Reviews with content warning for Torture - The Song of Achilles

Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller

60 reviews

gayelfboi's review

adventurous emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

liked it the first time. After reading more of the author’s academic work on ancient Greek culture I come back loving and appreciating it even more. Cried both times

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myaphrodiite's review

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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.

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ai_lin's review

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adventurous emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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annagallo's review

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adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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tsar's review against another edition

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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.

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morgcailie's review

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adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Well obviously they're in love, and it's beautiful, and it's messy, and it's groundbreaking. And It really wouldn't be so toxic if it weren't for war. Don't forget that pinch of destiny.

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mayreads's review

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adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

When Patroclus is banished from his home and is moved into another, he meets Achilles, a wondrous demigod. Through their many adventures and countless experiences, a

Spoiler

fond love blossoms between them

. Until the eminent Trojan War, that is. The emotional end of the book and the marvelous prose used made the adventures of Patroclus and Achilles immensely more tremendous. The beloved friendships and relationships that form among them, though, are what made the book so glorious.

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chavborromeo's review

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“Name one hero who was happy.”

This book broke me. Patroclus death does not sink it yet but when Achilles weep and asked his mother if she can bring him back to life thats when I started crying😭. He doesn't deserve that. If only Achilles wasn't that petty.

At first, I found this story boring probably because the narrator was a bit boring. He doesn't have any personality aside from the fact that he love this beautiful boy until the end. But then scenes became interesting and exciting. I just need to forget that "one sex scene" never happen. Like what the hell??? What's happening?

“Go,” she says. “He waits for you.”

Who would have thought that the one who hated Patroclus when he was still alive was also the one who gave his peace and finally reunited him with his beloved? I love that scene so much. I'm sad it ended that way but at least they still together at after life. 🙁

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fanboyriot's review against another edition

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sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Finally finished reading this after having it on my physical TBR for at least five years.

The hype of this was high. Seeing great reviews and positive comments about how amazing the writing was and how sad but good it was.

I’m not gonna lie I only bought it because it was queer and it had Greek mythology in it. I thought despite the angst and it being a historical fiction that I’d like it.

The short review is that I did not like it. I wanted to DNF it so many times but thought maybe I just wasn’t giving it a chance.

I don’t know if it was because of the slower paced chapters or because it was a historical fiction but this book was so boring. I could not wait to be done with it.

There were so many moments that it was cringey or just uncomfortable to read. All the spicy moments were awful to get through. And while I understand it was back when people were a lot younger when they were married off or forced to have children but it was just so uncomfortable to read lines like: “Her body, he said, was soft and small as a child’s.” (Chapter 13, page 147)… why is that necessary?? How did that make it into the final edits??

I will say the positive about this was that through everything Achilles and Patroclus had a healthy, honest, and trusting relationship for the most part.

And while the ending was sad it wasn’t as bad as I expected. I think that what Thetis ended up doing in the end helped with that. It was the sweetest thing she had done in that whole book.

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books_and_rainydays's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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