockdown resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic which has disrupted the lives of everyone around the world. I'm currently on furlough from work and have spent a lot more time walking, doing jigsaw puzzles and reading which is why I'm already halfway to my target of 60 books this year.

As always the bulk of my reading is the crime / thriller genre and I have enjoyed a number of good solid reads but I've branched out a bit with two books which explore the life of Greek hero, Achilles, from two quite different angles:

Feb 9th Pat Barker: The Silence of the Girls
Written from the perspective of Briseis, Achilles' prize after the sacking of her city during the siege of Troy, this is a compelling story of how women are treated in war. Despite losing everything including her husband and four brothers at the hands of the Greeks, Briseis accepts her fate, comes to understand her captor and develops an affection for his close friend Patrochlus who is represented as both courageous in battle and kind to the people who come under his protection. Evocative prose and and a well-paced storyline punctuated with significant moments of tension and high drama make this a great read.

March 28th Madeleine Miller: The Song of Achilles
The story of Achilles from boy to man to hero told, from the point of view of his constant companion, Patroclus, with tenderness, with frustration, sometimes with anger but always with love. From the moment of their first meeting the narrator is drawn to charismatic youth and they become inseparable, living together, learning together and finally going off to war together. Whilst there are moments of high drama and the relationship between the two young men is explored in depth, this reworking of the well known legend is a bit disappointing, perhaps because Patroclus is defined almost entirely by this relationship at the expense of other aspects of his life which are touched on but not developed.

I much preferred The Silence of the Girls, not least because of the representation of Patrochlus but mainly because it had richer development of plot and characters - this is up there among the best books I've read (or listened to)

For some other good reads worthy of comment, including the Joy Ellis Jackman and Evans series, watch this space - back soon.