A review by cestnicka
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous emotional sad medium-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

This was a great book! I thought it was well written and captivating and a great retelling of homers Iliad in a way that is accessible to all readers! This is a debut novel from Madeline miller and it was obvious she had a background in Greek mythology and had put a lot of work into this book. 

This is the retelling of the story of Achilles, a great Greek warrior who is in love with the exiled prince Patroclus. It follows their journey from childhood friends to adulthood and the song of Achilles is a story of love, friendship, and heartbreak. 

I really enjoyed the focus on the two characters and appreciated that she didn't shy away from the homosexuality of Patroclus and Achilles. The characters were really well written and I felt so connected to them throughout the novel. 

I really enjoyed learning about Ancient Greece through this novel. It was very interesting to learn about some of the mythology. 

I did find at times with so many characters getting a bit lost, and that made the book feel a bit long and pulled me away from the story. Otherwise this was a great book and I enjoyed the read!
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