Monday, June 21, 2010

Troy

I am going to leave this post up all summer so that anyone reading Troy or anyone who has read the book will be able to share ideas and ask questions back and forth. Remember, my advice BEFORE reading the novel is to do some pre-reading on Greek mythology. Learn a little bit about the gods and goddesses and how they "play" with the mortal world. Next, do a little research on the Trojan War, you don't need to read the Iliad or anything crazy, but do some google searches and wikipedia searches on the Trojan War and its big players. Doing this prepwork will make the story of Troy more understandable and ultimately more enjoyable.

6 comments:

DanaKringel said...

I know I'm not the only nutjob who has started reading this excellent book, so I was wondering if anyone approved of what Aphrodite did to Xanthe, Marpessa and Alastor. Do you think it was a good thing for the story's plotline, or just a useless twist? I think the book should have stayed more focused on either this little love triangle or on hector's family and the war troubles... So I think it's a useless twist. Though I do like the drama that the gods and godesses stir up sometimes.

SHorvath said...

Gods in ancient Greece were much like spoiled kids...they expected everyone to love them best and would start trouble and conflict just to amuse themselves. As far as I am concerned though, Alastor is a very hate-able character so I don't feel bad for him.

DanaKringel said...

Wow, I'm sorry I just have to say it, that was a great comparison.

Rachel said...

I finished it a couple days ago, and I totally hate Alastor. The gods annoy me a lot because I hate it when there is drama. They tell some poor soul about what will happen, and then make them forget! What is the point of telling when they will never remember? The gods annoy me so much; they are so childish!!!

KatherineH said...

I'm posting on the blog now, and Dana you'd better see it! I'm reading Troy and am halfway through, and is it weird that I love it? It is such a good book! I've no idea why everyone is dragging their feet in getting around to reading it, I think it's fantastic! Just because you are forced by the school system to read a book doesn't mean the book isn't good! And I dare someone to disagree, I'm missing being all clever and sarcastic and outsmarting my classmates...*sigh*...

KatherineH said...

Oh, and Dana it's not a useless twist, its part of the story. "All's fair in love and war" and all that. I also agree with Horvath; the Gods were just like humans but with the power to control mortals. They weren't very Godlike at all. They felt envy, hatred and love. Aphrodite was sick of war and decided to let love have a role, too. She wanted some drama and created the heartbreaks, let love rule some peoples' lives instead of the war.
P.S. Horvath, could you please respond to the questions about my poetry I emailed? Thanks.