I went into The Song of Achilles knowing almost nothing about Greek mythology and honestly I don't think that helped me connect with the story. A lot of the names, prophecies, gods and mythology references felt distant to me so I never became fully invested in the world.
The writing itself is beautiful; soft, poetic, and emotional. I can understand why so many people love this book. Madeline Miller has a way of making even simple moments feel meaningful. However, the central romance between Achilles and Patroclus didn't resonate with me personally. Since their relationship is the heart of the story, not connecting with it made it difficult for me to become emotionally attached to the characters.
Part of the issue was that I couldn't fall in love with Achilles as a fictional character the way I usually do with protagonists. The romantic chemistry that many readers found moving simply didn't work for me, so the emotional impact of the story felt muted. Instead of being swept away by the romance, I often felt like an observer watching someone else's love story. That said I can still appreciate the craftsmanship behind the novel.
The character development is thoughtful, the prose is elegant and the ending carries a sense of tragedy that lingers long after the final page. While I respect what the book was trying to do, it ultimately wasn't a story that matched my personal tastes.
One thing I genuinely loved about The Song of Achilles was its quotes. Even though I didn't fully connect with the romance, some lines were undeniably beautiful. The quote "He is half of my soul, as the poets say," stood out to me the most. There's something timeless and deeply human about wanting someone who understands you so completely that they feel like a part of yourself.
Ironically, while I admired the words and the devotion they expressed, I never became emotionally invested in Achilles the way many readers seem to. The romance remained something I appreciated from a distance rather than something I personally felt. Still, moments like that quote reminded me why this book resonates with so many people; it captures love in a way that is poetic, sincere, and unforgettable.
Overall, I can see why The Song of Achilles is beloved by so many readers but as someone who isn't interested in Greek mythology and didn't connect with the central romance, it ended up being more admirable than enjoyable for me.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
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