Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

La canzone di Achille by Madeline Miller

110 reviews

books_r_cool's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

5.0

I did not expect to have this many feelings. Absolutely hauntingly beautiful.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

• 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

This book was beautiful and devastating. The writing is lush and gorgeous. I felt as if I was there through every part of the book. I truly felt for the characters, wanting the best for them. And let me tell you, I sobbed (hence the “devastating”). This book takes such a modern and inclusive spin as it retells the Iliad. Loved the LGBTQ+ representation. I would recommend this book to anyone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War

bill369's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

• 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

In History and Literature, we are currently learning about antiquity, so I thought it was the perfect time to finally read this book. I didn't expect to be this devastated...

My favourite character, well I love Achilles and Patroclus of course, I love them deeply, honestly, I can't even express it. Then there's Briseis she's my 3rd most favourite. She's intelligent, crafty, loving, she always stood by his side and if you read the book, then you know who I'm talking about. Her part in the story was significant and I'm glad it was her and not some other character. I truly wish it had all ended less tragically, therefore they could live all happy long life. About Thetis, I never really liked her, nevertheless because of the last few pages my heart has melted for her. I feel as if I finally get her a little bit and so even though I hate how she acted, I understand it.

The theme, greek mythology is interesting and tragic. This is my first book with this theme and I do love it. It's informative and in the same time full of emotions. Can't complain. In my opinion, I have remembered a lot and will have the knowledge for future means.

I loved all the parts and most of the themes were my favourite. That's why I'll be sharing the last lines of the story, which are, in my opinion, the most heartbreaking. They just really got to me. Lines:

THE SUN IS SETTING over the sea, spilling its colors on the water’s surface. She is beside me, silent in the blurry, creeping dusk. Her face is as unmarked as the first day I saw her. Her arms are crossed over her chest, as if to hold some thought to herself. I have told her all. I have spared nothing, of any of us. We watch the light sink into the grave of the western sky. “I could not make him a god,” she says. Her jagged voice, rich with grief. But you made him. She does not answer me for a long time, only sits, eyes shining with the last of the dying light. “I have done it,” she says. At first I do not understand. But then I see the tomb, and the marks she has made on the stone. ACHILLES, it reads. And beside it, PATROCLUS. “Go,” she says. “He waits for you.” IN THE DARKNESS, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.

The ending was tragic, full of pain, it brought me severe agony. These were the biggest tears I've had so far in my short life. I just want to say, that I appreciate Thetis for what she's done, because if she hadn't done it, then I wouldn't fall asleep tonight. This way the end is bearable.

It's a five star because it thought me something, it wasn't boring and I finished it after a few days, however most importantly it made me bowl and feel extremely strong emotions, mostly sadness, but that doesn't matter. I have no bad things to say. I don't regret reading it and I will recommend it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Death, Violence, and War

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child death, Medical trauma, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Slavery

bouebooks's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Rape, Slavery, Violence, and War

rachrreads's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I think I expected too much out of this book, but it wasn’t all that great. Madeline Miller’s writing is phenomenal, don’t get me wrong. But I felt like barely anything happened. I get Achilles is this great warrior with a big prophecy to live up to, but he was so freaking annoying. I adored Patroclus and his big heart, but I wasn’t that sad when he died to be honest. I think it was due to there just not being much character development for any of them. Patroclus was always described as someone else’s. First he was his fathers son, then Achilles lover. He was never really his own person and he just did everything for Achilles. Yes, towards the end he does make some of his own choices, but they’re only to save Achilles reputation really. Him doing what he did for Briseis was very admirable though and him caring that their people were dying did make him likable in my book. The one part of this book that did make me sad was Patroclus not being able to rest, so I’m glad Thetis finally let that happen. 

I loved Patroclus and Achilles at times, but again Achilles just really ground my gears. He was a jerk and said it was because they dishonored him. I get it had to be this way due to mythology, but he still just angered me. I was hoping for more development in him and Patroclus and it just didn’t happen for me. I wanted more than just arrogant Achilles

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Violence, and War

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, and Toxic relationship

lucinotlucy's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, War, and Violence

Moderate: Animal death, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Slavery

chloevienna's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, War, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Sexism, Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Medical content, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, and Grief

Minor: Animal death and Self harm

peach_pie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Murder, War, Trafficking, Violence, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexism, Self harm, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Gore, Death, Child death, Child abuse, Body horror, Blood, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Adult/minor relationship

ntvenessa's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• 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

4.25

Oh my heart. Despite knowing this was a Greek tragedy, Miller's storytelling constantly kept me turning pages in hope. The character development of Patroclus and Achilles was especially well done and readers will appreciate the nuance and care invested. The writing balanced both a prophetic and tender voice, willing the story along and keeping you invested. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, although it will scrape at your heartstrings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Transphobia, Violence, and War

Moderate: Abandonment and Emotional abuse

Minor: Dementia, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship

aliceloyallaleon's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Violence, War, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Blood, Body horror, Death, Medical content, Murder, Sexism, and Slavery

Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence