Reviews tagging 'Transphobia'

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

55 reviews

dragonbornsandwaffles's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

If you're like me and haven't read the Iliad before reading this, be prepared for a lot of heartbreak with this book. Had heard great things but no one warned me in advance and it was really, really hard to get through. Beautifully written, but painful.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Murder, Outing, Gaslighting, and War

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Transphobia

inkdrinkers'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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, and War

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Transphobia, Blood, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail

brookey8888's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional slow-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

3.0

This was fine. I just felt like a lot of parts were slow. I honestly did not feel an attachment to these characters. I think it’s because we don’t really get to know them in my opinion. Also this didn’t  really make me sad because I knew it was going to happen, but Even still I didn’t find it that sad. I just felt detached from the Characters. I did start to enjoy it more towards the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

joeypriestley's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad

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

4.75

Could've done without the very very period typical misogyny and transphobia. Was a tad excessive. Outside of that, banger book about youth, love, war, and what we're willing to do for glory

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual violence, Transphobia, and War

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, and Violence

backyardroses's review against another edition

slow-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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia

sacredgayometry's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad slow-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

4.5

One of the best romance reads and a very beautiful rendition of the classic myth, although a tad predictable at times. There are moments in this book that make me wonder if I’ve ever truly experienced love, because I get so emotional about it, more than even thinking about my own partners. There are also moments in this book that are incredibly frustrating to read due to the characters often being willfully obstinate and prideful, but it wouldn’t be a green tragedy if that weren’t the case. Overall a wonderful book, the language is beyond poetic and I loved the characters, but the plot is sometimes slow and there are some very annoying bits that tarnished the overall feel, for me.

for example, the scene in which Patroclus is killed was infuriating to read, as it seemed so out of character for him to do

I would recommend that you read it once, but for me once is enough.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and War

Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Sexual content, Transphobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

there is a scene in which Patroclus is “seduced” by a woman that feels more like coercion. There is definitely death and grief in heavy amounts.

entityj's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Grief, and Outing

Minor: Torture and Transphobia

rachelfek's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

Minor: Transphobia

onefineelephant's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective tense medium-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

4.0

 8/10. Pretty gay. I know the story of Achilles pretty well which made all of the foreshadowing lines very nice. I didn't know how involved Thetis was in the story. I liked how Achilles, who could be easily seen as arrogant and haughty, was portrayed as a rounded person from Patroclus' point of view. Overall, I liked it but I wouldn't say it's an instant favorite. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Alcohol

ghostboi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

It took me a long time to finish this book, because while I enjoyed the writing style and the two main character's journey, the amount of transphobic throwaway lines were too much for me. 
I definitely started to enjoyed it more in the last third; was constantly on edge about whether or not I would have to read about detailed sexual assault instances. Luckily that wasn't the case, it does get mentioned a fair amount though.
I understand it's based on historical figures, I guess it just wasn't for me. 
The ending was really soul wrenching and I shed a tear or two.
I'm glad I powered through and have gotten to experience the ending of this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Transphobia