(no subject)

[erastes]

The Charioteer.

I wish that I had someone in my life who I could sit down and talk to about this book, face to face, I don't know anyone in real life who's rad it.

It had such a profound impact on me and is truly one of those books that I’m sure will remain with me forever. I’d read a couple of her Greek books, but while I appreciated them for the narrative and writing and historical immersiveness, I didn’t get punched in the gut like I did with this.

I don’t know why this is – perhaps it’s because nothing much happens in it, that it’s so internalised, that there are so many themes and concerns. Laurie is such the worrier, and his concerns are as valid now as they were 60 years ago.

I just don’t know if I “got” it, if the message that I took away – that Laurie needed to accept his whole self for what it was, and shouldn’t hide it away in a platonic love affair – and that protecting Andrew was wrong – if that was the message that was there. The Andrew and Laurie kiss confused me, as surely then Andrew would have realised what he was himself? I accept he was a little innocent, but is anyone as innocent as that?

I’d really be grateful if you who have read it could share what you read into it, as I feel a little dim, the language was at times too intelligent for a bear of little brain and I need to read it again. And again. And again.