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maeverose's review against another edition
Not for me. Plus it had a specific kind of gore that I personally can’t handle so no thnx (my fault for not checking content warnings first…)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Rape, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Animal death, Fatphobia, Vomit, Ableism, and Animal cruelty
Brain gore (graphic) I’m sure I missed content warnings bc I only read 3 chapters..fanboyriot's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Finally finished reading this after having it on my physical TBR for at least five years.
The hype of this was high. Seeing great reviews and positive comments about how amazing the writing was and how sad but good it was.
I’m not gonna lie I only bought it because it was queer and it had Greek mythology in it. I thought despite the angst and it being a historical fiction that I’d like it.
The short review is that I did not like it. I wanted to DNF it so many times but thought maybe I just wasn’t giving it a chance.
I don’t know if it was because of the slower paced chapters or because it was a historical fiction but this book was so boring. I could not wait to be done with it.
The hype of this was high. Seeing great reviews and positive comments about how amazing the writing was and how sad but good it was.
I’m not gonna lie I only bought it because it was queer and it had Greek mythology in it. I thought despite the angst and it being a historical fiction that I’d like it.
The short review is that I did not like it. I wanted to DNF it so many times but thought maybe I just wasn’t giving it a chance.
I don’t know if it was because of the slower paced chapters or because it was a historical fiction but this book was so boring. I could not wait to be done with it.
There were so many moments that it was cringey or just uncomfortable to read. All the spicy moments were awful to get through. And while I understand it was back when people were a lot younger when they were married off or forced to have children but it was just so uncomfortable to read lines like: “Her body, he said, was soft and small as a child’s.” (Chapter 13, page 147)… why is that necessary?? How did that make it into the final edits??
I will say the positive about this was that through everything Achilles and Patroclus had a healthy, honest, and trusting relationship for the most part.
And while the ending was sad it wasn’t as bad as I expected. I think that what Thetis ended up doing in the end helped with that. It was the sweetest thing she had done in that whole book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Classism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Death, Violence, War, Blood, Murder, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Suicide, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Gore, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Animal death, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, Slavery, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Minor: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Ableism, Vomit, Child death, and Trafficking
imaginefishes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.5
i hated the beginning (childhood trauma )
i hated the end (pyrrhus was a dick and i’m glad he was killed )
this is the (almost) embodiment of a greek tragedy, and would have been so if not for the completely idiotic way patroclus dies due to his own hubris against the gods also thetis is annoying
i hated the end (
this is the (almost) embodiment of a greek tragedy, and would have been so if not for
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, War, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Murder, Classism, Bullying, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Animal death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Ableism, and Blood
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
emilieboeger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Found the pacing too slow at times and then too fast at others. The story is set in an incredibly sexist society and the casual tone in which women are mentioned as property is disturbing.
The writing is very beautiful and poetic but in a very digestable way. However it prevented me from really disappearing into the story. Found the characters quite hard to relate to which in the beginning was interesting but towards the end just made it hard to be invested in the story.
The writing is very beautiful and poetic but in a very digestable way. However it prevented me from really disappearing into the story. Found the characters quite hard to relate to which in the beginning was interesting but towards the end just made it hard to be invested in the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Sexism, Murder, and War
Moderate: Slavery, Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Misogyny
Minor: Ableism
camoo3032's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It really immerses you into Greek mythology and the story of Troy and Achilles. I still really enjoyed reading it even though I knew the story of Achilles. I'm not used to reading books written in a first-person perspective so it felt disjointed to me and as if the narrator was distant, but it was still very well done!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Animal death, Classism, Misogyny, and War
Minor: Domestic abuse, Vomit, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
bookgirllife's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.25
The Song of Achilles is probably the most popular (Greek) mythology retelling in the world, and it is so with good reason. I went into this book eager to see what all the hype was about and came out in a sort of melancholy, in the best way possible. I know everyone and their mother says they cried reading this book. I didn’t but I can see why that’s a common reaction. The Song of Achilles is a beautiful love story told through the perspective of Patroclus, Achille’s lover and best friend, as they grow up alongside one another, fall in love, go to war and become heroes in their own right. Madeline Miller did such a fantastic job of telling their story with such care.
Miller’s writes The Song of Achilles as though it were Patroclus’ memoir. I found the pacing was a little slow, but she more than made up for it with the beautiful prose. I think that the pacing was intentional as it gives the reader a lot time with Achilles and Patroclus and allows us to become invested in them. The descriptions of locations, characters and emotions were almost lyrical, befitting the title of the novel.
