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camille_fatalfloor 's review for:
The Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4-4.5 stars. There's a random phrase that stuck with me — Our world was one of blood — and it's a good summary of why this book was such an emotional read for me.
We generally know the threads of Greek tragedy and epics, with their accounts of human folly and foibles, and this particular story is a familiar thread. Miller takes us by the hand and pulls us gently along, rewinding the thread of Achilles and Patroclus' love story surely and elegantly. It feels natural and pure, and we know it's a beautiful love, one not often found.
It stings all the more because we know what inevitably awaits, and because Miller emphasises the role of Achilles' hubris, and the rarity that is the existence of Patroclus, best of the Myrmidons. This is what makes tragedy as a literary genre so brilliant, but it somehow hurts more to read about this happening to this pair of lovers because it's an excellent queer love story. In another world, perhaps, and that what could have been breaks my goddamn heart.
We generally know the threads of Greek tragedy and epics, with their accounts of human folly and foibles, and this particular story is a familiar thread. Miller takes us by the hand and pulls us gently along, rewinding the thread of Achilles and Patroclus' love story surely and elegantly. It feels natural and pure, and we know it's a beautiful love, one not often found.
It stings all the more because we know what inevitably awaits, and because Miller emphasises the role of Achilles' hubris, and the rarity that is the existence of Patroclus, best of the Myrmidons. This is what makes tragedy as a literary genre so brilliant, but it somehow hurts more to read about this happening to this pair of lovers because it's an excellent queer love story. In another world, perhaps, and that what could have been breaks my goddamn heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Violence
Minor: Animal death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence