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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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:
No
I love mythological retellings, especially when they’re emotionally devastating.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence
Patroclus, an awkward young prince, is exiled to Phthia to live in the shadow of the kingdom's golden heir, Achilles. He is unwanted and neglected there, lingering in the darkest corners, jealously observing the brilliance of Achilles. Achilles is everything Patroclus is not—powerful, beautiful and godly. Yet their paths mingle beautifully and give way to an unlikely relationship. They grow side-by-side into young men, their bond blossoming with each passing year.
Almost every legend speaks of Achilles' prowess on the battlefield, but to depict him as a lover is an unusual choice. Through Patroclus’ view, however, we get to see his vulnerabilities. He is, after all, still a mortal, albeit an extraordinary one. While he is a deadly warrior to others, to Patroclus he is a soft innocent boy. He plays the lyre, steals figs from trees and laughs himself silly. Not Achilles the Great, but just Achilles. Their childhood days have an idyllic quality to them. Nostalgic, like a summer dream. Watching them grow up, we witness a side to them not described in myths.
When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been abducted, the men of Greece are called to assemble arms and siege Troy. At the tender age of 16, Achilles is forced to claim the role of Aristos Achaion, greatest of the Greeks. Unparalleled pressure is placed upon his young shoulders, urging him to leave behind his boyish tendencies. Throughout the book, we watch him struggling to choose between his life and his honour. Will he die young in exchange for everlasting glory or live a long life in obscurity?
Achilles. Who was he if not miraculous, and radiant? Who was he if not destined for fame?
He heads into war seduced by the promise of fame and Patroclus, out of loyalty to his beloved, supports his cause. There was no choice. Wherever Achilles went, Patroclus would follow- to Phthia, to Troy and even into death. The years of the Trojan war are long and arduous, more so with the bitter knowledge that Achilles is fated to die in that war. Every fibre of their relationship, every moral they uphold is tested. They go through trials and survive hardships, but ultimately succumb to the greedy hands of Fate.
I lay back and tried not to think of the minutes passing. Just yesterday we had a wealth of them. Now each was a drop of heartsblood lost.
The sorrow was so large it threatened to tear through my skin. When he died, all things swift and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.
It requires a special skill to make a tale as well-known as that of Achilles seem fresh. But even so, Madeline Miller does it, with an unexpected narrator and a unique perspective. The pacing is perfect. Although the plot covers a long span of time in a small number of pages, it never feels rushed. It elaborates some episodes of their life at great length while skims over others. This way, the story moves forward steadily without ever dragging on. The book is written in a way very accessible even for people unfamiliar with the Greek classic, bringing us closer to those characters that often seem detached from humanity. It reminds us that a "hero" is first and foremost human. It engenders compassion in us and makes us root for them although we know the story is bound to end tragically.
The Song of Achilles sings of the fall of Troy. But more specifically, it sings of Achilles and Patroclus. It laments over their undying, all-consuming love. Over the sacrifices they make on the altar of that love. It is the age of heroes in Ancient Greece and men quest for eternal fame. But is that fame worth all the loss that comes with it?
Almost every legend speaks of Achilles' prowess on the battlefield, but to depict him as a lover is an unusual choice. Through Patroclus’ view, however, we get to see his vulnerabilities. He is, after all, still a mortal, albeit an extraordinary one. While he is a deadly warrior to others, to Patroclus he is a soft innocent boy. He plays the lyre, steals figs from trees and laughs himself silly. Not Achilles the Great, but just Achilles. Their childhood days have an idyllic quality to them. Nostalgic, like a summer dream. Watching them grow up, we witness a side to them not described in myths.
When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been abducted, the men of Greece are called to assemble arms and siege Troy. At the tender age of 16, Achilles is forced to claim the role of Aristos Achaion, greatest of the Greeks. Unparalleled pressure is placed upon his young shoulders, urging him to leave behind his boyish tendencies. Throughout the book, we watch him struggling to choose between his life and his honour. Will he die young in exchange for everlasting glory or live a long life in obscurity?
Achilles. Who was he if not miraculous, and radiant? Who was he if not destined for fame?
He heads into war seduced by the promise of fame and Patroclus, out of loyalty to his beloved, supports his cause. There was no choice. Wherever Achilles went, Patroclus would follow- to Phthia, to Troy and even into death. The years of the Trojan war are long and arduous, more so with the bitter knowledge that Achilles is fated to die in that war. Every fibre of their relationship, every moral they uphold is tested. They go through trials and survive hardships, but ultimately succumb to the greedy hands of Fate.
I lay back and tried not to think of the minutes passing. Just yesterday we had a wealth of them. Now each was a drop of heartsblood lost.
The sorrow was so large it threatened to tear through my skin. When he died, all things swift and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.
It requires a special skill to make a tale as well-known as that of Achilles seem fresh. But even so, Madeline Miller does it, with an unexpected narrator and a unique perspective. The pacing is perfect. Although the plot covers a long span of time in a small number of pages, it never feels rushed. It elaborates some episodes of their life at great length while skims over others. This way, the story moves forward steadily without ever dragging on. The book is written in a way very accessible even for people unfamiliar with the Greek classic, bringing us closer to those characters that often seem detached from humanity. It reminds us that a "hero" is first and foremost human. It engenders compassion in us and makes us root for them although we know the story is bound to end tragically.
The Song of Achilles sings of the fall of Troy. But more specifically, it sings of Achilles and Patroclus. It laments over their undying, all-consuming love. Over the sacrifices they make on the altar of that love. It is the age of heroes in Ancient Greece and men quest for eternal fame. But is that fame worth all the loss that comes with it?