Achilles is the best of the Greeks in his time. I loved the multifaceted characterisation of Achilles. It was very interesting as he is characterised through the lens of love - the lens of Patroclus and it is a powerful love these two share. One of the first notes I made while reading this was ‘this is so sweet, it’s going to hurt like a bitch, isn’t it?’ Spoiler alert, it did. One of my favourite aspects of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is that it is founded in a deep and true friendship. Patroclus, being an exiled Prince, grew up as an afterthought. Until Achilles entered his life.
You have to admire how, almost single-handedly, Madeline Miller has made Greek mythology retellings not only popular but also incredibly accessible. The heroes are self-contained characters within the confines of the book and no prior knowledge is needed or assumed. The same can also be said of the Ancient Greek world building, for lack of better term, as this is a world that did actually exist. The way in which Miller sets a scene, describes a location, is as much a beauty of this book as the storytelling.
The Song of Achilles touches on all the themes of a Greek epic. There is glory, pride, greed, morality and mortality. The Trojan War as a backdrop for this brings out the best and worst of these characters in wildly different ways. Through it all, the only thing that remains untouched is the love that Achilles and Patroclus share.
I really recommend this book to everyone, whether you’re interested in mythology, historical fiction, romance novels, tales of adventure - there is something in this for everyone. I know I will be revisiting this book in time and reading anything that Madeline Miller chooses to publish in future.
Miller’s writes The Song of Achilles as though it were Patroclus’ memoir. I found the pacing was a little slow, but she more than made up for it with the beautiful prose. I think that the pacing was intentional as it gives the reader a lot time with Achilles and Patroclus and allows us to become invested in them. The descriptions of locations, characters and emotions were almost lyrical, befitting the title of the novel.
Achilles is the best of the Greeks in his time. I loved the multifaceted characterisation of Achilles. It was very interesting as he is characterised through the lens of love - the lens of Patroclus and it is a powerful love these two share. One of the first notes I made while reading this was ‘this is so sweet, it’s going to hurt like a bitch, isn’t it?’ Spoiler alert, it did. One of my favourite aspects of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is that it is founded in a deep and true friendship. Patroclus, being an exiled Prince, grew up as an afterthought. Until Achilles entered his life.
You have to admire how, almost single-handedly, Madeline Miller has made Greek mythology retellings not only popular but also incredibly accessible. The heroes are self-contained characters within the confines of the book and no prior knowledge is needed or assumed. The same can also be said of the Ancient Greek world building, for lack of better term, as this is a world that did actually exist. The way in which Miller sets a scene, describes a location, is as much a beauty of this book as the storytelling.
The Song of Achilles touches on all the themes of a Greek epic. There is glory, pride, greed, morality and mortality. The Trojan War as a backdrop for this brings out the best and worst of these characters in wildly different ways. Through it all, the only thing that remains untouched is the love that Achilles and Patroclus share.
I really recommend this book to everyone, whether you’re interested in mythology, historical fiction, romance novels, tales of adventure - there is something in this for everyone. I know I will be revisiting this book in time and reading anything that Madeline Miller chooses to publish in future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Rape, and Slavery
Minor: Ableism
simone_ebony's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really wasnt sure how I felt about this through most of it. I found Patroclus to be a blank slate, which I know is the point, but it got kind of annoying. But honestly it picked up towards the end and made me cry three times this afternoon even though I knew the ending so... I'd say its worth the read for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, War, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Homophobia
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, Ableism, and Death of parent
onceuponabookcase's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
Having adored Madeline Miller's Circe, I dived right into The Song of Achilles as soon as I finished. Of the two, it's the one I have owned the longest, and now how I wish I had read it when I first bought it. It's absolutely incredible.
One of the reasons I had waited to read The Song of the Achilles was because I knew women are treated horrifically by the Greek army; did I really want to read that, from a man's perspective, when so many books were being published set during the Trojan War from the women's perspectives? I read Mythos by Stephen Fry years ago, and though it doesn't focus on Troy, the amount of rape genuinely shocked me. I didn't want to put myself through that. But having read Circe, I knew wouldn't have a problem with how Miller wrote it. There is talk of rape in The Song of Achilles, but neither Achilles or Patroclus rape anyone in this story. We never see it.
Because the focus of the story isn't really on Achilles as a hero, or his role in the Trojan War. Don't get me wrong, more than half the book is set during the war, and what happens there is integral to the story - there's no way to write a story about Achilles without it being integral. But The Song of Achilles is a love story, and that's its focus. The romance between Patroclus and Achilles. It wasn't the story I was expecting at all. I knew that The Song of Achilles was an m/m story, but I didn't know Patroclus told the story, or that their relationship was the focus. But it's absolutely beautiful.
