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fflur_jones's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
A beautiful beautiful book. Despite knowing Achilles' story this retelling is done so cleverly that I was completely engrossed and finished the whole thing in one afternoon.
The only part I wasn't such a fan of was the retelling of Briseis' story and the way it recast Achilles/Patroclus as her saviours, as "good guys", even though she was owned by them. That re-imagining felt a little heavy handed and unrealistic in the context of war in Ancient Greece where women were trophies to be won and bartered.
Other than that this book was stunning!
A beautiful beautiful book. Despite knowing Achilles' story this retelling is done so cleverly that I was completely engrossed and finished the whole thing in one afternoon.
The only part I wasn't such a fan of was the retelling of Briseis' story and the way it recast Achilles/Patroclus as her saviours, as "good guys", even though she was owned by them. That re-imagining felt a little heavy handed and unrealistic in the context of war in Ancient Greece where women were trophies to be won and bartered.
Other than that this book was stunning!
joel_joyce's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
Literally nothing bad i could find about this book. The writing was delicious, the end left me wondering why I hadn't savored the last chapter more.
angiethebanangie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
fantasynovel's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Wow. This book was beautiful, stunning, transcendent. Every sentenced pulled me a little bit deeper into the world of Achilles and Patroclus, until I was submerged. And I know ostensibly this book doesn't have a happy ending--if you know the story of the Iliad, you know what's coming. But here's the thing: in a world with an afterlife, death doesn't have to be so sad. The book literally ends with Achilles and Patroclus clasping hands, ready to spend eternity with each other.
It loses .5 stars for two reasons:
1. When Patroclus and Achilles first become friends, there's too much summary. We learn what they do with each other to pass the time--races and games and conversation--but we don't see enough of it. Their friendship didn't really make so much sense until we see small scenes between them.
2. The tense kept switching from past to present to past to present. I know it's a device to make you feel more "in the moment" at certain points, but I didn't like it.
Even though I gave it 4.5 stars, I'm in love with this book. 5 stars at heart, I guess? ;jakdlfjl;kajsdlfkjkdkajl;kjadf this book was so good!!!
Edit: Okay, it's been like five hours since I finished this book, and the fact that it exists just makes me. So. Happy. Like, I'm sitting over here, stressed out about my research paper, and then I think, "Wow, 'The Song of Achilles' exists! It's so good!" and my stress kind of goes back down a little. This book, you guys. I'm in love.
Wow. This book was beautiful, stunning, transcendent. Every sentenced pulled me a little bit deeper into the world of Achilles and Patroclus, until I was submerged. And I know ostensibly this book doesn't have a happy ending--if you know the story of the Iliad, you know what's coming. But here's the thing: in a world with an afterlife, death doesn't have to be so sad. The book literally ends with Achilles and Patroclus clasping hands, ready to spend eternity with each other.
It loses .5 stars for two reasons:
1. When Patroclus and Achilles first become friends, there's too much summary. We learn what they do with each other to pass the time--races and games and conversation--but we don't see enough of it. Their friendship didn't really make so much sense until we see small scenes between them.
2. The tense kept switching from past to present to past to present. I know it's a device to make you feel more "in the moment" at certain points, but I didn't like it.
Even though I gave it 4.5 stars, I'm in love with this book. 5 stars at heart, I guess? ;jakdlfjl;kajsdlfkjkdkajl;kjadf this book was so good!!!
Edit: Okay, it's been like five hours since I finished this book, and the fact that it exists just makes me. So. Happy. Like, I'm sitting over here, stressed out about my research paper, and then I think, "Wow, 'The Song of Achilles' exists! It's so good!" and my stress kind of goes back down a little. This book, you guys. I'm in love.
pr1_yaa's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
dreaminthepages's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
My overall thoughts on this: the writing was beautiful and scenic and it made it seem so real. I really enjoyed the character developments and know from reading Circe that this seems to be one of the authors strengths and she knowd how to do it well. I loved the turn from boy to man with too much pride and arrogance shown in Achilles. I also liked how Patroclus developed into a mature young man eventually. They balanced each other out!
I loved all the characters and grew attached to them even Ajax! Odysseus was one of my favourites and I feel inclined to read The Odyssey at some point
The last few chapters were little bit draggy but this could be because I was super eager to finish it on a certain day so that I could also move into my next read (must stop doing this!) And so ended up reading it when I was too tired. But also loved them at the same time especially after theu had both died...the wording was beautiful and really pulled at my heartstrings! I also found it strange that the author continued writing in Patroclus pov after he died nd for a moment didnt realise it would be in first person anymore but then toward the end I think this is what made me feel all the feels! Inalso liked how the story went beyond them as we were introduced to Pyrrhus, Achilles awful awful child! This story was also very much about Thetis and her accepting her son the way he was which had the most satisfying ending!
I think overall its a 4.5 stars can't really fault it and beautiful story but in some places a little draggy
My overall thoughts on this: the writing was beautiful and scenic and it made it seem so real. I really enjoyed the character developments and know from reading Circe that this seems to be one of the authors strengths and she knowd how to do it well. I loved the turn from boy to man with too much pride and arrogance shown in Achilles. I also liked how Patroclus developed into a mature young man eventually. They balanced each other out!
I loved all the characters and grew attached to them even Ajax! Odysseus was one of my favourites and I feel inclined to read The Odyssey at some point
The last few chapters were little bit draggy but this could be because I was super eager to finish it on a certain day so that I could also move into my next read (must stop doing this!) And so ended up reading it when I was too tired. But also loved them at the same time especially after theu had both died...the wording was beautiful and really pulled at my heartstrings! I also found it strange that the author continued writing in Patroclus pov after he died nd for a moment didnt realise it would be in first person anymore but then toward the end I think this is what made me feel all the feels! Inalso liked how the story went beyond them as we were introduced to Pyrrhus, Achilles awful awful child! This story was also very much about Thetis and her accepting her son the way he was which had the most satisfying ending!
I think overall its a 4.5 stars can't really fault it and beautiful story but in some places a little draggy
jcewbank's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-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
5.0
ipsita's review against another edition
5.0
I'm suffering, I'm crying so much (*_*)
I don't think I'll ever be able to move on from this... This book was just so beautiful, I don't have enough words for it, but one thing for sure you'll feel too much, love it too much after reading it and you'll be sucked into this beautiful world of love and friendship, written so brilliantly and with so much care by Madeline Miller. I wish I had read this book earlier, but I'm glad I did it now. I enjoyed every single word and phrases, and pages of it, and I wish I could stay between those beautiful moments forever & never leave. Oh how I wish I could do that now :'(
I don't think I'll ever be able to move on from this... This book was just so beautiful, I don't have enough words for it, but one thing for sure you'll feel too much, love it too much after reading it and you'll be sucked into this beautiful world of love and friendship, written so brilliantly and with so much care by Madeline Miller. I wish I had read this book earlier, but I'm glad I did it now. I enjoyed every single word and phrases, and pages of it, and I wish I could stay between those beautiful moments forever & never leave. Oh how I wish I could do that now :'(
howlsbreakfast's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0