— nova’s Reviews > The Song of Achilles > Status Update

“That is—your friend?”
“Philtatos,” Achilles says, sharply. Most beloved.

“Somewhere Odysseus is kneeling, urging food and drink. A fierce red rage comes, and he almost kills him there. But he would have to let go of me. He cannot. He holds me so tightly I can feel the faint beat of his chest, like the wings of a moth. An echo, the last bit of spirit still tethered to my body. A torment.”

Patroclus, he says, Patroclus. Patroclus.

what if i just stop here. then everyone is happy right ?? RIGHT ??? :)))))))))

“Bring him back to me,” he told them.

😭😭😭

“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”

“I look down at his blood and know my death is coming. But in the dream I do not mind. What I feel, most of all, is relief.”

🥲🥲🥲

“Patroclus. I have given enough to them. I will not give them this.”

“The feelings that stirred in me at night seemed strangely distant from those serving girls with their lowered eyes and obedience. I watched a boy fumbling at a girl’s dress, the dull look on her face as she poured his wine. I did not wish for such a thing.”

i am so far unimpressed /: