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A review by crowcrow
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I am writing this literally after finishing the book. Zues, have mercy on me if i start crying again.
I don't believe there's anything more I can add to the endless amount of well deserved praise Madeline has gotten. I've only read one of her works so far and she's probably gonna jump to being my favorite author, which should tell you a lot, I think.
I'll point out the obvious first: The writing is absolutely beautiful, even in the most peaceful and sweet and grotesque and tragic moments. Even translated, it hits ya just right ( which it hit me quite a lot ).
Next to reading the Witcher, I've never emoted so much while reading. While I would laugh, gasp at Jaskier's and Geralts shenanigans, it absolutely does not compare to how I acted while reading this. I understand it's a weird thing to mention, but hear me out: the fact that it had such a huge impact on me that I involuntarily started wiggling n' croaking should tell you how invested I was. I went from squeeling and awing in the beginning, to yelping and groaning, to being ready to fucking murder the person sitting next to me ( I may be still carrying some of that rage, I haven't cried enough to get it out of my system yet ). It is truly masterful how Madeline gets you so unexpectedly invested in the characters, even when they seem unimportant or uninteresting at first.
Reading this book has made me fall in love with Greek mythology again, I went back to playing Hades, and I'm planning on going to therapy. Seems cheesy to say, but I don't think I'll ever be the same after reading this book. I've gotten so much inspiration to start writing again myself, and felt like I learned so much about writing romance, even drama ( war drama? as if i know ). I'm still surprised as to how much impact this book left on me. Kinda feel dumb about it, really.
And you bet I'm buying Circe after this. Don't care what it's about, I just want more of Madeline's magic words upon my eyes. And Odysseus. Never enough of Odysseus.
Also if Madeline aCTUALLY PUBLISHES THE PERSEPHONE BOOK I MIGHT DIE??
I don't believe there's anything more I can add to the endless amount of well deserved praise Madeline has gotten. I've only read one of her works so far and she's probably gonna jump to being my favorite author, which should tell you a lot, I think.
I'll point out the obvious first: The writing is absolutely beautiful, even in the most peaceful and sweet and grotesque and tragic moments. Even translated, it hits ya just right ( which it hit me quite a lot ).
Next to reading the Witcher, I've never emoted so much while reading. While I would laugh, gasp at Jaskier's and Geralts shenanigans, it absolutely does not compare to how I acted while reading this. I understand it's a weird thing to mention, but hear me out: the fact that it had such a huge impact on me that I involuntarily started wiggling n' croaking should tell you how invested I was. I went from squeeling and awing in the beginning, to yelping and groaning, to being ready to fucking murder the person sitting next to me ( I may be still carrying some of that rage, I haven't cried enough to get it out of my system yet ). It is truly masterful how Madeline gets you so unexpectedly invested in the characters, even when they seem unimportant or uninteresting at first.
Reading this book has made me fall in love with Greek mythology again, I went back to playing Hades, and I'm planning on going to therapy. Seems cheesy to say, but I don't think I'll ever be the same after reading this book. I've gotten so much inspiration to start writing again myself, and felt like I learned so much about writing romance, even drama ( war drama? as if i know ). I'm still surprised as to how much impact this book left on me. Kinda feel dumb about it, really.
And you bet I'm buying Circe after this. Don't care what it's about, I just want more of Madeline's magic words upon my eyes. And Odysseus. Never enough of Odysseus.
Also if Madeline aCTUALLY PUBLISHES THE PERSEPHONE BOOK I MIGHT DIE??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Medical content, Death, Violence, War, and Slavery
Moderate: Homophobia, Pregnancy, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Sexual harassment