January/February's Readings
Welcome to the very first review of Coccinelle's Book Club. This month I started strongly, grabbing a book that made quite some noise in the last two years despite being out since 2012. Hence, The Song Of Achilles was the first book on my list and I couldn't be happier. I then read Ariadne because as a Greek Mythology lover, I've been drawn to these books for a while. There's no better way to get out of a reading slump than reading about something you are passionate about.
JANUARY REVIEWS
The Song of Achilles
- Madeline Miller
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the day he was born, Achilles was destined for greatness. He would become the best of the Greeks. His mother, the divine Thetis would make sure of that.
Patroclus was never meant for this kind of destiny. Exiled from his kingdom, the young prince’s path is suddenly intertwined with Achille’s.
As the boys quickly become inseparable, Achilles' legacy seems threatened. Side by side, they explore the true meanings of friendship, love and war, but how much are they willing to sacrifice to go against the Gods’ prophecies?
The book is a captivating retelling of the Iliad and the events leading up to it. I was reluctant to pick up this book as it was very popular on BookTok (TikTok) and so far I've only been disappointed by the app's recommendations. But this book is something else. Madeline Miller makes greek mythology accessible in a delightful and poetic way.
I read the book in french and will say that it was a beautiful translation but now I kinda wished I read it in English instead just to enjoy the beauty of Miller's writing fully.
Ariadne - Jennifer Saint
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ariadne is the princess of Crete - daughter of the merciless Minos, granddaughter of the mighty Helio and sister to the ferocious Minotaur.
In an existence pre-defined and sabotaged by the men in her life, Ariadne is willing to defy the Gods and betray her own blood to break free.
“When Theseus, the Prince of Athens, arrives to vanquish the beast, Ariadne sees in his green eyes not a threat but an escape.”
But, contrary to popular belief, Ariadne’s story doesn’t end with a labyrinth and a thread. These events merely mark the start of her journey.
This is a feminist retelling of Ariadne’s myth I picked up after reading Circe this summer but couldn’t get into. I gave it another shot this winter and: I loved this book but hated the ending. I understand why it had to end this way but it left me frustrated.
I thought that the moral of the story lacked substance and the ending felt rushed. It also carried an “all men are the same in the end” (= d*ckheads) mentality which doesn’t align with my understanding of feminism. Jennifer Saint’s writing style was nice, accessible and entertaining which made this book an easy read.
FEBRUARY REVIEWS
Medusa - Jessie Burton
⭐️💫
After a traumatic encounter with the Gods, Medusa’s girlhood is brutally taken away from her. Punished for a crime she didn’t commit, the young girl has no other choice but to find exile on a far-flung island with her divine sisters. Haunted by her past, she struggles to find peace with her present self; the gorgon monster she’d become. When the enchanting Perseus’ boat reaches the shores of her island, Medusa’s existence is shaken once more.
Between desire and betrayal, Medusa is faced with a choice; hide forever or embrace her new self.
This book had SO MUCH potential. Great concept but very poorly executed.
The themes — self-acceptance, the burden of beauty and trauma healing is incredibly relevant but could have been way more impactful if the writing hadn’t been completely dumbed down. I felt as if the language was too modernised and not fit for a mythological retelling. Although I didn’t particularly like the book, the protagonist’s progressive sense of empowerment and overall growth was nicely built up. My profound love for greek mythology and the fact that it was short enough to finish it in an evening is what kept me going.
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