[2.75]

unpopular opinion incoming: i didn’t like this book. maybe i need to preface this by saying i have barely any knowledge of greek mythology.

starting with the way women are portrayed and how rape is basically glossed over (only VERY SHORTLY addressed again once at the end), also achilles literally only caring about himself and once in a while for patroclus. he is extremely indifferent to women and i don‘t mean this in a way that he doesn’t like them romantically but he is indifferent to them fullstop… he would rather see a woman get assaulted than see his pride get hurt. which leads me to the next part: the relationship of achilles and patroclus. i didn’t care for them one bit (as a couple) except for a short part around the middle. there is no yearning in the bloodlust and especially no real love (in my opinion) in the egocentric way achilles acts. while partoclus's character is likeable and kind, he‘s also glorifying achilles immensely to an extent i had to put down the book a few times.

all in all i liked the writing and 2 1/2 characters but that‘s it i think. not sure if i‘ll read something else by the author though many have praised circe for being a feminist read — might check it out. (probably my longest review ever lol)