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saintmare's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I think this book is nearly perfect. It's clear a lot of research went into this book and the tone matches the fact it's a Greek retelling. At some points I thought some descriptions were a bit too repetitive, though it matched with the tone of the book. I think the scope was well chosen and executed. The prose was lovely, at points drawing from the descriptions in epics.
In some way, this book is limited by the fact it's a retelling. You cannot divorce Achilles and Patroclus from their roots, from the violence of their origins and by portraying them as more sympathetic than they sometimes are in their original stories to focus on their bond, a choice is made. It's perfect for this book, but it's a limitation, one I can't describe it better without talking in circles.
I recommend this book nonetheless. It did make me cry.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Minor: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Transphobia
By transphobia, I mean specifically transmisogyny.captainoliimar's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
nannahnannah's review against another edition
Warning:
Discussions of rape in this review.
I was so excited for this book. It seems to be everywhere, and everyone loves it. My disappointment is … massive.
My first impression was that the writing was, in fact, very good. I have seen quotes from The Song of Achilles around my socials, so I know Madeline Miller can write, but her prose really is gorgeous. Unfortunately it all became flowery and empty when her lovely writing was reserved for describing Achilles, and that only. It left a sweetly sick taste in my mouth.
But I could live with that, of course.
What made me stop reading was the overwhelming presence of misogyny and the rape. I understand this takes place in ancient Greece, and that women didn’t have the best lives, I do, but this is also supposed to be a YA book, and I think the author maybe forgot who she was writing for when trying to make her book … I don’t know, historically accurate or something. I’m well aware Zeus, for example, “ravished” many mortal women, and the book does mention his “conquests”, too, but at one point early on in the backstory, a human man rapes a goddess, and we see the man’s side. [Spoiler used for disturbing content:]
I’m a survivor, and I just can’t handle this. I don’t really care how great the love story of Patroclus and Achilles is. I’m going to read something else.
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Fatphobia
also: taking the side & pov of the rapistmaeverose's review against another edition
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Fatphobia, and Vomit
Brain gore (graphic) I’m sure I missed content warnings bc I only read 3 chapters..nerdkitten's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Excrement, Vomit, and Pregnancy
dniespal's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Medical content, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Incest, Excrement, Cannibalism, and Alcohol