From the Bookshelf of Ranters and Reviewers…

The Song of Achilles

Madeline Miller

Start date: March 1, 2021

Finish date: March 31, 2021

Discussion: BOTM

Why we're reading this: March Standalone BOTM
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November 2021 Series BOTM Suggestions
By Sofia , duckish things · 9 posts · 19 views

last updated Oct 21, 2021 11:56PM

October 2021 Continuation BOTM: The Wicked King
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last updated Oct 21, 2021 11:55PM

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What Members Thought

Feb 06, 2022 Charmel rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, lgbtq-rep

I finally finished this after a month!! Phew
I will be half-thrashing this book.

Pre-review:

if this won't hurt me then i will be thrashing this book ...more

67 likes · Like · see review

Jan 16, 2022 ⛅ Sunny (sunnysidereviews) ⛅ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-that-made-me-cry

4.25 stars!

I really adored the original premise! I’m very new to greek mythology, so I was intrigued to see how the book would play out. At first, the story was much too confusing. There were a lot of greek mythology terms used that I simply didn’t understand. Yes, I could have looked at the glossary. But in all honestly, I didn’t notice it until after I finished the book – which is entirely a fault on my part. However, I just wish the world was built in a way that readers could go into the book 4.25 stars!

I really adored the original premise! I’m very new to greek mythology, so I was intrigued to see how the book would play out. At first, the story was much too confusing. There were a lot of greek mythology terms used that I simply didn’t understand. Yes, I could have looked at the glossary. But in all honestly, I didn’t notice it until after I finished the book – which is entirely a fault on my part. However, I just wish the world was built in a way that readers could go into the book with no prior knowledge of Greek mythology.

Alright, so let’s talk about the characters. When reading the title, I assumed The Song of Achilles would be about, well, Achilles. However, it was told through Patrolclus’ point of view. Luckily, I loved that! Patroclus is such a likable character. He’s empathetic and goes through a lot of growth throughout the story. He also had such an intuitive nature. He was kind and determined in such a powerful yet quiet way. Unfortunately though, I was not fond of Achilles. He was selfish. Achilles did anything he could to protect his honour, even if it meant hurting the ones he loved. To me, there is nothing honourable about that. Also, I disliked the way women were portrayed in the book. They were constantly seen as ‘lesser beings’. It made me very uncomfortable, and definitely affected my overall enjoyment of the story. On a better note, I absolutely loved Briseis!! She was such a charming character, and is basically the female version of Patroclus, but much more inquisitive. Moreover, I loved seeing the different relationships Patroclus had with the characters. Achilles and Patroclus had such a unique dynamic, they worked so well together.

Luckily, I adored the dialogue! It really tugged on my heartstrings. The dialogue carried so much emotion. One thing I loved about the story, was how intense the character interactions were. It could literally just be Patroclus and some random side character – but the way Madeline Miller executes these scenes elevates the book to a whole new level.

The writing in The Song of Achilles was impeccable! The prose was amazing. Madeline Miller’s writing style is truly captivating and beautiful. However, the pacing was very uneven. Within the span of a couple of pages, many years pass. This affected my overall enjoyment of the story, because it left no time for me to wonder what would happen next. Something minor that also annoyed me a teensy bit, was how often the words ‘swollen bellies’ were used. I believe it was used as a synonym for pregnant, but it was simply too repetitive.

Overall, The Song of Achilles was a unique experience. It was out of my comfort zone, so I’m really happy I read it! While I couldn’t overlook some aspects of the story, I definitely recommend this novel to new historical fiction fans. However, if you’re new to greek mythology like me, be sure to read the glossary at the back of the book. I’m sure my reading experience would have been better if I could connect more with the wold building. Also, the ending was also incredibly frustrating. Nevertheless, it sure is an unforgettable story. :)

More reviews like this on my blog https://sunnysidereviews.wordpress.com/ . ...more

41 likes · Like · see review

May 16, 2021 Sophia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

4.5/5 stars

“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”

I am….speechless. Unfortunately, I still did not cry during this book, but I am still sad.

As your local picky-ass reader, I hereby declare this book worthy of all the hype it gets.

Okay, Okay, you might be wondering why this is not a five star book, and I will get to that, but I mostly want to talk about ...more

29 likes · Like · see review

Oct 15, 2021 stu rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars, books-read-in-2021, buddy-reads, buddy-reads-2021

Well everyone said I'd be pretty much broken by the end

Am i? NOpe (view spoiler)

this did made me feel things like right now though i have no idea what im feeling ...more

27 likes · Like · see review

Jul 28, 2021 Hershey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: need-to-review, ahhhhhhhh, yay-booktok, expectations-at-mt-everest, hype-with-a-capital-h, my-heart-my-heart, lgbtq, dam-i-got-feelings, dark-academia, bawling

Me after reading this book:

I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here
cause I remember it all, all, all (too well)
They say all's well that end's well but I'm in a new hell every time, (I think about this book)
They said if I had read The Song of Achilles, I'd not be fine
And they were totally right ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2021 dhuha rated it it was ok

Shelves: mixed-feelings, the-hype-was-a-lie, i-hate-you-i-love-you

sad...sad...sad
Set in Ancient Greece, with an enormous burden of a dangerous prophecy... Achilles is meant to be the greatest of the Greeks but his glory will be short lived as he's foreseen to die in the hands of Hector in the Trojan War. Achilles and his companion, Patroclus, fight all odds together to find peace but the Fates have a different story for them...
*not me crying every time I think of the book*
Good read!!
EDIT**
Time to be honest though- it was also slow paced, a bit ancient and kind ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 17, 2021 Max rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-would-die-for

still one of my favourites🥰🥰🥰

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 05, 2022 Whitney Gitaari rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Respectfully, leave me alone 🤧

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 03, 2021 sophia rated it it was amazing

BREATHTAKING

2 likes · Like · see review

May 26, 2021 Hershey rated it really liked it

I cried where I least expected to cry. I am not saying that this book will be a tearjerker, give you a good cry, heartbreaking et cetera. But it is close. It gave me new insights on all the Greek characters I thought I knew so well... Miller just stunned me with her writing and how she carries the story. There was not a single moment where I thought the writing to be lagging, so basically a fantastic book! Read it folks and fall in love with the romantic tragedy of Patroclus and Achilles.

1 like · Like · see review