Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - The Song of Achilles

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Those seconds, half seconds, that the line of our gaze connected, were the only moment in my day that I felt anything at all. The sudden swoop of my stomach, the coursing anger. I was like a fish eyeing the hook.

Rounded it off to a 5-star because this is the only book that actually made me break down and cry uncontrollably during the last three chapters because of the pain and despair I felt despite knowing the end was inevitable. The number of highlights and notes in my Kindle is crazy, and not everything is uploaded because, man, I felt some heavy emotions.

Miller’s retelling was fantastic, although certain areas had some criticisms (I'm talking about how they did my girl, Briseis, dirty). But this didn’t take away the stunning storytelling, with it being both beautiful and devastating. I doubt I’ll ever be able to express my thoughts fully, but I plan to reread this book soon, even though it means going through the heartache again.

“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”

If only our star-crossed lovers never left Pelion... My Roman Empire.

“I do not mean—” I twisted my fingers. “I would still be with you. But I could sleep outside, so it would not be so obvious. I do not need to attend your councils. I—”

“No. The Phthians will not care. And the others can talk all they like. I will still be Aristos Achaion.” Best of the Greeks.

“Your honor could be darkened by it.”

“Then it is darkened.” His jaw shot forward, stubborn. “They are fools if they let my glory rise or fall on this.”

“But Odysseus—”

His eyes, green as spring leaves, met mine. “Patroclus. I have given enough to them. I will not give them this.”

GASPING FOR AIR. YES FIGHT FOR YOUR MAN!

“Have you no more memories?”
I am made of memories.
“Speak, then.”

This scene between Patroclus and Thetis...

⊹ ࣪ In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out the sun. ˖

. ݁˖ . ݁

✦ post-read: this story was both beautiful and heart-wrenching 🥹

. ݁₊ ⊹

⟡ pre-read: okay i see this all over tiktok so let's get into it

Content Warnings

knoseal's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Not a book I thought I’d like, but it was beautifully written and the entire last act had me crying from the depths of my soul. I didn’t understand why

Patroclus loved Achilles so much, but the story made you lose yourself in his adoration and love.

It was hard to read of how women were treated but at least they were not terribly graphic.
When

Briseis called Patroclus the best of them all and we knew for certain he would die, it broke my heart.

Content Warnings

abygaylemarie's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

wildflower_magic's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

What a beautiful retelling of the story of Achilles. I swooned over the portrayal of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus and I think Patroclus was the perfect narrator for the story. Madeline Miller did a fantastic job of holding true to the original stories while also creating something unique and special within that story. The writing style was gorgeous: perfectly flowery and song-like just like the myths would have been told. The character development was so interesting. A month later and I still think about how this book ended! This book gives a lot of opportunities to reflect on the age-old debate: do we have control, or is it up to fate?

Content Warnings

barbarianmissy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow, talk about a Greek tragedy!

I really loved this book. Summing up Patroclus’ entire life into 369 pages was a worthy feat. I felt like I lived it alongside him.

The love story in this book between Patroclus and Achilles was so beautiful and tragic and unapologetic. It was so good. I also found it super interesting how they truly shaped one another’s character. Patroclus started off his exile cynic and prideful, whereas Achilles was introduced as a breath of life and beauty. They really swapped those traits during the war.

I got SUPER FRUSTRATED near the end with Achilles and Agamemnon in how both THEIR own prides cost so many men their lives. Gah, frickin MEN! Also Achilles’ stupid idiot son can EAT A CAR TIRE AND DIE. What a lil shit and a half. Glad he didn’t last long.

Anywho, I really loved the ending. Reading about the immense grief had me in TEARS but it was so beautifully written. It was a nice switch up that Achilles’ crazy nymph mama really just was a protective mummy who loved her kid in the end. Happy she gave her son what he truly loved and wished for in the end. They found their peace and it was just a gorgeous finale.

I JUST LOVED THIS STORY OK!?! Felt like I was back in elementary school obsessing over Ancient Greek Mythology again. Also, Madeline Miller is such an amazing author, I may read Circe next.

Content Warnings

shaun_dh's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective 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? No

5.0

I came for the Greek stuff and stayed for the gay shit. The Song of Achilles is the most beautifully written love story I have ever read. It’s breathtaking. Stunning. A masterpiece

I can’t remember the last time I cried this much over a book. I am a big Greek mythology nerd so I knew the story and the outcome, but Madeline Miller’s storytelling hits different. Her writing is so lyrical and plays out like a movie in my head

I cannot even come up with words for how much I love this because I’m still crying

Content Warnings

nottheexplorer's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

chilivlokken's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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