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kathrynleereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Song of Achilles is one I had such high hopes for after hearing so many amazing things about it, but I just didn’t feel drawn into the story.
With every multi-year time jump, I felt as if I had whiplash. If I’m adding correctly the book spanned a total of 18 years (ages 9 to 27 for Patroclus), which was just too wide a time frame.
Because of the time jumps, Achilles’ character development felt spotty and incomplete. Patroclus, on the other hand, seemed to go through all of his character growth within the final few chapters, which was just as jarring.
Speaking of the final few chapters…
I’ll admit, I did shed quite a few tears at the end of the book, but that’s only because of the characters’ reactions to everything that unfolded.
One second Patroclus was in the chariot, and the next he was at the wall of Troy, being surrounded by the Trojan army.
I understand that Miller was demonstrating the draw of power in the scene, but it was so out of character for Patroclus that it took me right out of the story.
The only aspect of this book I have no complaints about is Briseis. Her character helped demonstrate the severity of war atrocities, while also helping mark time.
Briseis’ friendship with Patroclus was the only thing that kept me reading this book.
She was so kind and understanding, even after the horrors that she had gone through (and was yet to go through) because of the war.
All in all, I think this book was just not for me. Reading other reviews for The Song of Achilles, I recognize all the aspects that are being applauded, I just think Miller’s writing style was not for me.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death and Bullying
redefiningrachel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
m_r3ads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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: Death, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Slavery, and Grief
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
komiification's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Self harm, and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Alcohol
to_many_books_and0money'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
3.0
Graphic: War
Moderate: Sexism and Violence
Minor: Rape, Slavery, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
fluffy1st's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Medical content and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Pregnancy
sirenricobooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Medical content, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Outing, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
crowcrow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I don't believe there's anything more I can add to the endless amount of well deserved praise Madeline has gotten. I've only read one of her works so far and she's probably gonna jump to being my favorite author, which should tell you a lot, I think.
I'll point out the obvious first: The writing is absolutely beautiful, even in the most peaceful and sweet and grotesque and tragic moments. Even translated, it hits ya just right ( which it hit me quite a lot ).
Next to reading the Witcher, I've never emoted so much while reading. While I would laugh, gasp at Jaskier's and Geralts shenanigans, it absolutely does not compare to how I acted while reading this. I understand it's a weird thing to mention, but hear me out: the fact that it had such a huge impact on me that I involuntarily started wiggling n' croaking should tell you how invested I was. I went from squeeling and awing in the beginning, to yelping and groaning, to being ready to fucking murder the person sitting next to me ( I may be still carrying some of that rage, I haven't cried enough to get it out of my system yet ). It is truly masterful how Madeline gets you so unexpectedly invested in the characters, even when they seem unimportant or uninteresting at first.
Reading this book has made me fall in love with Greek mythology again, I went back to playing Hades, and I'm planning on going to therapy. Seems cheesy to say, but I don't think I'll ever be the same after reading this book. I've gotten so much inspiration to start writing again myself, and felt like I learned so much about writing romance, even drama ( war drama? as if i know ). I'm still surprised as to how much impact this book left on me. Kinda feel dumb about it, really.
And you bet I'm buying Circe after this. Don't care what it's about, I just want more of Madeline's magic words upon my eyes. And Odysseus. Never enough of Odysseus.
Also if Madeline aCTUALLY PUBLISHES THE PERSEPHONE BOOK I MIGHT DIE??
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
_al's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Writing was main thing of this book for me. Madeline Miller's prose is so captivating and smooth, I'm amazed each time I opened the book. But I wanted more from Patroclus. Patroclus has such interesting stuff going on but just a bit more of..basically everything would be so good.
I enjoyed Achilles and I enjoyed reading about him and his struggles between love, social expectations and desire for glory. I don't think it was handled perfectly from start to finish because there are moments that felt almost awkward but overall he was one of best parts of the book.
But overall, I enjoyed it – i had fun, characters were interesting to follow, their relationship is beautiful and i felt for them and it resurrected my love for mythology and give me interest to ancient history. Maybe reread it when i need the distraction with feelings. And definitely will check out Circe in near future.
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
karly_ackley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Slavery, and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy