booklybrittany's review against another edition
5.0
tw: abduction, abandonment, blood, child abuse, death, human sacrifice, human trafficking, murder, violence, mentions of rape, self-harm, slavery, torture, war
Where do I even begin???
I’m in awe at how beautifully written this tale was and I highly, highly recommend reading this if you enjoyed reading anything related to Greek mythology - but most specifically for fans of The Illiad. This was very Homer-esque with a novel spin and a beautifully crafted love story that will have your heart aching upon finishing the last page.
Easy 5 stars for me.
Where do I even begin???
I’m in awe at how beautifully written this tale was and I highly, highly recommend reading this if you enjoyed reading anything related to Greek mythology - but most specifically for fans of The Illiad. This was very Homer-esque with a novel spin and a beautifully crafted love story that will have your heart aching upon finishing the last page.
Easy 5 stars for me.
mythos05's review against another edition
3.0
3/5 stars
For starters, I did finish reading this book. I placed it on my DNF list because I skimmed through a whole chunk of the book because I couldn't stand how boring the war parts were. I tried to seriously read the wartime scenes, but I kept getting distracted and didn't make much progress. I pretty much skipped to the end. Otherwise, the writing is excellent, and there are some excellent quotes. I might just have to come back to reread this when I'm in a better headspace to read it thoroughly.
For starters, I did finish reading this book. I placed it on my DNF list because I skimmed through a whole chunk of the book because I couldn't stand how boring the war parts were. I tried to seriously read the wartime scenes, but I kept getting distracted and didn't make much progress. I pretty much skipped to the end. Otherwise, the writing is excellent, and there are some excellent quotes. I might just have to come back to reread this when I'm in a better headspace to read it thoroughly.
hannakutlu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mothmans_library's review against another edition
5.0
After reading this book, I have a new perspective on the mythos of Achilles. This is the kind of story that hits you in the chest over and over again. The emotion and well written perspective that was Patroclus's will more than probably stay with me for a long time. The absolute devastation you can feel from Achilles tears and I mean TEARS at your heart.
I can honestly say I have found a favorite for life and what I believe to be a classic that literature will remember for a long time to come.
I can honestly say I have found a favorite for life and what I believe to be a classic that literature will remember for a long time to come.
hellaxu's review against another edition
5.0
If you must know, I was indeed a Greek mythology kid and while I put off reading this book for many years, here we are at the end. Yeah um…pain. Heartbreak. I ugly cried for probably a whole ten minutes (while reading) and am actively trying not to think about Achilles & Patroclus. Fun to read about Odysseus outside of The Odyssey! Not fun to read the ending!
darkndani's review against another edition
4.0
Let me start by saying that I do not care what historians say... Achilles and Patroclus were in love.
I knew I would love this book from the first chapter. The writing was just too beautiful not to love it. But of course like all Greek Mythology, it can be easy to get lost in it. So there were points I was confused or found myself zoning out.. but once I caught up or focused again I was in love all over again.
The story is very accurate to the Iliad but with some creative liberties throughout. Which made me love the story and characters more than I would had I just read the original.
The love was poetic and the last few chapters had me crying almost the entire time.
The beginning is slow but the ending is strong.
I knew I would love this book from the first chapter. The writing was just too beautiful not to love it. But of course like all Greek Mythology, it can be easy to get lost in it. So there were points I was confused or found myself zoning out.. but once I caught up or focused again I was in love all over again.
The story is very accurate to the Iliad but with some creative liberties throughout. Which made me love the story and characters more than I would had I just read the original.
The love was poetic and the last few chapters had me crying almost the entire time.
The beginning is slow but the ending is strong.
books_n_bananas's review against another edition
5.0
Okay. Fantastic.
This was not what I was expecting from this book whatsoever. I'm used to Greek epics being a tad narcissistic. "So-and-so is amazing and the only amazing person on the planet and look how perfect." 'The Song of Achilles' keeps enough of this flavor, but brings it in from the eyes of Patroclus--a very human human.
I've read previous reviews that state how uninteresting Patroclus and Achilles are as characters, and I just feel like they missed the point here a little bit. Unlike a lot of other novels, the plot here is not moved forward by dialogue. It doesn't need it-- Greek mythology has the fates. The plot is already decided here, guys. The biggest trick is finding a way to keep it a little interesting. Holding back little details--how is it going to happen? When?
We know a lot of specific things are going to happen right in a row. How? The fates said so. It's a Greek myth. That's how it works. Miller managed to balance the edge here of holding back just a little to keep it interesting.
And back to my original point-- this book's focus IS NOT THE PLOT. If you can't live without a mysterious plot or plot twist, this probably isn't the book for you. This book is about a love story and a relationship that goes beyond sappy obsession. Again to negate other commentators--Patroclus is not a nobody. He goes above and beyond Achilles in a very human way. He balances Achilles' ego, which is ultimately his downfall. As it always is in a greek tragedy.
I loved this book, not for what I expected of it-- a greek epic and grand characters-- but for what I didn't expect-- a deep and interwoven loving relationship.
This was not what I was expecting from this book whatsoever. I'm used to Greek epics being a tad narcissistic. "So-and-so is amazing and the only amazing person on the planet and look how perfect." 'The Song of Achilles' keeps enough of this flavor, but brings it in from the eyes of Patroclus--a very human human.
I've read previous reviews that state how uninteresting Patroclus and Achilles are as characters, and I just feel like they missed the point here a little bit. Unlike a lot of other novels, the plot here is not moved forward by dialogue. It doesn't need it-- Greek mythology has the fates. The plot is already decided here, guys. The biggest trick is finding a way to keep it a little interesting. Holding back little details--how is it going to happen? When?
We know a lot of specific things are going to happen right in a row. How? The fates said so. It's a Greek myth. That's how it works. Miller managed to balance the edge here of holding back just a little to keep it interesting.
And back to my original point-- this book's focus IS NOT THE PLOT. If you can't live without a mysterious plot or plot twist, this probably isn't the book for you. This book is about a love story and a relationship that goes beyond sappy obsession. Again to negate other commentators--Patroclus is not a nobody. He goes above and beyond Achilles in a very human way. He balances Achilles' ego, which is ultimately his downfall. As it always is in a greek tragedy.
I loved this book, not for what I expected of it-- a greek epic and grand characters-- but for what I didn't expect-- a deep and interwoven loving relationship.
lanas_bookpage's review against another edition
4.0
So i have not a few words over this book. First i enjojed the writing stile of it as it was writen in like a classic way which suprised me since not a lot of authors do that any more. But i have some to say over how the characers were writen. I think that it is efected by Patrocolus telling the story and that kind of made the book a bit harder to read. I belive that if the story were to writen from the third person view the book would be less of a tragic love story abt the boy who was pulled to a sad war filled world, the boy beeing Achilles and more abt the boy who eas pulled to a sad war filled world Patrocolus. With that beeing said i cant help but think that if it easnt for the war and his mother Achilles wouldnt turn out to be a sad man who loved and cared more about his honor and pride over his lover. I also this that the female characters in this book were a bit of which i hope comes from the fact that a male was telling the story and not bc of the author herself.