Book Review | The Song of Achilles
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- Опубліковано 9 гру 2017
- Here are my thoughts on The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller! Have you checked this one out yet? What were your thoughts?! Leave them in the comments!
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he must have huge arms after holding the book up for the whole video.
Natalia Gonzalez 💪🏼 holding it up keeps me from using my hands too much while talking.
Omg I love this book, and I cried so much at the end... Now that I watched your review I just want to re-read it 😅
Finished this book. 5 stars. Patroclus resonated with me in a lot of ways and it was a smart move from Madeline Miller to tell this Homer-legacy of an epic in the perspective of Patroclus. I was so moved by it, it made me love Achilles and Patroclus even more. They're one of my favorite characters in the entire Greek mythology, and their relationship was so pure, so human, bound to fail in every step of the way, but it's just so true and powerful.
Patroclus was, indeed and obviously, an everyman. He was a prince, but exiled, and is just ordinary. He was an outcast, introverted, and I found some sort of comfort in his personality, in his character. That's the most striking thing about Patroclus because he was never a violent person, he's quite, compassinlonate and a very gentle guy. I was also heartbroken and at the same time I lament with Achilles' loss, it was so mad that no amount of existential deaths portrayed in any story can surpass Achilles' grief. Patroclus was indeed Achilles' song unsung. ❤ And I'm super relieved that Patroclus and Achilles reunited in the afterlife. I thought they're not gonna be together in the end because I'd be soooo pisseeedddd.
I really commend Madeline Miller's take on Homer's Iliad. I loved the Iliad when I was a child and I am glad I didn't regret reading this re-telling of the story. Much love to her!
I think you should start a channel/blog/something! I think people would really like to see/hear your opinions on books because this was much better expressed than I could do lol
You put my exact thoughts in words👏🏼👏🏼 I loved this book so much but it broke me
Which means: you are bottom.
"She must've done a lot of research" BISH SHE'S A CLASSICIST lol
Lol I majored in Classic Studies. Still takes a lot of research.
@@ConnorOBrien she spent ten years writing it, so yes, definitely lots of research
I read through the book in a few hours and I enjoyed every minute of it. I knew how it would end and yet it totally shook me. The relationship between the two and how it blossoms over the years made my heart burst.
Right!? I knew how their story ends, but I was still really into it and wanting to follow it all the way to the end. Ugh!
I came to this book thinking it was the same as the movie and it shock me when the romance hits between achilles and patroclus. Im a straight guy and enjoyed every bit of it.
I read this book over a year ago, and I vowed to never read it again because as much as I loved the story, and the mythology, and the writing style... it broke my (very gay) heart. Jump to the present day and I’ve done a reread (this time with the audiobook) and hot damn lol. Kind of broke me again, but this story is worth it. ✌🏻👍🏻
Same! At the end I was still sad. I went back to re-read the last chapter to see if I would feel differently. Somehow, even though there’s that passage of consolation at the end, I was still left heartbroken. For days!
I read it and also adored it! It was such a surprisingly gentle story for what is supposed to be one of the great epics. That's what made me love it. I think the only thing I found odd was Patroclus is supposed to be the older one? But got over that in a hurry after I fell in love with his gentle nature!
Madeline Miller studied classics I believe so that will account for how accurate the book is :)
Finished reading it half an hour ago. I still lay in a pool of tears. Devastated beyond words, beyond measure. :')
Hopefully you've recovered! It is such a good book.
@@ConnorOBrien Devouring Circe now. :) although, I've this feeling that the Song of Achilles will remain unparalleled.
Read it, LOVED it (that's a major understatement), cried for days after and deemed it my favourite book of all time :)
Its always so nice when other people like the same books as me 😁😁😁😁
You made me want to dig out my copy of this book again. I also love Greek myth stories, especially if the author bothers to research history & culture.
This is one of my favorite books. This made me want to go back and experience it again. I can't wait for Circe next spring!
I really enjoyed this book. The character of Achilles resonates alot with me and the ending had me tearing up. Can't wait to reread it one day! A classic love story
Reading it right now and I think you are right. The writing style is so great and straight forward.
I am doing the happy dance now. This is my favorite book of all time I think and I am glad you enjoyed it. Also, I'm exciyed for Circe. I hope it comes out soon.
Awesome! I love Achilles and have always wanted to read more about/based on him. Also, Greek mythology is always a plus. Definitely will add this to my list. :)
What did you think?
I loved this novel as well. I got to meet Madeline Miller and get my photo taken with her when she was promoting CIRCE. A very accurate review.
That's awesome. I also ended up really enjoying Circe. I cannot wait to see what she decides to write next!
Connor, you might like to check out Margaret Atwood's (my favorite author) The Penelopiad. It is a retelling of The Odyssey, told from the veiw point of Penelope.
