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A review by dinipandareads
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
5.0
“In the darkness, two shadows, rushing through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood, like a hundred golden urns pouring out the sun.”
4.5 stars rounded up!
I’m bawling like a baby right now. This was a love story that I never knew I wanted and actually didn’t expect. I started crying almost immediately towards the end (when you felt that impending doom) and continued until the very last page. I’m so puffy eyed right now but this book was worth it! That ending really had my emotions all over the place - I’m so sad but also happy - it’s conflicting, but I definitely wish there was more of the book to read! I just want more stories from Patroclus and Achilles and Briseis. Madeline Miller has written such a beautiful story. Her writing is simple but poetic. It’s not overly done in such a way that you’re trying to read between every line to decipher her meaning. Yet I think how she describes characters and scenes, especially relating to Patroclus and Achilles is so magical, and easily transported me to their time/world.
It’s not the most fast paced book but I also felt that I didn’t want to speed through this book as I do others. I’m not overly familiar with Greek Mythology either; most of it I read in high school and not having the best memory, I’ve forgotten many of the gods/goddesses/myths. But I thought this was a refreshing take on one of the most famous heroes. While Patroclus idolizes him and as with everyone, puts him up on that pedestal, he also shares the more vulnerable and intimate parts of his relationship with Achilles. How is it to be half mortal and half God? I think that Miller captured Achilles’ struggle well. Especially as a child and then his development into the more arrogant, flawed, selfish being hellbent on leaving a great legacy, and at the very end, his down fall.
This book took me on such a rollercoaster ride of emotions! I thoroughly enjoyed it and it has made me want to rediscover the world of mythologies. To start, I think I’ll have to read her other book, Circe, ASAP!
4.5 stars rounded up!
I’m bawling like a baby right now. This was a love story that I never knew I wanted and actually didn’t expect. I started crying almost immediately towards the end (when you felt that impending doom) and continued until the very last page. I’m so puffy eyed right now but this book was worth it! That ending really had my emotions all over the place - I’m so sad but also happy - it’s conflicting, but I definitely wish there was more of the book to read! I just want more stories from Patroclus and Achilles and Briseis. Madeline Miller has written such a beautiful story. Her writing is simple but poetic. It’s not overly done in such a way that you’re trying to read between every line to decipher her meaning. Yet I think how she describes characters and scenes, especially relating to Patroclus and Achilles is so magical, and easily transported me to their time/world.
It’s not the most fast paced book but I also felt that I didn’t want to speed through this book as I do others. I’m not overly familiar with Greek Mythology either; most of it I read in high school and not having the best memory, I’ve forgotten many of the gods/goddesses/myths. But I thought this was a refreshing take on one of the most famous heroes. While Patroclus idolizes him and as with everyone, puts him up on that pedestal, he also shares the more vulnerable and intimate parts of his relationship with Achilles. How is it to be half mortal and half God? I think that Miller captured Achilles’ struggle well. Especially as a child and then his development into the more arrogant, flawed, selfish being hellbent on leaving a great legacy, and at the very end, his down fall.
This book took me on such a rollercoaster ride of emotions! I thoroughly enjoyed it and it has made me want to rediscover the world of mythologies. To start, I think I’ll have to read her other book, Circe, ASAP!