The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles

by Madeline Miller

Greece in the age of Heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia. Here he is nobody, just another unwanted boy living in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles.

Achilles, 'best of all the Greeks', is everything Patroclus is not - strong, beautiful, the child of a goddess - and by all rights their paths should never cross. Yet one day, Achilles takes the shamed prince under his wing and soon their tentative companionship gives way to a steadfast friendship. As they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something far deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel and deathly pale sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.

Fate is never far from the heels of Achilles. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows Achilles into war, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they have learned, everything they hold dear. And that, before he is ready, he will be forced to surrender his friend to the hands of Fate.

Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.

Reviewed by lessthelonely on

5 of 5 stars

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READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH A PERSPECTIVE FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW "THE ILLIAD" GOES DOWN.

Allow me to keep this review short: if you're into Greek mythology and Gods, prophecies and amazing romance, this is a book you'll definitely love. You want to know how I ended up finding this book? By playing Hades on my Nintendo Switch - so, if you're a gamer and enjoyed this book play that or, if you're a gamer and enjoyed Hades, read this book.

I think, however, there are some things that I found disheartening FOR ME. In any case, this, for me, is a work of fiction, so I'm sorry if you find what I'm going to say unfair, but it's my feelings:

I didn't like the way the romance was handled sometimes: namely the use of sex and, for example, "romantic" interactions between Patroclus and Briseis. I knew from the beginning how this story would end, and I did not object to Briseis, I liked her even! But some scenes felt ultimately oh so unnecessary, as did, for example, Thetis' interference in between Achilles and Patroclus, namely those that involved Achillles and Deidameia... I just asked... Why? I assume it's part of the original story... it just felt like it was treated as a plot point, something that left me feeling uncomfortable not in sympathy for Patroclus but towards the book.

The other thing was... I thank the way this book was written, but at some point I felt like not much thought was put into Achilles and Patroclus' relationship, more into the main event of the story and the characters' individual spiralling down to either madness or recklessness. Also... It was sometimes too descriptive without the usual feelings it provoked within me as a reader. If you've read the book, you'll find that a passage with the quote "...and this, and this, and this..." is what I'm referring to.

Finally... This book surprised me with its handling of the thing I knew was going to happen from the very beginning. I don't want to spoil it, but though it tug at my heartstrings to see the inevitable happen, the aftermath literally destroyed me. By the time the final intervention in the story came, I sobbed when I realized their ultimate regret. Absolutely DESTROYED ME, and I'm hereby thanking it for it.

It's still, however, a 5 star rating out of me.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 18 February, 2021: Finished reading
  • 18 February, 2021: Reviewed