My newly scratched itch for Greek mythology (coupled with a copy of the book being readily available) means that 2% Books will experience its first ever back-to-back review of the same author.
Although the title bears Achilles’ name, the book revolves around the life of Patroclus, the story’s narrator and Achilles’ closest companion. Born a king in his own right, Patroclus is in many ways the opposite of Achilles: awkward where he is graceful, insecure where he exudes confidence. Their stories are brought together due to exile and remain closely entwined throughout the novel. For Achilles, Patroclus is philtatos, ‘most beloved,’ and for Patroclus, Achilles will always be the tender-hearted boy with a lyre forced to be a soldier by the Fates.
Like Circe, the story of Achilles is written with fairly modern dialogue and mannerisms. For the most part, I think Miller balances the line of myth and modernity well, but there were three places where the f-word was used that make me slightly reconsider this pronouncement. My issue is not with the profanity itself but with the fact that it did more to take me out of the moment than to heighten the intensity or emotions of it. Three words in a 352-page book are not massively significant, but contribute to why I felt slightly removed from the text.
I always appreciate familiar stories being re-imagined and thought the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles gave this tale new life, but the pacing and, at times, the personalities of the main characters left me feeling detached. In no respect is it a bad story, just one I didn’t feel particularly engrossed in, whether because of the lurching pace or because I struggled to truly engage or identify with the characters. The latter, I recognize, is more of my experience as a reader than a reflection on the text itself, so take that as you may.
Personal rating: 5.5/10
Recommend? Probably not
Re-read? Not likely
Time: 1:50