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A review by xx_selenite
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
This book isn't perfect, but I do still think it's a very good book.
Let's start with the flaws. The book is a bit long sometimes, especially at the beginning of the war. Some chapters didn't add a lot to the plot.
Also, it's not an exact retelling. That being said, some of the differences can be explained, especially when it comes to Achille's characterisation. He is glorified, but that seems logical considering we follow the story from Patroclus' point of view, and he is not a reliable narrator. That being said, people who have only read this book and not the Iliad tend to have a biased perception of the two characters that never fails to bother me, and many don't realise that we can't apply modern days concepts and labels to a relationship created thousands of years ago.
Finally, the female characters were quite superficial. If Tethys gets more complexity towards the end of the novel, she's just a threatening figure during the 4/5 of the book.
I love Greek mythology, and I'm very picky with retellings, but I genuinely liked this one. I cried my eyes out after reading it. It's well written, with quotes that I still often think about. It's a tragic romance, so definitely something that speaks to me.
I do recommend this book, but I encourage people to then read the Iliad to have a less subjective vision of the events and of Achilles.
Let's start with the flaws. The book is a bit long sometimes, especially at the beginning of the war. Some chapters didn't add a lot to the plot.
Also, it's not an exact retelling. That being said, some of the differences can be explained, especially when it comes to Achille's characterisation. He is glorified, but that seems logical considering we follow the story from Patroclus' point of view, and he is not a reliable narrator. That being said, people who have only read this book and not the Iliad tend to have a biased perception of the two characters that never fails to bother me, and many don't realise that we can't apply modern days concepts and labels to a relationship created thousands of years ago.
Finally, the female characters were quite superficial. If Tethys gets more complexity towards the end of the novel, she's just a threatening figure during the 4/5 of the book.
I love Greek mythology, and I'm very picky with retellings, but I genuinely liked this one. I cried my eyes out after reading it. It's well written, with quotes that I still often think about. It's a tragic romance, so definitely something that speaks to me.
I do recommend this book, but I encourage people to then read the Iliad to have a less subjective vision of the events and of Achilles.