The story starts when the two are both young boys. It shows the events that lead to Patroclus being exiled from his kingdom and sent to Phthia, how he becomes Achilles' companion, and how they're relationship blossoms. Miller has an incredible way of writing young people and aging them as they live and experience things. I was surprised with how, for the majority of the novel, it felt like a young adult story. That isn't a slight of course, I love YA. But I had assumed it would feel similarly to adult high fantasy that has teenage protagonists; there's a very different tone. There was me worrying originally that Miller's books might be too literary for my tastes, and The Song of Achilles feels a lot like the majority of the books I read. Because she writes teenagers, and first love, so well. The joy they find in each other and their relationship is just so pure and joyous! They're both such good boys, too. Because they are still boys when the Trojan War starts; they might have been considered adults at the time, they are still so young. And they have good hearts, and just wonderful. I adored them.
But then the war does start, and that's where things changed for me. I know the story of the Trojan War; I know how this story ends for Achilles and Patroclus, I knew what was coming. Watching it come was devastating and heartbreaking, knowing what would happen to these two boys I loved. They know the prophecy; if Achilles goes to Troy, he will not return. However, if he doesn't, he will grow old, but he will have no fame or glory. He chooses fame and glory, and slowly but surely, he starts to change. Knowing he will not survive the war with Troy, Achilles' honour becomes everything. He thirsts for fame, admiration, for the pride and excitement he feels in his skill in killing others, the glory it brings him. He starts to become someone I don't really like.
The good, soft boy is still there, underneath it all. During the raids on the towns surrounding Troy, women are captured. They are will become bed-slaves to the generals of the Greek army, claimed as prizes. Being gay, Achilles and Patroclus have no interest in bed-slaves; however, Patroclus cannot bear knowing what will happen to these women, and pleads with Achilles to claim as many as he can, so they are safe. My love for them both soared, though I did notice that this was Patroclus' idea, and that Achilles did it for him. He doesn't care quite as much as Patroclus. When Agamemnon insults and disrespects him by taking Briseis, the first woman they saved from the others, one who has become close to Patroclus, Achilles rages. Not for Briseis, and what will happen to her, but for the insult to him. But Agamemnon has overstepped a line that no-one - the soldiers or the gods - will ignore, and so Achilles is happy to let Agamemnon rape Briseis, because once he does, all hell will rain down upon him. But Patroclus isn't the hero. There is no fame or glory for him, and his honour doesn't matter much when it comes to those he loves, and he loves Briseis. The good at the heart of Achilles is buried underneath the legacy of his legend that he so desperately wants. And it's absolutely heartbreaking to see how Achilles changes effects Patroclus. Their romance was so pure, so beautiful, but now Achilles' glory and honour gets in the way.
The Song of Achilles is beautiful, heartbreaking, devastating, but undeniably stunning story, one that is so full of love and hope. I adored Circe, but I love The Song of Achilles so much more. This book broke and healed my heart, and I can see why so many love it so much. I will absolutely read anything Miller writes in future; she's found herself a place among my favourite authors.
One of the reasons I had waited to read The Song of the Achilles was because I knew women are treated horrifically by the Greek army; did I really want to read that, from a man's perspective, when so many books were being published set during the Trojan War from the women's perspectives? I read Mythos by Stephen Fry years ago, and though it doesn't focus on Troy, the amount of rape genuinely shocked me. I didn't want to put myself through that. But having read Circe, I knew wouldn't have a problem with how Miller wrote it. There is talk of rape in The Song of Achilles, but neither Achilles or Patroclus rape anyone in this story. We never see it.
Because the focus of the story isn't really on Achilles as a hero, or his role in the Trojan War. Don't get me wrong, more than half the book is set during the war, and what happens there is integral to the story - there's no way to write a story about Achilles without it being integral. But The Song of Achilles is a love story, and that's its focus. The romance between Patroclus and Achilles. It wasn't the story I was expecting at all. I knew that The Song of Achilles was an m/m story, but I didn't know Patroclus told the story, or that their relationship was the focus. But it's absolutely beautiful.
