i_am_tilde's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Death, Sexual violence, Blood, Violence, Rape, and War
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, Misogyny, Medical content, Trafficking, Torture, and Self harm
Minor: Animal death
irinalast's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Efficient writing, yet poetic storytelling.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, Homophobia, Violence, Murder, War, Blood, Grief, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Death
gabriella_'s review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Spoiler
“I thought, This is what Achilles will feel like when he is old. And then I remembered: he will never be old.”I have never read a love story convey so much closeness. Even the physical gap between their bodies must have been too much distance for them to bear.
The prose reads like poetry. The story was incredibly satisfying and kept my interest. I got teary-eyed a few times. This is a story where two characters dare to love in a world where marrying for love is an outlier.
Spoiler
Odysseus was the only other person who was truly in love in this book?Spoiler
“Patroclus, I have given enough to them. I will not give them this.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, Animal death, Pregnancy, Murder, Child death, Medical content, Torture, Xenophobia, Sexual content, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Injury/injury detail, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Death, Grief, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, War, Blood, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Outing, and Violence
_caitlin_doesnt_read_'s review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay. The ending of this book was incredibly touching, and i loved how the character dynamics changed throughout and you really felt like the characters were growing up, however, it took me AGES to get through all of this thing. It was iNCREDIBLY slow paced for the first like two thirds and then in the last portion of the book it suddenly went crazy fast and ten years passed in the space of a few chapters??? despite this, there is practically no plot during most of this book. I LOVED I THOUGH. the imagery throughout the book is incredible. I loved the relationship between Patroclus and Briseis and actually felt like (SPOILERS!!!) she just randomly died way too abruptly and she deserved way more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Murder, Death, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and War
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Body horror, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Incest, Medical content, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
myaphrodiite's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
this is such a beautiful book, once you start you never want to put it down. this book shows greek mythology you’ve rarely seen and a pure love story that will definitely leave you in tears (i needed tissues before i even finished this book).
this book shows that love is pure no matter what gender you are, where you come from, your background, your looks and even your skills. love is love and this story shows this to the reader. the love between an exile and a prince, forbidden by their stereotypes but welcome by their hearts.
the amount of passion and emotion in this writing is breathtaking, it is by far one of the most beautiful books i’ve ever read, although it shattered my heart i will love it forever. i would recommend for everyone to read this book as it is a piece of art.
this book shows that love is pure no matter what gender you are, where you come from, your background, your looks and even your skills. love is love and this story shows this to the reader. the love between an exile and a prince, forbidden by their stereotypes but welcome by their hearts.
the amount of passion and emotion in this writing is breathtaking, it is by far one of the most beautiful books i’ve ever read, although it shattered my heart i will love it forever. i would recommend for everyone to read this book as it is a piece of art.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Injury/injury detail, Child abuse, Murder, Rape, Self harm, and Slavery
Minor: Kidnapping, Torture, and Animal death
verafogel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
I loved this version of the famous story of Achilles but I have to say that my love was all for Patroclus in the end.
Though out the book there were a few philosophical questions that kept popping up like what's love and how do we love? And are all humans as important or the should the particulars ones that we hold specially dear go above the rest?
I think Achilles and Patroclus develop though the story in opposite direction in some way; Achilles goes from naive to incredibly proud and Patroclus goes from being a spoiled envious child with an abusive father to a loving and caring person - I means the man just couldn't stand by while his people died and was the only one that gave a second thought to Briseis at all.
Additionally, I felt Patroclus' love for Achilles was more pure and real in some way while Achilles, as he fully understood his position as a semi-good, maybe influenced by fame and glory loved Patroclus deeply but not quite catching the heart aching human live that Patroclus displayed.
Though out the book there were a few philosophical questions that kept popping up like what's love and how do we love? And are all humans as important or the should the particulars ones that we hold specially dear go above the rest?
Spoiler
I think Achilles and Patroclus develop though the story in opposite direction in some way; Achilles goes from naive to incredibly proud and Patroclus goes from being a spoiled envious child with an abusive father to a loving and caring person - I means the man just couldn't stand by while his people died and was the only one that gave a second thought to Briseis at all.
Additionally, I felt Patroclus' love for Achilles was more pure and real in some way while Achilles, as he fully understood his position as a semi-good, maybe influenced by fame and glory loved Patroclus deeply but not quite catching the heart aching human live that Patroclus displayed.
Spoiler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content
daringreader13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Violence, Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Genocide, Grief, Murder, Misogyny, Animal cruelty, Injury/injury detail, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, and War
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
cozybec's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
How do I rate a book that I hated so much at the beginning, but loved so much at the end?
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
eatmytoe404's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- 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
it was wonderful and i cant stop crying
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Alcohol, Slavery, Sexism, Classism, Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Cursing, Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, Outing, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Gore, Child abuse, Medical content, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
tsar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”
I've been putting off The Song of Achilles review for weeks because I have no idea what to say, honestly. It feels like a blank page every time I want to write it down, and I think the book hangover is strong with this one, so I will be making this review as brief as possible.
