Reviews with content warning for Ableism - Le Chant d'Achille

Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Le Chant d'Achille by Madeline Miller

38 reviews

oplu's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

goemonxiii's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I don't normally read books like Song of Achilles, but it was thoroughly enjoyable for what it was. I liked viewing Greek Mythology through the lens of Patroclus, Patroclus and Achilles' relationship was interesting to read about, and I like how this book is introducing a new generation to Greek Mythology. Is this book a must read? No. Is it good? For what it is, yes. The only thing I didn't like was the "passive voice" in later chapters when major things are happening (hopefully you'll understand what I mean if/when you read it). But, for young adult fiction, the plot wasn't stupid, there weren't any glaring problems in terms of themes or messaging, and it was well-written in terms of word choices and how the story was presented.

Content Warnings

saintmare's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Listened to the audiobook.

I think this book is nearly perfect. It's clear a lot of research went into this book and the tone matches the fact it's a Greek retelling. At some points I thought some descriptions were a bit too repetitive, though it matched with the tone of the book. I think the scope was well chosen and executed. The prose was lovely, at points drawing from the descriptions in epics.

In some way, this book is limited by the fact it's a retelling. You cannot divorce Achilles and Patroclus from their roots, from the violence of their origins and by portraying them as more sympathetic than they sometimes are in their original stories to focus on their bond, a choice is made. It's perfect for this book, but it's a limitation, one I can't describe it better without talking in circles.

I recommend this book nonetheless. It did make me cry.

Content Warnings

valerian_honeybee's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

savshanae's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I hate it. I’m also giving it a 5 ⭐️ review.
Everyone was right, it will break you. But not even for the reasons I expected! I don’t want to spoil the whole thing, but I literally threw the book after reading the final paragraph. I hate it and it was also one of the best books I’ve ever read. Proceed with extreme caution.

Content Warnings

candycains's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Beautifully written

Content Warnings

novella42's review against another edition

Go to review page

Could not get past the ableism in the opening chapter.

Content Warnings

bramblebug's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This story is just so beautifully written and well-paced. Every story beat feels so intentional and eloquent. Deeply emotional and rooted in the perspective of a single character, it’s a rollercoaster of feelings and experiences—love, heartache, longing, joy, fear. I’ll always want to return to the atmosphere Miller creates and the tenderness and uncertainty that comes with adolescence and falling in love and facing impossible challenges set in motion by gods and men.

Also, I have listened to the audiobook multiple times and it is possibly one of the best performances I’ve ever experienced.

Content Warnings

librerin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A great travel read! I enjoyed the story from Patroclus's perspective, and found it to be beautifully written. I got a bit tired of Patroclus coming off as a damsel-in-distress and wanted more depth to Achilles's evolution during the war, but I felt that the later parts of the book really helped to alleviate that.

Content Warnings

fuzzywilson's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

More...