jayvdw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I was already very familiar with the story of Achilles, having read Heroes and Troy by Stephen Fry. But the interpretation of the original story by Madeline Miller made this story so much more than just another hero's journey. I really enjoyed that the main focus of the book wasn't on the Trojan war, as this story has been told numerous times.
Some other things that I really liked about the book were < spoiler> the change from Achilles being invulnerable, to just being a genius fighter who is still vulnerable to attacks. , the way gods were presented as selfish and unethical, and the conflicted depiction of Odysseus, as a person with his own motives and drives.
The ending of the book was perfectly executed. While reading I was wondering how Madeline Miller would pull this off, but she clearly exceeded my expectations.
For my rating: I loved the book, but I have two minus points. First, the book sometimes felt a bit too slow-paced for my liking. Secondly, the book missed a certain spark to get 5 stars. I only felt this spark in the last 4 chapters. For this reason, I gave it a 4.5.
Graphic: War, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
book_catepillar's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Violence, War, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy
pigeongreen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Gore, Grief, Animal death, and Child death
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
purechaos's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body horror, Classism, Physical abuse, Slavery, War, Cursing, Deportation, Genocide, Gore, Sexual harassment, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Grief, Xenophobia, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
mama_marlene23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I literally cried the thru the last 100pages. But I loved it. The writing, the scenery everything. And even if Achill fucked me up sometimes I kind of love him just like patroklos.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Murder, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Slavery, War, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexism, and Sexual assault
kathrynleereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Song of Achilles is one I had such high hopes for after hearing so many amazing things about it, but I just didn’t feel drawn into the story.
With every multi-year time jump, I felt as if I had whiplash. If I’m adding correctly the book spanned a total of 18 years (ages 9 to 27 for Patroclus), which was just too wide a time frame.
Because of the time jumps, Achilles’ character development felt spotty and incomplete. Patroclus, on the other hand, seemed to go through all of his character growth within the final few chapters, which was just as jarring.
Speaking of the final few chapters…
I’ll admit, I did shed quite a few tears at the end of the book, but that’s only because of the characters’ reactions to everything that unfolded.
Spoiler
I didn’t even fully follow what happened to Patroclus until Menelaus carried him back into camp, at which point I went back and reread the prior chapter.One second Patroclus was in the chariot, and the next he was at the wall of Troy, being surrounded by the Trojan army.
I understand that Miller was demonstrating the draw of power in the scene, but it was so out of character for Patroclus that it took me right out of the story.
The only aspect of this book I have no complaints about is Briseis. Her character helped demonstrate the severity of war atrocities, while also helping mark time.
Briseis’ friendship with Patroclus was the only thing that kept me reading this book.
She was so kind and understanding, even after the horrors that she had gone through (and was yet to go through) because of the war.
All in all, I think this book was just not for me. Reading other reviews for The Song of Achilles, I recognize all the aspects that are being applauded, I just think Miller’s writing style was not for me.
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Murder, Sexual violence, Blood, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and War
Moderate: Torture, Child death, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death and Bullying
sshpurple1's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Sexual harassment, Slavery, Sexual content, Kidnapping, War, and Death
stellastallion's review
- 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
Graphic: War, Homophobia, Blood, Death, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Animal death
Minor: Child death and Sexual violence
sirenricobooks's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Misogyny, War, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Child death, Death, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexism, Torture, Classism, Grief, and Homophobia
Minor: Animal death, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Outing, Rape, Sexual violence, and Slavery
crowcrow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I don't believe there's anything more I can add to the endless amount of well deserved praise Madeline has gotten. I've only read one of her works so far and she's probably gonna jump to being my favorite author, which should tell you a lot, I think.
I'll point out the obvious first: The writing is absolutely beautiful, even in the most peaceful and sweet and grotesque and tragic moments. Even translated, it hits ya just right ( which it hit me quite a lot ).
Next to reading the Witcher, I've never emoted so much while reading. While I would laugh, gasp at Jaskier's and Geralts shenanigans, it absolutely does not compare to how I acted while reading this. I understand it's a weird thing to mention, but hear me out: the fact that it had such a huge impact on me that I involuntarily started wiggling n' croaking should tell you how invested I was. I went from squeeling and awing in the beginning, to yelping and groaning, to being ready to fucking murder the person sitting next to me ( I may be still carrying some of that rage, I haven't cried enough to get it out of my system yet ). It is truly masterful how Madeline gets you so unexpectedly invested in the characters, even when they seem unimportant or uninteresting at first.
Reading this book has made me fall in love with Greek mythology again, I went back to playing Hades, and I'm planning on going to therapy. Seems cheesy to say, but I don't think I'll ever be the same after reading this book. I've gotten so much inspiration to start writing again myself, and felt like I learned so much about writing romance, even drama ( war drama? as if i know ). I'm still surprised as to how much impact this book left on me. Kinda feel dumb about it, really.
And you bet I'm buying Circe after this. Don't care what it's about, I just want more of Madeline's magic words upon my eyes. And Odysseus. Never enough of Odysseus.
Also if Madeline aCTUALLY PUBLISHES THE PERSEPHONE BOOK I MIGHT DIE??
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Medical content, Death, Violence, War, and Slavery
Moderate: Homophobia, Pregnancy, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Sexual harassment