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A review by peachythi_books
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*Spoilery*
The Song of Achilles is essentially Patroclus’s love letter to Achilles. His collection of memories; of the moments before and after him. The entire story is in Patroclus’ point of view. An insight into his thought process and feelings, when in the Iliad (the original source material) Patroclus was a rather minor character. Often equated to Achilles’ favorite partner, his best-friend, and in some interpretations, his lover. In SoA however, Patroclus is turned into someone with so much more depth. He has this extreme adoration for Achilles that seems almost obsessive. But he was more than Achilles, even when he himself didn’t believe so. It was this aspect to SoA which made their love feel so tender and real. It was like a fairytale romance, but in a way that felt organic. Patroclus never recognized his own worth but could see Achilles’ plain as day. But even without having Achilles’ POV we saw just how important and worthy Patroclus really was. Patroclus is a mortal to Achilles’ divinity. But that showed not through his plainness but through his capacity to empathize and worth he saw in other people. Whereas Achilles saw everyone that wasn’t Patroclus as simply background characters to his legend. SoA is special in that regard. Because Patroclus stole the show when no knew he would. No one except Achilles.
The Song of Achilles is essentially Patroclus’s love letter to Achilles. His collection of memories; of the moments before and after him. The entire story is in Patroclus’ point of view. An insight into his thought process and feelings, when in the Iliad (the original source material) Patroclus was a rather minor character. Often equated to Achilles’ favorite partner, his best-friend, and in some interpretations, his lover. In SoA however, Patroclus is turned into someone with so much more depth. He has this extreme adoration for Achilles that seems almost obsessive. But he was more than Achilles, even when he himself didn’t believe so. It was this aspect to SoA which made their love feel so tender and real. It was like a fairytale romance, but in a way that felt organic. Patroclus never recognized his own worth but could see Achilles’ plain as day. But even without having Achilles’ POV we saw just how important and worthy Patroclus really was. Patroclus is a mortal to Achilles’ divinity. But that showed not through his plainness but through his capacity to empathize and worth he saw in other people. Whereas Achilles saw everyone that wasn’t Patroclus as simply background characters to his legend. SoA is special in that regard. Because Patroclus stole the show when no knew he would. No one except Achilles.