A review by bramblebug
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This story is just so beautifully written and well-paced. Every story beat feels so intentional and eloquent. Deeply emotional and rooted in the perspective of a single character, it’s a rollercoaster of feelings and experiences—love, heartache, longing, joy, fear. I’ll always want to return to the atmosphere Miller creates and the tenderness and uncertainty that comes with adolescence and falling in love and facing impossible challenges set in motion by gods and men. 

Also, I have listened to the audiobook multiple times and it is possibly one of the best performances I’ve ever experienced. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, and War

Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Abandonment

Minor: Self harm and Medical content

The historical setting is honest and does not censor (nor really focus on) many of the atrocities committed in its time, especially when it comes to the treatment of women and disabled people.