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A review by anthonylwolf
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
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!