Author: Madeline Miller
Genre: Historical fiction; Young Adult
Rating: 8.5/10
Set in ancient Greece, we follow the story of one exiled young prince, Patroclus and the legendary hero Achilles. In a breathtaking retelling of the Iliad, we watch as their paths cross, as they change with the world around them, and as their relationship blossoms into something more than friendship.
I am very interested in Greek mythology. I believe the author has done an exceptional job in portraying the attitudes and societal norms of that era, such as the ever present sexism and the overemphasis on pride and honour. I can see how some may find certain parts of the book disturbing or crude due to the setting, but personally, I found them fascinating to read and learn about.
I also enjoyed that many familiar names, places or stories made an appearance in this particular story. They might not play a central role but I really liked seeing the connections.
If you have read a considerable amount of Greek mythology, or even if you have not, you would know it is in the nature of these stories to end in tragedy. Furthermore, the author had also skilfully cornered our characters at every turn so that their only choice would bring them closer and closer to the edge of a cliff. Thus, I found myself both dreading and anticipating the end (especially since almost everyone already knows how the story of Achilles ends).
Most of the time, Greek tales are fairly simple, they are matter of fact and sometimes have no rhyme or reason. One of the reasons I loved this book was because I felt that it gave depth and life to the Greek tale, and it gave depth to the characters and the plot. Not only could we see the distinct motivations and personalities of every character, we could also fully understand the development of the story. Meaning, I felt that she gave sense, logic, and a certain cleverness to the plot, incorporating some predictability so when all elements were laid before us, we could see how one thing would lead to the other, which would finally lead to the end.
In other words, she stayed true to the original events and yet, she took it a step further by giving her own interpretations of the reasons behind the outcomes, and of her insights into the story.
On the writing style, I found it simple yet captivating. There were some very well-written and profound lines or paragraphs that left me feeling enlightened.
“And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone.”
From the description you would have expected a love story. I was a bit skeptical on how well it would be executed due to the setting but I absolutely loved it. It started off very adorably with just the right amount of angst. And as they grew up, we watched as their relationship faced the challenges and hurdles thrown by the difficult situations they were in, yet their love never faltered. I was rooting for them from beginning to end.
In all, this was a stunning book, and I would recommend it to anyone with a passion for Greek mythology or just lore in general. The author has successfully transformed a beloved Greek tale into a modern day work of fiction.
Reviewed by: N.G.Rainwater (1st Reading)
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