Last quarter of the Orange
Posted by: Kaite Stover
It was the last page for one of Britain’s most prestigious prizes for fiction written by women. Last month, Orange, the British telecommunications company, announced it would no longer fund the Orange Prize for Fiction. A new sponsor has not been announced.
Last week debut novelist Madeline Miller, considered a long shot among the six authors shortlisted for the prize, took home the trophy and the cheque for The Song of Achilles.
This lively paced historical fiction based on The Iliad will be a draw for book groups looking for a meaty novel that will attract male and female readers. Participants will enjoy discussing the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles and the tragic consequences that follow them on their journey to rescue Helen of Sparta during the siege of Troy. Here are other discussion topics and consider having a copy of the epic poem on hand for reference during conversation.