If any of us is familiar with the famous Homer's Iliad, then The Song of Achilles is the modern, reimagined adaptation of the Greek epic poem. The story is set during the Trojan War, recounting the subsequent quarrels between King Agamemnon and warrior hero Achilles during the ten-year siege of the city of Troy. While the dialectic poem is written from the outsider's view, the retelling novel by Madeline Miller sees the events through the eyes of Patroclus.
In retrospect, I have dived into a Miller novel before; Circe, her second book, was my first introduction to her writing style, so I have an idea of what kind of retelling she would offer in her debut novel. Miller establishes a distinctive manner in narration compared to her peers in the fantasy and mythology genre, especially regarding a reimagined myth. It is evident in both works that she has a penchant for adhering to the original source instead of simply treating it as a mere inspiration, transforming her stories into a dynamic bridge between fictionalized recount and a true story.
Its tumultuous dynamic in The Song of Achilles is credited to Miller's characterization of Patroclus as the protagonist in the novel. Patroclus is a sentimental narrator who spends the course of the tale attempting (and succeeding) in convincing the readers that his version of Achilles, from his adolescent age to the years of siege, is the authentic version of the story. Miller has no qualms in alluding to Patroclus' prominent adoration for Achilles, more often than not downplaying his own strength to magnify Achilles' power beyond the prophecy bestowed on the golden boy. In return, the notion of keeping his admiration afloat towards Achilles often renders Patroclus' own narrative to be inferior and seemingly disposable, despite the obvious hints and appreciation from his Greek peers, especially Achilles himself, that Patroclus is a pivotal key player in their journey and subsequent war as a confidant.
Much like any first-person point-of-view novel, the usage of the perspective transcends the narrative into a reading of a personal journal—it feels more honest and unfiltered as if the readers are participating in the story as the narrators' companions or the narrators themselves. However, if Circe serves as a semi-autobiographical piece that maintains neutrality in almost all chapters, The Song of Achilles presents a more arousing recount thanks to the sentimentality that Patroclus exudes in his story. The intimacy in the tone of the novel is hard to miss, so substantial to the point where the readers feel like they are intruding on Patroclus and Achilles' time together and disturbing their much-needed peace.
As a result, Miller succeeds in gauging the readers' reactions as they follow through with Patroclus and Achilles' story until its ending; we have experienced the emotions of happiness and joy in seeing them together, giddiness in watching them sneaking out to kiss and realize their intimacy, forlorn and frustration towards the unfairness of their situation and the harsh rejection that Thetis keeps demonstrating, and lastly, heartbreak towards their devastating fate. Seldom can a novel bring out so many emotions at once, particularly since its initial introduction, but Miller proves that her debut is one of those novels.
While the narrative is dripping in subjectiveness, the characters shown in the novel mostly stay true to the mythology that Miller pays homage to, such as Achilles' arrogance and aloofness as well as his apparent favoritism towards Patroclus. The kings' portrayals, including their horrendous habits in claiming anything as war prizes, are bluntly described without watering them down—neither a hero nor villain in Miller's point of view, just merely men filled with greediness and bruised ego. Even Thetis' incredulous vicious tendencies fit right with her status as a minor goddess with an extreme need to prove herself, seeing that her son was born out of non-consensual mating with prophecy looming on her baby.
Miller instead gives further elaboration on the characters' conclusions and deeper reasons that encapsulate the development of their personalities—an expansion akin to behind-the-scenes glimpses that go beyond the archetype myth. Brises, as one of the supporting characters provided with this treatment, is a highlight in the novel. Miller succeeds in illustrating her tenacity, even in the earliest introduction where Briseis was still dreading her fate as a potential comfort woman. Moreover, her striking friendship with Patroclus and Achilles helps her bloom as a character even more; she has the rare chance to be the only woman considered as the protagonists' dear companion and equal, and in return, allows her to learn about them and regard them as her dearest friends as well.
Perhaps, it is in the ending where we could see the narrative writing echoes the dialectic and rhythmic writing of an epic poem; Patroclus' lamentation of his death and the fate of Achilles' pre-teen years are filled with self-agonize, mourning over his inability to follow Achilles to the afterlife and possibility to be bound forever on earth. But Miller isn't cruel enough to end their story on an utmost tragic path like most Greek stories do, so she settles in a bittersweet one that reminisces the memories of them together and promises a joyful reunion of the two lovers after countless efforts to do so.
With its woeful romantic journey, it is also nostalgic, passionate, yet sincere—thriving in inciting a barrage of emotions as we keep reading the story of Patroclus and Achilles. Respectively, through The Song of Achilles, Miller has created a significantly timeless classic in the current modern times that deserves its spot as one of the best offers in the fiction genre as it goes.
I don't think it's going to be easy to recover from this book. It hurts. In a good way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, War, Trafficking, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, Violence, Torture, and Slavery
Minor: Rape