A review by wildflowercrypt
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No

2.5

i know it’s beloved, but this book was not for me. Patroclus’ character development came way too late in the game (literally pages before his death), and even though the author went to great lengths to present Achilles as likable, he still read as a self-absorbed dick. i realize Achilles is supposed to be torn between his two natures, humanity and divinity, and Patroclus represented his tie to humanity, but the relationship was so underdeveloped that i barely know what Achilles did to deserve Patroclus’ incessant worship and i certainly don’t know what Achilles saw in Patroclus. yes, Patroclus is kind but that’s not something Achilles, personally, values. Achilles tells his father that he first chose Patroclus as his companion because Patroclus “surprised” him; you were twelve and made weirdly intense eye contact with another twelve-year-old boy while juggling figs. hell of a strange moment to hinge the rest of your life on, just saying…

it does feature some beautifully written passages (you’ve seen them posted out of context all over booktok, instagram, and pinterest); didn’t necessarily underwhelm me but SoA does feel a bit over-hyped. 
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