The story starts when the two are both young boys. It shows the events that lead to Patroclus being exiled from his kingdom and sent to Phthia, how he becomes Achilles' companion, and how they're relationship blossoms. Miller has an incredible way of writing young people and aging them as they live and experience things. I was surprised with how, for the majority of the novel, it felt like a young adult story. That isn't a slight of course, I love YA. But I had assumed it would feel similarly to adult high fantasy that has teenage protagonists; there's a very different tone. There was me worrying originally that Miller's books might be too literary for my tastes, and The Song of Achilles feels a lot like the majority of the books I read. Because she writes teenagers, and first love, so well. The joy they find in each other and their relationship is just so pure and joyous! They're both such good boys, too. Because they are still boys when the Trojan War starts; they might have been considered adults at the time, they are still so young. And they have good hearts, and just wonderful. I adored them.
But then the war does start, and that's where things changed for me. I know the story of the Trojan War; I know how this story ends for Achilles and Patroclus, I knew what was coming. Watching it come was devastating and heartbreaking, knowing what would happen to these two boys I loved. They know the prophecy; if Achilles goes to Troy, he will not return. However, if he doesn't, he will grow old, but he will have no fame or glory. He chooses fame and glory, and slowly but surely, he starts to change. Knowing he will not survive the war with Troy, Achilles' honour becomes everything. He thirsts for fame, admiration, for the pride and excitement he feels in his skill in killing others, the glory it brings him. He starts to become someone I don't really like.
The good, soft boy is still there, underneath it all. During the raids on the towns surrounding Troy, women are captured. They are will become bed-slaves to the generals of the Greek army, claimed as prizes. Being gay, Achilles and Patroclus have no interest in bed-slaves; however, Patroclus cannot bear knowing what will happen to these women, and pleads with Achilles to claim as many as he can, so they are safe. My love for them both soared, though I did notice that this was Patroclus' idea, and that Achilles did it for him. He doesn't care quite as much as Patroclus. When Agamemnon insults and disrespects him by taking Briseis, the first woman they saved from the others, one who has become close to Patroclus, Achilles rages. Not for Briseis, and what will happen to her, but for the insult to him. But Agamemnon has overstepped a line that no-one - the soldiers or the gods - will ignore, and so Achilles is happy to let Agamemnon rape Briseis, because once he does, all hell will rain down upon him. But Patroclus isn't the hero. There is no fame or glory for him, and his honour doesn't matter much when it comes to those he loves, and he loves Briseis. The good at the heart of Achilles is buried underneath the legacy of his legend that he so desperately wants. And it's absolutely heartbreaking to see how Achilles changes effects Patroclus. Their romance was so pure, so beautiful, but now Achilles' glory and honour gets in the way.
The Song of Achilles is beautiful, heartbreaking, devastating, but undeniably stunning story, one that is so full of love and hope. I adored Circe, but I love The Song of Achilles so much more. This book broke and healed my heart, and I can see why so many love it so much. I will absolutely read anything Miller writes in future; she's found herself a place among my favourite authors.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Grief, Rape, and Self harm
Minor: Vomit and Blood
This book features two on-page sex scenes, one m/m, one f/f (semi-vague); human sacrifice; and numerous rapes, including male rape (all off page).linguistic_goblin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Violence, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Slavery, War, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Sexism
Moderate: Rape and Ableism
Minor: Animal cruelty
tom_23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tw/rape
Oh boy. This book is amazing. can’t help but think it would be better if i’d read the iliad but that’s too long right now so here we are. everything about this book is amazing. it’s like bathing in honey which i realise would be disgusting but please respect the imagery. the characters were rich and loveable. i love patroclus.
Oh boy. This book is amazing. can’t help but think it would be better if i’d read the iliad but that’s too long right now so here we are. everything about this book is amazing. it’s like bathing in honey which i realise would be disgusting but please respect the imagery. the characters were rich and loveable. i love patroclus.
it’s easier to summarise my dislikes so:
- I don’t think enough changed during the very long timespan of the novel. it felt like every chapter started with “and then nine years later” which i think ruined it a bit. i realise that you can’t really do anything about this because of the iliad but nonetheless. despite this, the pace is kept perfectly and it flows like running water
- this is a big one for me, and i know it’s important to the plot but i still don’t like it. Deidamia keeps raping people. with Achilles it felt like it was glossed over too quickly. that’s an important event and i would have liked to see how he dealt with it. and also patroclus. they both went through that and it’s never mentioned again. talking of patroclus, his rape seen was really weird and was the books lowest low. i think being coerced into sex with your boyfriend’s rapist is a lot more traumatic than what we see.
aside from this, a really great book that i really want to talk about. we need to talk about the end oh my god so sad, achilles’ whole descent and patroclus’ ghost. really tragic and very well done. i’m gonna read a lot more greek mythology this year i think
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child death, Death, Grief, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Gore, and Ableism
Minor: Homophobia