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camoo3032's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It really immerses you into Greek mythology and the story of Troy and Achilles. I still really enjoyed reading it even though I knew the story of Achilles. I'm not used to reading books written in a first-person perspective so it felt disjointed to me and as if the narrator was distant, but it was still very well done!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual content, War, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
bookgirllife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
4.25
The Song of Achilles is probably the most popular (Greek) mythology retelling in the world, and it is so with good reason. I went into this book eager to see what all the hype was about and came out in a sort of melancholy, in the best way possible. I know everyone and their mother says they cried reading this book. I didn’t but I can see why that’s a common reaction. The Song of Achilles is a beautiful love story told through the perspective of Patroclus, Achille’s lover and best friend, as they grow up alongside one another, fall in love, go to war and become heroes in their own right. Madeline Miller did such a fantastic job of telling their story with such care.
Miller’s writes The Song of Achilles as though it were Patroclus’ memoir. I found the pacing was a little slow, but she more than made up for it with the beautiful prose. I think that the pacing was intentional as it gives the reader a lot time with Achilles and Patroclus and allows us to become invested in them. The descriptions of locations, characters and emotions were almost lyrical, befitting the title of the novel.
Achilles is the best of the Greeks in his time. I loved the multifaceted characterisation of Achilles. It was very interesting as he is characterised through the lens of love - the lens of Patroclus and it is a powerful love these two share. One of the first notes I made while reading this was ‘this is so sweet, it’s going to hurt like a bitch, isn’t it?’ Spoiler alert, it did. One of my favourite aspects of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is that it is founded in a deep and true friendship. Patroclus, being an exiled Prince, grew up as an afterthought. Until Achilles entered his life.
You have to admire how, almost single-handedly, Madeline Miller has made Greek mythology retellings not only popular but also incredibly accessible. The heroes are self-contained characters within the confines of the book and no prior knowledge is needed or assumed. The same can also be said of the Ancient Greek world building, for lack of better term, as this is a world that did actually exist. The way in which Miller sets a scene, describes a location, is as much a beauty of this book as the storytelling.
The Song of Achilles touches on all the themes of a Greek epic. There is glory, pride, greed, morality and mortality. The Trojan War as a backdrop for this brings out the best and worst of these characters in wildly different ways. Through it all, the only thing that remains untouched is the love that Achilles and Patroclus share.
I really recommend this book to everyone, whether you’re interested in mythology, historical fiction, romance novels, tales of adventure - there is something in this for everyone. I know I will be revisiting this book in time and reading anything that Madeline Miller chooses to publish in future.
Miller’s writes The Song of Achilles as though it were Patroclus’ memoir. I found the pacing was a little slow, but she more than made up for it with the beautiful prose. I think that the pacing was intentional as it gives the reader a lot time with Achilles and Patroclus and allows us to become invested in them. The descriptions of locations, characters and emotions were almost lyrical, befitting the title of the novel.
Achilles is the best of the Greeks in his time. I loved the multifaceted characterisation of Achilles. It was very interesting as he is characterised through the lens of love - the lens of Patroclus and it is a powerful love these two share. One of the first notes I made while reading this was ‘this is so sweet, it’s going to hurt like a bitch, isn’t it?’ Spoiler alert, it did. One of my favourite aspects of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is that it is founded in a deep and true friendship. Patroclus, being an exiled Prince, grew up as an afterthought. Until Achilles entered his life.
You have to admire how, almost single-handedly, Madeline Miller has made Greek mythology retellings not only popular but also incredibly accessible. The heroes are self-contained characters within the confines of the book and no prior knowledge is needed or assumed. The same can also be said of the Ancient Greek world building, for lack of better term, as this is a world that did actually exist. The way in which Miller sets a scene, describes a location, is as much a beauty of this book as the storytelling.
The Song of Achilles touches on all the themes of a Greek epic. There is glory, pride, greed, morality and mortality. The Trojan War as a backdrop for this brings out the best and worst of these characters in wildly different ways. Through it all, the only thing that remains untouched is the love that Achilles and Patroclus share.
