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A review by alingtori
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
I should've managed my expectations on this one.
Don't get me wrong, I devoured this book because of the simple but tender writing. I love how the author decided to tell the story in the perspective of Patroclus, a minor but very key character in the story.
Character-wise, I do not get why the author decided to reduce Patroclus to being the vanilla lover of Achilles. I was so frustrated because throughout this book—especially when they were in Troy—I feel like Patroclus did not exist beyond Achilles and that he is subordinate to him.
In the Iliad, we do not see much of him but in those instances that we do, he is shown not just as a compassionate person, but also as a brave and confident warrior when the need arises. He had oomph--he mocked his opponents, literally telling Hector that he wouldn't have been able to kill him (Patroclus) if not for the help of the gods. I MEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We've only seen glimpses of that, but never fully explored. Which is a shame because it would've brought more flavor to the story.
Story-wise, I don't think the book contributed something new, despite it being told in the eyes of Patroclus.
For me it was a missed opportunity. I would've loved to explore their relationship in the context of their time and their circumstance. What was it like to love someone as great and powerful as Achilles? What were they doing throughout those years that they're in Troy? What do they think of the prophecy that Achilles will die there? Are they actively fighting against it? Did they make plans aside from not killing Hector? Did they dream of the future? What did the future look like for them? What do their fellow Greeks think about their relationship?
Odysseus hinted that Achilles did not kill Hector throughout those years because Hector's death will also bring Achilles'. I wish Miller leaned into that because think of the consequences! Odysseus going in for Achilles' pride???? Patroclus could've felt guilty, especially when he sees the casualties on their side. So he goes to see Achilles and convinces him to let him fight. And then Achilles relents because he trusts & believes that Patroclus can do it (because he is a warrior in his own right), which inadvertently leads him to his death--which you know, is what happens in the Iliad anyway.
Now that's what I call pain.
Don't get me wrong, I devoured this book because of the simple but tender writing. I love how the author decided to tell the story in the perspective of Patroclus, a minor but very key character in the story.
Character-wise, I do not get why the author decided to reduce Patroclus to being the vanilla lover of Achilles. I was so frustrated because throughout this book—especially when they were in Troy—I feel like Patroclus did not exist beyond Achilles and that he is subordinate to him.
In the Iliad, we do not see much of him but in those instances that we do, he is shown not just as a compassionate person, but also as a brave and confident warrior when the need arises. He had oomph--he mocked his opponents, literally telling Hector that he wouldn't have been able to kill him (Patroclus) if not for the help of the gods. I MEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We've only seen glimpses of that, but never fully explored. Which is a shame because it would've brought more flavor to the story.
Story-wise, I don't think the book contributed something new, despite it being told in the eyes of Patroclus.
For me it was a missed opportunity. I would've loved to explore their relationship in the context of their time and their circumstance. What was it like to love someone as great and powerful as Achilles? What were they doing throughout those years that they're in Troy? What do they think of the prophecy that Achilles will die there? Are they actively fighting against it? Did they make plans aside from not killing Hector? Did they dream of the future? What did the future look like for them? What do their fellow Greeks think about their relationship?
Odysseus hinted that Achilles did not kill Hector throughout those years because Hector's death will also bring Achilles'. I wish Miller leaned into that because think of the consequences! Odysseus going in for Achilles' pride???? Patroclus could've felt guilty, especially when he sees the casualties on their side. So he goes to see Achilles and convinces him to let him fight. And then Achilles relents because he trusts & believes that Patroclus can do it (because he is a warrior in his own right), which inadvertently leads him to his death--which you know, is what happens in the Iliad anyway.
Now that's what I call pain.