aj_16_'s review against another edition
5.0
That men worshipped him like a god, but no one mourned.
(About Heracles)
This woman paints with her words. Even if they are less they paint such a vivid picture, I see entire scenes dancing in front of my eyes.
ruthb77's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
ebazilereads's review against another edition
4.0
A heart breaking short story about the abandonment of Philoctetes on an island before the Trojan war.
atelmari's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
njuhi's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
notarein's review against another edition
This is not very good. Probably one of the first things she wrote I assume? I won't leave a bad rating since I like the author, but yea don't expect much from this one.
ctpompei's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rosedoltan's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I just found it hard to really get into with it being a short story, but still great none the less.
We already know the story but madeline always makes it heartbreaking.
We already know the story but madeline always makes it heartbreaking.
hulttio's review against another edition
2.0
A nice short story about one of my favorite characters, Philoctetes. Miller's writing is clever and luxurious, always making me feel like I'm right there as it happens. The prose isn't always perfect and can be a bit stuttered, but it's a decent retelling that leaves you wondering until the end (at least if you don't already know the story).
aradeia's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It almost feels silly to review this, because it's pretty much the length of a oneshot on AO3, but woah was it good.
I don't spend much time thinking about Heracles. I spend less time thinking about Philoctetes. I've never thought to consider their relationship, or Philoctetes' story. To me, it was just one of those add-ons to the Iliad I sort of rolled my eyes at.
But Madeline Miller made me very interested. Their relationship is fraught. I can feel Philoctetes' anger and frustration at being a more famous man's companion (and not even the most famous companion at that), mixed in with his abiding love for this man he found so incredible, and his grief, and his guilt.
Philoctetes was the only one brave enough to put Heracles out of his misery when he was dying from poison in his blood. Or maybe Philoctetes was the only one who loved Heracles enough, Heracles the man, to help him die. What a thing to live with. It's no wonder Heracles' voice haunts him throughout the story.
And then the ending was excellent. Where Philoctetes helped Heracles end his suffering, no one bothered to help him when he was poisoned himself. He's left to suffer to death on an island. The afterthought of a concluded myth, waiting for the story to need him again.
I don't spend much time thinking about Heracles. I spend less time thinking about Philoctetes. I've never thought to consider their relationship, or Philoctetes' story. To me, it was just one of those add-ons to the Iliad I sort of rolled my eyes at.
But Madeline Miller made me very interested. Their relationship is fraught. I can feel Philoctetes' anger and frustration at being a more famous man's companion (and not even the most famous companion at that), mixed in with his abiding love for this man he found so incredible, and his grief, and his guilt.
Philoctetes was the only one brave enough to put Heracles out of his misery when he was dying from poison in his blood. Or maybe Philoctetes was the only one who loved Heracles enough, Heracles the man, to help him die. What a thing to live with. It's no wonder Heracles' voice haunts him throughout the story.
And then the ending was excellent. Where Philoctetes helped Heracles end his suffering, no one bothered to help him when he was poisoned himself. He's left to suffer to death on an island. The afterthought of a concluded myth, waiting for the story to need him again.