This books is a masterpiece
I loooved it. If you haven't checked out Circe by Miller yet, I suggest the audiobook. The narrator is incredible.
I'm halfway through this book and I'm loving it!! Great review! I love Greek mythology and the story of Achilles ( He's my favourite Greek hero) and im so impressed with how accurate and beautiful this story is!
Yay! It's on my to-read list. Might be a post xmas pick up!
I keep hearing about this! It's already on my list... hmmmm perhaps I should bump it up!
Lover your reviews!! Always on point!
What an excellent review! I loved this story and am not a classics connoisseur but recommend it and rave about it to all my reader friends! Funnily, i kept checking how many minutes of the video were left because you kept listing pros and wondered when you'd get to the cons (what cons, lol)! I agree with all the things you've said and found it interesting that you liked the portrayal of Thetis from you POV of having studied her and other gods! Many people just love to hate on her, but she's quite complex. I was interested how you felt at the end, were you at all depressed? I was devastated, no joke...had to look up articles on how to cope with grief over fictional characters!
I’ve been seeing this book around and now i really want to read it. 👍🏼👍🏼
Literally the best book ever, I’m so glad I read it.
Totally agree
I loved this book! Great review Connor!
Someone: Why do you cry so much?
Me:
Literally in tears through the second half
This is such a beautiful beautiful book. I’ve already read it like 4 times. It’s one of those classics that you want to revisit again and again. Madeline wrote the book so beautifully.. it’s so obvious how much work has gone into writing this master piece. It was my introduction to m/m stories so many years back… I’m currently binge reading TJ Klune books.. he is such a master as well.. I’m loving all his books.. I found Connors reviews very recently after I read wolfsong by TJ Klune.. I noticed that he has reviewed quite a few of TJ’s books.. Connor’s reviews are honest and fun.. I love the way he speaks. Also the best part is how much he says about the book without giving away any spoilers.. he makes you feel like reading the book.. I immediately subscribed to him after that… thank you Connor.. love your reviews.❤️
Yes!! I loved this book too!
I cant even type properly from how good this book is
haha it happens!
I'm Greek and I'm obsessed with Greek Mythology. We have the myths as subjects at school, mainly the homeric epics, Odyssey and Iliad (the odyssey being my personal favorite myth of all time) and from 7th to 10th grade we analyze the texts in ancient greek (cause we also learn ancient greek) and really dig deep in the stories which persuaded me to research on my own and read A LOT of books on Greek Mythology, (including the entire books of both stories, both in english and greek) especially since it's a part of my own culture and history which I'm proud of. I've been debating whether or not to buy this just because it does kind of bother me when authors change information, but reading reviews and listening to your video, i think it'll be worth it!
I really enjoyed this book. I had a few issues with it; however, Madeline Miller is such a phenomenal writer that I was able to get past them. The cover is beauuuuutiful as well!
I loved this book. Initially I had difficulty in finishing it as the prophesy was mentioned in the first few portions of the book and you are kind of primed that it will not be a happy ending. But, I was rewarded by finishing it because in their world the dead can be reunited with their significant other in the afterlife so it’s kind of a happy ending of some sort.
Loved the novel so much, so glad I read it.
I obviously enjoyed it immensely as well!! I'm happy to hear I'm not alone
Silence of the girls by patt baker is another amazing narration of trozan wars from the perspective of Bresies.
yup
Hi, I was wondering do you have a Sherlock Holmes collection? if so, can you do a review or something like that?
Wait is that a hardcover 🥺 omg I need it
Literally the best book ever, I’m so glad I read it. And I don’t know why would you like Achilles mother.
The way Madeline Miller describe every scene in this book is really detailed. It's like she witnessed everything
That looks like a hardcover. I really want to get this book in hardcover but Amazon has paperback, library binding and also "unknown binding". Does anyone know what unknown binding is? Could it be a hardcover? Thanks so much!
❤
finished this book a couple of days ago and i cannot keep my mind off them 😭💔
Didn't realize you were a classical studies major! I really need to get to this, though I'm not super versed in mythology. Is it something that you think people who aren't super into mythology would like?
Yep! I got the “So what’re you gonna do with that?” question a ton lol Classics is not a field that leads to many different careers directly.
I definitely believe you could go into this with zero Greek myth knowledge. The basics are good but not necessary like how Chiron trains Greek heroes and that’s about it lol
I'm reading this now, I wasn't a classic major, my only impression of Achilles previously was from his portrayal by Brad Pitt in the film Troy.
If you love Madeline Miller's superb novel, you might enjoy this performance of Book Nine of the Lattimore translation of the Iliad, on which her novel is based. I'm a Shakespearean actor, and author of "How to Write about Homer" (Infobase, 2010), and I gave it my best shot. It includes the "Embassy to Achilles" scene, where Agamemnon send Odysseus, Ajax and Phoenix to try and persuade Achilles to rejoin the war and save the Greek armies. @
So, I'm reading the novel right now. I just love mythology and classical stories with some simple undertones, and right now this novel is perfect. Great review
Go read Circe, it's from the same author and it's soooooooo good!
