A review by ru_ann_e
The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I truly did not expect to love this book as much as I did. I'd heard all the praise and the reviews, I knew how many people adore it, but I'd read a few pages previously and found it hard to adjust to the style of the prose. I had reserved expectations, and to be frank I was fully prepared for my (personal) experience of it to be it to be an overhyped disappointment
But for some reason, a week or so ago I felt compelled to give it another try. And I kept reading, it gripped me in, despite the writing style (which I soon grew to love as immersive and compelling). I knew it would be sad, how could I not? And yet I was not prepared for how strongly the entire narrative would cut me to the core - not just the ultimate tragedy but the painful nuances and introspection throughout. I did not expect to fall in love with both Patroclus and Achilles the way I did - but oh, how I did, even in their lowest moments. This book took me longer to read than most, not because it wasn't good, but because at times I couldn't bear to pick it up knowing that at times I would be forced to put it down, wrenched inside by grief.
This book got inside my head and heart in an incredible way. It truly deserves the hype it receives, in my opinion. It was painful, but it was als beautiful. And despite the other worldliness of history and legend in both content and prose, it was achingly human and real. The first book I have unhesitatingly considered a 5* read in a good while.
But for some reason, a week or so ago I felt compelled to give it another try. And I kept reading, it gripped me in, despite the writing style (which I soon grew to love as immersive and compelling). I knew it would be sad, how could I not? And yet I was not prepared for how strongly the entire narrative would cut me to the core - not just the ultimate tragedy but the painful nuances and introspection throughout. I did not expect to fall in love with both Patroclus and Achilles the way I did - but oh, how I did, even in their lowest moments. This book took me longer to read than most, not because it wasn't good, but because at times I couldn't bear to pick it up knowing that at times I would be forced to put it down, wrenched inside by grief.
This book got inside my head and heart in an incredible way. It truly deserves the hype it receives, in my opinion. It was painful, but it was als beautiful. And despite the other worldliness of history and legend in both content and prose, it was achingly human and real. The first book I have unhesitatingly considered a 5* read in a good while.