A review by cathy_acasefullofbooks
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No

1.0

Full disclaimer, I know extremely little about the original myth this book is based off of.

Would not have finished this book (actually gave up on it once before going back to finish), but it fits categories for multiple reading challenges I'm doing and it is also an upcoming pick for my book group. So I read it even though I didn't like it one bit. 😂 Here are just a couple of reasons why...

Patroclus had no personality at all and whenever Achilles disappeared from his life he literally couldn't do anything else except search for Achilles. My dude. There are other things in life. If you can't exist as a person outside of your relationship, it is not a good relationship.

Achilles was also very bland and boring. A perfect hero who everyone loves and can do no wrong and was walked all over by many people. He let people control his life and I was over it.

The romance never had me convinced. Beyond a physical attraction (and seemingly addiction to each other), I was never convinced that the two actually had real love for one another. I don't feel like any kind of meaningful connection was shown on page.

It was so slow and boring and I had a hard time keeping my attention on it.

Patroclus sleeping with what's her name after learning she was pregnant with Achilles' child? Can't even BEGIN to tell you how disgusting and messed up that was. Ew. Gross. I need a shower.

This and much more. So much more. Oh, heavens. Sorry to my friends who love this book, but I just can't.