I know! I got the book recently, and need to give it a whirl! I have a lot of school reading to get done this semester, but I am so ready for Circe when an opportunity opens up to pick it up.
🌟 🌟 🌟🌟🌟
🤩🤩 been looking for this edition of the song of achilles. Lovely review. Made me cry all over again remembering the experience while reading. 🥺🥺
P.s. I wish I receive this book as a gift from Connor. 😅😅
I got my copy from a library book sale. It still has all the stickers and everything. I love this book though! Oh wow. I just looked up how much this book costs. That's ridiculous lol
OMG Connor, they just reprinted this in hardback. 🤩🤩😍😍 I’m very excited.
Much enjoyed this book. The author had a great follow up with Circe. I recommend both and suggest a look at M. Atwood’s ‘Penelopaid’. All three are a treat to read and audio versions are excellent company. Thx for the review and the post. A. LaVerdiere Calgary, Canada 🇨🇦
🙂👍👍👍👍👍👍
CONNOR!!!! YOU GOTTA READ CIRCE!!!!!!!!!
I know I know!! I’m behind! I have the book though, so there’s that lol I have little time for pleasure reading this semester, but I think I brought it with me to read hopefully!
Omg when they talk about Patroclus and Achilles it killed me. (In Circe I mean)
i love it. read it y'all.
and i just-it broke my heart. after i read it i could never listen to sad songs ever again. rest well my sweet dice boy :')
@@lilywei864 :')
Secretly Prometheus doesn’t like humans just gave them fire to kill each other!!! 😂😂😂👏👏👏👏
this book-
I pictured Patroclus like Harry Potter
I had this book in my kindle for so long and I thought that it was just a typical mythology book. It was a good read but I was kind of underwhelmed by the ending for some reason haha. The story was good and v engrossing overall (read it in just a day lol) I thought that I would bawl like a baby but no 🤣
Questionnnn: Why it the title called “The song of Achillies”? , is there a meaning to the title?
(Haven’t read it ,friend recommended it and I decided to check reviews before reading :D)
Did you end up reading it? What did you think of it? Reading it will help understand the name of the title.
I agree with everything you said about this book and cried when i finished reading it.
I haven't finished the book yet. I'm in chapter 23. As much as I loved the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus I kept thinking, what about Breseis? Didn't Achilles love her? Didn't Achilles stop taking part in the war when Agamemnon took Breseis from him as a protest? Why isn't anyone talking about this?
If you read that far, it should have been pretty obvious that Achilles had no interest in Briseis. He was jealous of her because Patroclus had a soft spot for her. Achilles never loved anybody other than Patroclus. At least in this rendition.
Not whatever... '"Pa-tro-clus"'. Only Achilles would pronounce his name thus... '"I hoped that you would come," he said. My stomach rolled, awash with nerves and relief at once. I drank him in, the bright hair, the soft curve of his lips upwards. My joy was so sharp i did not dare to breathe. I do not know what I might have said then. I'm sorry, perhaps,. Or perhaps something more. i opened my mouth.'"
Hestia definitely cared about human life. She cared about human so much that she straight up left Olympia.
I would love to put in a con which is 100% understandable but it's a flaw nonetheless. I found Achilles, personality wise, very bland in the first half of the book. I think that's because he was flawless as a mortal and warrior. His personality really shines during the war chapters and after Patroclus' death. So yeah it's just persoanlly what I felt. Please feel free to correct me.
is this rly for gay males or others? i saw it’s written by a cis-woman about a gay couple and i’m kinda shying away from author-protagonist POV differences but i heard it’s good
Never read a better book in my lifw
I really loved it when I read it too!
Hungry Hungry Caterpillar?
@@Euro.Patriot looll
why couldn't Patroclus be at peace until Achilles's mom wrote his name on the tombstone?
Because otherwise he would be forgotten and would have to wander the earth for eternity. That was just how it worked in the book. So once he was remembered on the gravestone he could go into the underworld and be at peace
So this makes people cry but those people also say The Iliad was really good, I find it really boring. Doubt this'll make me cry, I'm gonna go through this or The Odyssey when I finish The Iliad.
Achilles fought with Agamemnon for a woman, and nowhere in the Iliad there is mention of homosexuality. The lovers part is mentioned in the comedy "the Mirmidons" which was staged 800 years after the war. So, the conclusion is made without taking into consideration all the facts. Plus, a concurrent source is much more reliable that a source 800 years old.
HETEROSEXUAL LIFE PARTNERS
Cute boy.
My favourite book literally is so freaking good I recommend it so much 🥹😮💨
Literally the best book ever, I’m so glad I read it.