zischke's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
anthonylwolf's review against another edition
5.0
I'd originally given this book 'only' 4 stars, but whether it matters to give such importance to a simple star rating remains to be discussed. Many books are a lot more than the stars I give them, and this masterpiece by Madeline Miller is no difference.
Since I finished it yesterday, I can't stop thinking about the way in which Madeline was able to depict the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles, the way each character is uniquely characterised, the way (almost) each piece of the puzzle seamlessly falls together to create, effectively, the "Song" of Achilles.
And I say 'almost' because not all pieces are created equal, and some don't necessarily work in the grand scheme of the Song of Achilles. There are some parts in the middle of the book which don't necessarily seem to fit in the overall arc and pace. But still, that's not enough to make it so that this book won't stay with you for a stupidly long time.
I like to think that all the best books I've ever read left me something truly powerful in the end. Something I won't so easily forget for years to come. The beautifully written relationship between Patroclus and Achilles will stay in my heart for a lot more time still. Even though I knew exactly how it would end, being passionate about Greek mythology, I still remained glued to every page.
And to me, the moment a book makes me think that I will never forget what I learned between its covers is the moment that book enters my personal Olympus of the best novels of all time.
And to think I still have to read Circe, which is supposedly even better!
Since I finished it yesterday, I can't stop thinking about the way in which Madeline was able to depict the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles, the way each character is uniquely characterised, the way (almost) each piece of the puzzle seamlessly falls together to create, effectively, the "Song" of Achilles.
And I say 'almost' because not all pieces are created equal, and some don't necessarily work in the grand scheme of the Song of Achilles. There are some parts in the middle of the book which don't necessarily seem to fit in the overall arc and pace. But still, that's not enough to make it so that this book won't stay with you for a stupidly long time.
I like to think that all the best books I've ever read left me something truly powerful in the end. Something I won't so easily forget for years to come. The beautifully written relationship between Patroclus and Achilles will stay in my heart for a lot more time still. Even though I knew exactly how it would end, being passionate about Greek mythology, I still remained glued to every page.
And to me, the moment a book makes me think that I will never forget what I learned between its covers is the moment that book enters my personal Olympus of the best novels of all time.
And to think I still have to read Circe, which is supposedly even better!
herlevareads's review against another edition
5.0
(( Maybe it only deserves four stars, literature-wise, but I loved it so much, and the love, oh, the love that oozes from this book ))
Als je zelf niet tot de hetero-meerderheid behoort ben je al snel tevreden. Misschien dat ik dit boek daarom 5 sterren heb gegeven in plaats van vier, maar ja, ik mag af en toe toch ook een puntje geven voor de sier? Na het debakel 'Troy', waarin ze Patroclus dan maar Achilles' neef maakte om elke mogelijke verwijzing naar homoseksualiteit uit te bannen, is het wel eens fijn om een boek te lezen waarin het verder ook niet echt een probleem is.
Afkeer van homoseksualiteit en mannenliefde is voornamelijk een Christelijk dingetje - de Grieken hadden daar, zo is algemeen bekend, minder last van - en dit boek maakt daar dankbaar gebruik van. De 'awkward' romance tussen twee tienerjongens waarvan de ene weet dat hij nooit de gelijke van de andere zal zijn is schitterend beschreven. En Achilles? Achilles denkt juist dat Patroclus de enige is die hij ooit een gelijke zal kunnen noemen.
Maar zelfs Achilles laat de roem zich uiteindelijk naar het hoofd stijgen - en daar komt juist de tragedie om de hoek kijken.
Als je zelf niet tot de hetero-meerderheid behoort ben je al snel tevreden. Misschien dat ik dit boek daarom 5 sterren heb gegeven in plaats van vier, maar ja, ik mag af en toe toch ook een puntje geven voor de sier? Na het debakel 'Troy', waarin ze Patroclus dan maar Achilles' neef maakte om elke mogelijke verwijzing naar homoseksualiteit uit te bannen, is het wel eens fijn om een boek te lezen waarin het verder ook niet echt een probleem is.
Afkeer van homoseksualiteit en mannenliefde is voornamelijk een Christelijk dingetje - de Grieken hadden daar, zo is algemeen bekend, minder last van - en dit boek maakt daar dankbaar gebruik van. De 'awkward' romance tussen twee tienerjongens waarvan de ene weet dat hij nooit de gelijke van de andere zal zijn is schitterend beschreven. En Achilles? Achilles denkt juist dat Patroclus de enige is die hij ooit een gelijke zal kunnen noemen.
Maar zelfs Achilles laat de roem zich uiteindelijk naar het hoofd stijgen - en daar komt juist de tragedie om de hoek kijken.
frannyb99's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
lauriez's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I had high expectations going in given all the hype this book has received, but I was somewhat disappointed. It took me a while to get into the story, and even then I felt myself continuing more out of curiosity than genuine interest.
I had high expectations going in given all the hype this book has received, but I was somewhat disappointed. It took me a while to get into the story, and even then I felt myself continuing more out of curiosity than genuine interest.
cozywanderlust's review against another edition
5.0
Finished this with tears in my eyes at the beauty of this novel, of the language, of Achilles and Patroclus' love.
siandanielle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
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? No
5.0
saulelukaite's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
slow-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
3.5