Hi! I just finished the song of achilles and while I liked it, I didn't fall in love with it like I could have if the writing was better. I mean, for example, what was up with the tense shifts? The author seemed to shift from past to present tense for no apparent reason. Also the prose got a bit too purple-y for me at times. Am I missing something here? (since I know you loved the book I thought you could tell me where I'm wrong - or right)
Hello there! I don’t really recall anything about the tense shifts, because I don’t notice these things but I can imagine it would have been irritating for someone who does. The logical explanation would be the difference between Patroclus relating a story up to a point, and then that story continuing on but from what you’ve said, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
I agree with you about the prose in some respects; I thought the book had some really good lines (I’m particularly fond of “He is such a flood”) but at times, I rolled my eyes, honestly “He smiled and his face was like the sun,” so I totally sympathise with you there.
I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong; at the time of reading, I was enamoured with the book and I also think the tumblr hyped contributed to the perceived degree that I liked it to, so I think that now my thoughts would probably align with yours. I still consider Madeline Miller to be a great storyteller and I generally like her writing, but I find her quotes often work better in isolation.
