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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
Such a good book! The last third of the book had me on edge. The last few pages of the book had me bawling my eyes out!!
This book gave me true happiness only to snatch it from my hands and tear my soul apart in creative ways. No amount of spoilers will protect you from the tears. It will consume you and then spit you out. It will ruin you. Read it!! :D
This book just underscores what a strong writer Madeline Miller is and highlights her strength in narration. I read Circe first, and prefer that story to this one, but I would recommend them both!
I read this knowing the story of Achilles, but only a bit. I knew what was coming, and expected it.
But the writer has this amazing talent of walking through the years, making you feel like you have lived with Patroclus each step of the way. You feel the years as if you were living through them yourself.
It was heart wrenching, but absolutely beautiful. At the end, despite knowing what would happen, I found myself quietly denying what was going to happen. How it happened.
Then, when Achilles falls:
“He is a man,” Apollo says, “Not a god. Shoot him and he will die.”
It struck me. I expected the whole shoot in the heel like in the story. But this hurt more. It meant more. Despite the good ending (though bittersweet) I still have to remind myself of it. It hurt SO much.
But the writer has this amazing talent of walking through the years, making you feel like you have lived with Patroclus each step of the way. You feel the years as if you were living through them yourself.
It was heart wrenching, but absolutely beautiful. At the end, despite knowing what would happen, I found myself quietly denying what was going to happen. How it happened.
Then, when Achilles falls:
“He is a man,” Apollo says, “Not a god. Shoot him and he will die.”
It struck me. I expected the whole shoot in the heel like in the story. But this hurt more. It meant more. Despite the good ending (though bittersweet) I still have to remind myself of it. It hurt SO much.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Excellent writing and (as a stand-alone story) overall well done. As an adaptation, however, it's a bit lack-lustre and sacrifices the characters' original personalities in the Iliad for the sake of morality and making them likable (I'm looking at you Achilles).
Furthermore, I also found that Patroclus (despite being the MAIN character) was not as fleshed out as he should've been. Throughout the entire story, his sole focus is Achilles and nothing else. I understand this was meant to show his love and adoration for Achilles but you can show that without sacrificing Patroclus' character.
Overall, a somewhat enjoyable story but in no way is it the BEST adaptation of the Iliad.
Furthermore, I also found that Patroclus (despite being the MAIN character) was not as fleshed out as he should've been. Throughout the entire story, his sole focus is Achilles and nothing else. I understand this was meant to show his love and adoration for Achilles but you can show that without sacrificing Patroclus' character.
Overall, a somewhat enjoyable story but in no way is it the BEST adaptation of the Iliad.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Torn between two stars and three so a rating of 2.5 stars.
It was okay. It kept me engaged enough to read it to the end, but I wasn't in love with this book or the main characters.
It was okay. It kept me engaged enough to read it to the end, but I wasn't in love with this book or the main characters.