I really recommend this book to everyone, whether you’re interested in mythology, historical fiction, romance novels, tales of adventure - there is something in this for everyone. I know I will be revisiting this book in time and reading anything that Madeline Miller chooses to publish in future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, and Slavery
Minor: Ableism
simone_ebony's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really wasnt sure how I felt about this through most of it. I found Patroclus to be a blank slate, which I know is the point, but it got kind of annoying. But honestly it picked up towards the end and made me cry three times this afternoon even though I knew the ending so... I'd say its worth the read for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Classism
onceuponabookcase's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
Having adored Madeline Miller's Circe, I dived right into The Song of Achilles as soon as I finished. Of the two, it's the one I have owned the longest, and now how I wish I had read it when I first bought it. It's absolutely incredible.
One of the reasons I had waited to read The Song of the Achilles was because I knew women are treated horrifically by the Greek army; did I really want to read that, from a man's perspective, when so many books were being published set during the Trojan War from the women's perspectives? I read Mythos by Stephen Fry years ago, and though it doesn't focus on Troy, the amount of rape genuinely shocked me. I didn't want to put myself through that. But having read Circe, I knew wouldn't have a problem with how Miller wrote it. There is talk of rape in The Song of Achilles, but neither Achilles or Patroclus rape anyone in this story. We never see it.
Because the focus of the story isn't really on Achilles as a hero, or his role in the Trojan War. Don't get me wrong, more than half the book is set during the war, and what happens there is integral to the story - there's no way to write a story about Achilles without it being integral. But The Song of Achilles is a love story, and that's its focus. The romance between Patroclus and Achilles. It wasn't the story I was expecting at all. I knew that The Song of Achilles was an m/m story, but I didn't know Patroclus told the story, or that their relationship was the focus. But it's absolutely beautiful.
The story starts when the two are both young boys. It shows the events that lead to Patroclus being exiled from his kingdom and sent to Phthia, how he becomes Achilles' companion, and how they're relationship blossoms. Miller has an incredible way of writing young people and aging them as they live and experience things. I was surprised with how, for the majority of the novel, it felt like a young adult story. That isn't a slight of course, I love YA. But I had assumed it would feel similarly to adult high fantasy that has teenage protagonists; there's a very different tone. There was me worrying originally that Miller's books might be too literary for my tastes, and The Song of Achilles feels a lot like the majority of the books I read. Because she writes teenagers, and first love, so well. The joy they find in each other and their relationship is just so pure and joyous! They're both such good boys, too. Because they are still boys when the Trojan War starts; they might have been considered adults at the time, they are still so young. And they have good hearts, and just wonderful. I adored them.
But then the war does start, and that's where things changed for me. I know the story of the Trojan War; I know how this story ends for Achilles and Patroclus, I knew what was coming. Watching it come was devastating and heartbreaking, knowing what would happen to these two boys I loved. They know the prophecy; if Achilles goes to Troy, he will not return. However, if he doesn't, he will grow old, but he will have no fame or glory. He chooses fame and glory, and slowly but surely, he starts to change. Knowing he will not survive the war with Troy, Achilles' honour becomes everything. He thirsts for fame, admiration, for the pride and excitement he feels in his skill in killing others, the glory it brings him. He starts to become someone I don't really like.
The good, soft boy is still there, underneath it all. During the raids on the towns surrounding Troy, women are captured. They are will become bed-slaves to the generals of the Greek army, claimed as prizes. Being gay, Achilles and Patroclus have no interest in bed-slaves; however, Patroclus cannot bear knowing what will happen to these women, and pleads with Achilles to claim as many as he can, so they are safe. My love for them both soared, though I did notice that this was Patroclus' idea, and that Achilles did it for him. He doesn't care quite as much as Patroclus. When Agamemnon insults and disrespects him by taking Briseis, the first woman they saved from the others, one who has become close to Patroclus, Achilles rages. Not for Briseis, and what will happen to her, but for the insult to him. But Agamemnon has overstepped a line that no-one - the soldiers or the gods - will ignore, and so Achilles is happy to let Agamemnon rape Briseis, because once he does, all hell will rain down upon him. But Patroclus isn't the hero. There is no fame or glory for him, and his honour doesn't matter much when it comes to those he loves, and he loves Briseis. The good at the heart of Achilles is buried underneath the legacy of his legend that he so desperately wants. And it's absolutely heartbreaking to see how Achilles changes effects Patroclus. Their romance was so pure, so beautiful, but now Achilles' glory and honour gets in the way.
