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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
I loved this book honestly.
I think a lot of the difference between those who did not necessarily like the book and those who did was the expectations of them going into reading the book. I began reading the book expecting it to be loosely being based on actual Greek Mythology (meaning The Iliad) and seeing all the characters as different to who they were in the Iliad.
This was honestly a really good love story. The trauma in the background that shows throughout for Patroclus (idc what you say that boy was traumatised) and how it impacted the way he saw himself. I think that's where some people disliked the book, they forgot it was told from the point of view of a boy/man with quite a low self-esteem/self-worth and therefore he will put down his own achievements, especially when he is that close to a demi-god.
I truly believe Patroclus was Achilles' humanity, I think both Patroclus and Thetis/Pyrrhus were used to show the two sides that Achilles had within him.
I definitely would not recommend this book as an accurate telling of The Iliad but would recommend it as exactly what it is, a sad romance novel. It is focused on the story of two lovers, it shows how much Patroclus really loved Achilles and in many parts shows that Achilles loved him just as much.
I think a lot of the difference between those who did not necessarily like the book and those who did was the expectations of them going into reading the book. I began reading the book expecting it to be loosely being based on actual Greek Mythology (meaning The Iliad) and seeing all the characters as different to who they were in the Iliad.
This was honestly a really good love story. The trauma in the background that shows throughout for Patroclus (idc what you say that boy was traumatised) and how it impacted the way he saw himself. I think that's where some people disliked the book, they forgot it was told from the point of view of a boy/man with quite a low self-esteem/self-worth and therefore he will put down his own achievements, especially when he is that close to a demi-god.
I truly believe Patroclus was Achilles' humanity, I think both Patroclus and Thetis/Pyrrhus were used to show the two sides that Achilles had within him.
I definitely would not recommend this book as an accurate telling of The Iliad but would recommend it as exactly what it is, a sad romance novel. It is focused on the story of two lovers, it shows how much Patroclus really loved Achilles and in many parts shows that Achilles loved him just as much.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
I enjoyed this retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus. In the original Illiad, I didn't even remember Patroclus being mentioned. Interesting overall story and I enjoyed the narrator.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read Circe by Madeline Miller last year and the second I finished it, I went out and bought The Song of Achilles. Her writing style is so magnificent and sweeps you up in the characters and their lives. What I loved most about this narrative was how in-depth the characters are explored. Thetis (Achilles' Nymph mother) loves her son, but hates his lover. Her personality is shown through her actions and dialogue. And that applies to every other character. Miller has mastered showing not telling in her stories.
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes