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lisa_setepenre 's review for:
The War That Killed Achilles: The True Story of Homer's Iliad and the Trojan War
by Caroline Alexander
I suspect I would have gotten much more out of The War That Killed Achilles if I'd read Homer's The Iliad. As it is, I've seen the movie Troy, whose main contribution to the world may have been the joke it inspired about Achilles and Patroklus (in conclusion: cousins"), know a couple of quotes, and have vague memories of studying the Trojan War as a historical event at school. The War That Killed Achilles, however, is more focused on The Iliad itself, about what messages Homer was trying to communicate and what served as his inspiration.
Thankfully, however, I was able to appreciate Caroline Alexander's analysis of The Iliad. I can't say whether she adds anything new to the discussion – I just don't know enough about the scholarly work and debates surrounding The Iliad and the Trojan War.
Alexander's view is, however, refreshing in that it contrasts against the views of The Iliad and Achilles that I've absorbed over time. It is not a glorious tale of military bravado, the story of a blood-thirsty, battle-hungry, beloved and supreme warrior. Instead, Alexander's view presents an epic and a hero that are shattered and exhausted by a bitter war, similar to the cataclysmic experiences of soldiers fighting in World War I.
There are other things to say: Alexander's writing is clear, accessible and immensely readable, that The War That Killed Achilles makes me want to read The Iliad and about the historical Trojan War. Ultimately, though, even for a reader inexperienced with Homer, The War That Killed Achilles is an accessible and intriguing book.
Thankfully, however, I was able to appreciate Caroline Alexander's analysis of The Iliad. I can't say whether she adds anything new to the discussion – I just don't know enough about the scholarly work and debates surrounding The Iliad and the Trojan War.
Alexander's view is, however, refreshing in that it contrasts against the views of The Iliad and Achilles that I've absorbed over time. It is not a glorious tale of military bravado, the story of a blood-thirsty, battle-hungry, beloved and supreme warrior. Instead, Alexander's view presents an epic and a hero that are shattered and exhausted by a bitter war, similar to the cataclysmic experiences of soldiers fighting in World War I.
There are other things to say: Alexander's writing is clear, accessible and immensely readable, that The War That Killed Achilles makes me want to read The Iliad and about the historical Trojan War. Ultimately, though, even for a reader inexperienced with Homer, The War That Killed Achilles is an accessible and intriguing book.