The Song of Achilles is beautiful, heartbreaking, devastating, but undeniably stunning story, one that is so full of love and hope. I adored Circe, but I love The Song of Achilles so much more. This book broke and healed my heart, and I can see why so many love it so much. I will absolutely read anything Miller writes in future; she's found herself a place among my favourite authors.
One of the reasons I had waited to read The Song of the Achilles was because I knew women are treated horrifically by the Greek army; did I really want to read that, from a man's perspective, when so many books were being published set during the Trojan War from the women's perspectives? I read Mythos by Stephen Fry years ago, and though it doesn't focus on Troy, the amount of rape genuinely shocked me. I didn't want to put myself through that. But having read Circe, I knew wouldn't have a problem with how Miller wrote it. There is talk of rape in The Song of Achilles, but neither Achilles or Patroclus rape anyone in this story. We never see it.
Because the focus of the story isn't really on Achilles as a hero, or his role in the Trojan War. Don't get me wrong, more than half the book is set during the war, and what happens there is integral to the story - there's no way to write a story about Achilles without it being integral. But The Song of Achilles is a love story, and that's its focus. The romance between Patroclus and Achilles. It wasn't the story I was expecting at all. I knew that The Song of Achilles was an m/m story, but I didn't know Patroclus told the story, or that their relationship was the focus. But it's absolutely beautiful.
The story starts when the two are both young boys. It shows the events that lead to Patroclus being exiled from his kingdom and sent to Phthia, how he becomes Achilles' companion, and how they're relationship blossoms. Miller has an incredible way of writing young people and aging them as they live and experience things. I was surprised with how, for the majority of the novel, it felt like a young adult story. That isn't a slight of course, I love YA. But I had assumed it would feel similarly to adult high fantasy that has teenage protagonists; there's a very different tone. There was me worrying originally that Miller's books might be too literary for my tastes, and The Song of Achilles feels a lot like the majority of the books I read. Because she writes teenagers, and first love, so well. The joy they find in each other and their relationship is just so pure and joyous! They're both such good boys, too. Because they are still boys when the Trojan War starts; they might have been considered adults at the time, they are still so young. And they have good hearts, and just wonderful. I adored them.
But then the war does start, and that's where things changed for me. I know the story of the Trojan War; I know how this story ends for Achilles and Patroclus, I knew what was coming. Watching it come was devastating and heartbreaking, knowing what would happen to these two boys I loved. They know the prophecy; if Achilles goes to Troy, he will not return. However, if he doesn't, he will grow old, but he will have no fame or glory. He chooses fame and glory, and slowly but surely, he starts to change. Knowing he will not survive the war with Troy, Achilles' honour becomes everything. He thirsts for fame, admiration, for the pride and excitement he feels in his skill in killing others, the glory it brings him. He starts to become someone I don't really like.
The good, soft boy is still there, underneath it all. During the raids on the towns surrounding Troy, women are captured. They are will become bed-slaves to the generals of the Greek army, claimed as prizes. Being gay, Achilles and Patroclus have no interest in bed-slaves; however, Patroclus cannot bear knowing what will happen to these women, and pleads with Achilles to claim as many as he can, so they are safe. My love for them both soared, though I did notice that this was Patroclus' idea, and that Achilles did it for him. He doesn't care quite as much as Patroclus. When Agamemnon insults and disrespects him by taking Briseis, the first woman they saved from the others, one who has become close to Patroclus, Achilles rages. Not for Briseis, and what will happen to her, but for the insult to him. But Agamemnon has overstepped a line that no-one - the soldiers or the gods - will ignore, and so Achilles is happy to let Agamemnon rape Briseis, because once he does, all hell will rain down upon him. But Patroclus isn't the hero. There is no fame or glory for him, and his honour doesn't matter much when it comes to those he loves, and he loves Briseis. The good at the heart of Achilles is buried underneath the legacy of his legend that he so desperately wants. And it's absolutely heartbreaking to see how Achilles changes effects Patroclus. Their romance was so pure, so beautiful, but now Achilles' glory and honour gets in the way.
