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A review by talknerdybookblog
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Representation: mlm main character, mlm supporting character, mlm central romantic relationship
Safety Rating: Not Safe
• Kind of has cheating
– this part is complicated because Patroclus and Achilles never agree that they're in an exclusive relationship. And, because of the machinations of those around them, neither assumed they could be faithful to each other.
– For example, Achilles's mother hatches a plot to protect him from serving in the Troy war. The result is Achilles marries and impregnants a daughter of a king in secrecy at his mother's bidding. He does this <i>after</i> Patroclus have been lovers for around ~3 years. Patroclus forgives Achilles because it is evident Achilles is completely uninterested in the OW and only wants Patroclus. Achilles is faithful from that moment onward.
– Patroclus has sex with Achilles wife <i>after</i> reuniting with Achilles, and he never tells Achilles. Patroclus was trying to be nice and comfort her after she realized Achilles loved Patroclus and would never love her.
– Patroclus has an emotionally intimate relationship with Breiseis, who was claimed as a war prize by Achilles. Breiseis falls in love with Patroclus but he makes it clear he loves Achilles. However, his narrative reveals if he had never met Achilles, he could see himself marrying and having children with Breiseis.
• Does have OW drama (see above)
• No OM drama
• No pushing away
• Does have ~2-month separation between Patroclus and Achilles
– Enough time has to pass for Achilles to meet, marry and impregnate the princess (and for her to know she's pregnant)
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Murder
• Gore
• Allusion to r@pe of side characters
• Threat of r@pe (not by or to Patroclus or Achilles)
• Neglectful parents
Ending:Bittersweet. Patroclus is killed by Hector while impersonating Achilles on the battlefield. Achilles goes to the battlefield each day after courting death; he smiles when he's finally killed by Paris's god blessed arrow. Eventually, the souls of Patroclus and Achilles reunite in the underworld.
Safety Rating: Not Safe
• Kind of has cheating
– this part is complicated because Patroclus and Achilles never agree that they're in an exclusive relationship. And, because of the machinations of those around them, neither assumed they could be faithful to each other.
– For example, Achilles's mother hatches a plot to protect him from serving in the Troy war. The result is Achilles marries and impregnants a daughter of a king in secrecy at his mother's bidding. He does this <i>after</i> Patroclus have been lovers for around ~3 years. Patroclus forgives Achilles because it is evident Achilles is completely uninterested in the OW and only wants Patroclus. Achilles is faithful from that moment onward.
– Patroclus has sex with Achilles wife <i>after</i> reuniting with Achilles, and he never tells Achilles. Patroclus was trying to be nice and comfort her after she realized Achilles loved Patroclus and would never love her.
– Patroclus has an emotionally intimate relationship with Breiseis, who was claimed as a war prize by Achilles. Breiseis falls in love with Patroclus but he makes it clear he loves Achilles. However, his narrative reveals if he had never met Achilles, he could see himself marrying and having children with Breiseis.
• Does have OW drama (see above)
• No OM drama
• No pushing away
• Does have ~2-month separation between Patroclus and Achilles
– Enough time has to pass for Achilles to meet, marry and impregnate the princess (and for her to know she's pregnant)
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Murder
• Gore
• Allusion to r@pe of side characters
• Threat of r@pe (not by or to Patroclus or Achilles)
• Neglectful parents
Ending: