I've completed through book 18 and am waiting til Monday or Tuesday to finish the rest, taking the time now to work on other books. It's getting really good now! Books 17/18 are my favourite so far I think. Achilleus' meltdown at finding out Patroklos has died, so sad! For such an old book that spends so much time on random killings and immortal intrigue, I was surprised to find a scene so emotional, but I guess it's because Achilleus takes it so hard. And then when Thetis and the others of the sea come to join him in mourning the vision of them walking out of the sea crying is sad and beautiful.
Separately, I really love the directness of everyone. This culture is ripe for comedy. They get so offended so easily yet at other times people can hurl insults and they don't bat an eyelash. And they love to brag!
For now, I'll just quote my favourite line in the entire book so far. It caught me so off guard in its directness that I chuckled all day and still do thinking about it. It's when Priam is watching the battle on the field. Priam doesn't recognise who a particular Achaian is, so he calls Helen over and asks her who it is and she responds:
Quote:
Always to me, beloved father, you are feared and respected;
and I wish bitter death had been what I wanted, when I came hither
following your son, forsaking my chamber, my kinsmen,
my grown child, and the loveliness of girls my own age.
It did not happen that way: and now I am worn with weeping.
This now I will tell you in answer to the question you asked me.
That man is Atreus' son Agamemnon, widely powerful,
at the same time a good king and a strong spearfighter,
once my kinsman, slut that I am. Did this ever happen?
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Slut that she is! She just cuts right to the chase in her self-loathing, huh?