The Song of Achilles is beautiful, heartbreaking, devastating, but undeniably stunning story, one that is so full of love and hope. I adored Circe, but I love The Song of Achilles so much more. This book broke and healed my heart, and I can see why so many love it so much. I will absolutely read anything Miller writes in future; she's found herself a place among my favourite authors.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Rape, Self harm, and Grief
Minor: Blood and Vomit
This book features two on-page sex scenes, one m/m, one f/f (semi-vague); human sacrifice; and numerous rapes, including male rape (all off page).linguistic_goblin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Ableism and Rape
Minor: Animal cruelty
tom_23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
4.25
tw/rape
Oh boy. This book is amazing. can’t help but think it would be better if i’d read the iliad but that’s too long right now so here we are. everything about this book is amazing. it’s like bathing in honey which i realise would be disgusting but please respect the imagery. the characters were rich and loveable. i love patroclus.
Oh boy. This book is amazing. can’t help but think it would be better if i’d read the iliad but that’s too long right now so here we are. everything about this book is amazing. it’s like bathing in honey which i realise would be disgusting but please respect the imagery. the characters were rich and loveable. i love patroclus.
it’s easier to summarise my dislikes so:
- I don’t think enough changed during the very long timespan of the novel. it felt like every chapter started with “and then nine years later” which i think ruined it a bit. i realise that you can’t really do anything about this because of the iliad but nonetheless. despite this, the pace is kept perfectly and it flows like running water
- this is a big one for me, and i know it’s important to the plot but i still don’t like it. Deidamia keeps raping people. with Achilles it felt like it was glossed over too quickly. that’s an important event and i would have liked to see how he dealt with it. and also patroclus. they both went through that and it’s never mentioned again. talking of patroclus, his rape seen was really weird and was the books lowest low. i think being coerced into sex with your boyfriend’s rapist is a lot more traumatic than what we see.
aside from this, a really great book that i really want to talk about. we need to talk about the end oh my god so sad, achilles’ whole descent and patroclus’ ghost. really tragic and very well done. i’m gonna read a lot more greek mythology this year i think
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Homophobia
paperbagarsh's review
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely love this book, ngl i was fully sobbing by the end of it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and War
Minor: Ableism
short_circuit's review
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
CW: death (child and adult), violence, war
"have you no more memories?"
"i am made of memories."
oh. my god. where do i begin with this.
i adore this book. i adore the way it's written. i adore the characters. i adore how many quotable lines they are—i read "there are no bargains between lions and men. i will kill you and eat you raw." and i go unbelievably wild. madeline miller, you icon.
i love how the bond between patroclus and achilles, while not immediate, is something that only the gods could tear asunder. they grow up together, train together, fight together, love each other. it really feels as though they are made for each other. soulmates is a heavy word, but it suits them perfectly. achilles' reaction to patroclus' death is so raw and so real. some may think it's over the top, but i disagree. they were soulmates, your honour. sometimes draping yourself over your best friend-slash-lover's dead body and weeping for days on end is part of the grieving process.
i didn't cry over this book as a lot of other reviewers did, but that's a me thing. i'm more the type to cry over movies or tv shows, haha. that being said, i did have an emotional reaction to this story! at its core, it's a story about two boys in love, just trying to cling to each other for as long as possible. five stars!
(i highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook for this. frazer douglas does an incredible narration.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
Minor: Ableism, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
savave's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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? Yes
5.0
The love story was beautiful and tragic, the type of book you frequently think about after finishing! Never got boring or repetitive, kept you on your toes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Genocide, Homophobia, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and War
merume's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book broke my heart but I love it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and War
Minor: Ableism