dragonbornsandwaffles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Outing, Self harm, Gaslighting, War, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Transphobia
cozybec's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I feel like, after a decade past it's release, there are a lot of things that have already been said about The Song of Achilles, a majority of which boil down to naming this book a classic, heralding it as one of the best retellings, and giving it major props as a novel with queer representation - and to all that I say... I guess?
My biggest issues with this novel was the fact it's an adult fantasy that I've seen for years mismarketed as something for teens. Which, while the main characters are young - a majority of this book takes place during the preteens and teens of Patroclus and Achilles - it made me so vastly uncomfortable to have pages and pages (or hours, since I listened to the audiobook) devoted to the grown Patroclus reflecting on his sexual past with Achilles and mentioning his feet every chance he got. (His feet are an overarching mention and callback to the original myth of Achilles, but it's very heavy-handed.) Ultimately, this is an adult piece of fiction that contains a lot more than just a tragic love story between two fallen princes entangled with fate.
Yes, from a technical standpoint, this is a beautiful piece of work. It made me feel a lot of things, and though I didn't cry, the ending three chapters were truly some of the best literature I've listened to in a long time - but, I just feel like it fluttered to the floor for me, like a dropped sheet of paper - it's just kind of there. My favorite parts were few and far in between, the moments with Chiron shone as some of my favorites, but then were quickly dashed by how annoyed I got with Achilles' and his relationship with Thetis. Unfortunately, that annoyance only continued to grow as I really, deeply loved Miller's description of war once Troy was finally breached as a plot point - but was always annoyed when Achilles' unflinching love for his goddess mother reappeared.
I don't know how to rate this. I'm giving it a three because of that. The ending was beautiful, especially the ending line, and I particularly enjoyed the way the ending narration is set up. It was an unexpected surprise, but one that can't save this book for me.
Content warnings: war, death, grief are present throughout. Rape and coercion are a huge plot point, beginning around chapter twelve/thirteen (with an uncomfortable scene, implications, then on page that I skipped) and then carry throughout the entirety of the Troy chapters which feature mistreatment of women heavily. I would urge readers to tread lightly and remember this is an adult fantasy, featuring multiple adult scenes. Separately, I will add that there are sex scenes, some of them between underage Patroclus and Achilles, some of them not, varying in their degree of description.
Graphic: Grief, Rape, Death, War, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, Slavery, Physical abuse, Outing, Misogyny, Child abuse, Bullying, Injury/injury detail, Homophobia, Child death, Blood, and Sexism
brookey8888's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Violence, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Gore, Homophobia, Transphobia, War, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment
jopriestleyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: War, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Violence, and Death
backyardroses's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
sacredgayometry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Spoiler
for example, the scene in which Patroclus is killed was infuriating to read, as it seemed so out of character for him to doSpoiler
I would recommend that you read it once, but for me once is enough.Graphic: Blood, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Death, War, Kidnapping, Violence, Slavery, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy, Injury/injury detail, Trafficking, Sexism, Infidelity, Rape, Medical content, Homophobia, and Sexual violence
Minor: Sexual content, Transphobia, Classism, Animal death, Bullying, Alcohol, and Abandonment
Spoiler
there is a scene in which Patroclus is “seduced” by a woman that feels more like coercion. There is definitely death and grief in heavy amounts.Spoiler
entityj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, War, Blood, Injury/injury detail, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, Outing, and Sexual content
Minor: Torture and Transphobia
rachelfek's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Death
Minor: Transphobia
onefineelephant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Colonisation, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Violence, Child death, Injury/injury detail, War, Death, Medical content, Misogyny, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Pedophilia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Outing, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
ghostboi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I definitely started to enjoyed it more in the last third; was constantly on edge about whether or not I would have to read about detailed sexual assault instances. Luckily that wasn't the case, it does get mentioned a fair amount though.
I understand it's based on historical figures, I guess it just wasn't for me.
The ending was really soul wrenching and I shed a tear or two.
I'm glad I powered through and have gotten to experience the ending of this book.
Graphic: Transphobia and Sexism