The Song of Achilles: A Novel (P.S.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When I was a teenage boy, grappling with the complexities of my own identity, I felt isolated and misunderstood. The world around me seemed to echo only one message—that being different was something to hide. But then I stumbled upon the story of Patroclus and Achilles, two legendary figures from ancient Greece whose bond transcended friendship. Their courage, loyalty, and deep affection for each other painted a picture of love that was both fierce and unapologetic. Learning about them was like finding a beacon in the dark. Their story didn’t just speak of heroics on the battlefield but of the profound connection they shared, a love that defied the expectations of their time. This realization planted a seed of hope within me. It showed me that love, in all its forms, has always existed and has been honored in history’s most epic tales. Patroclus and Achilles’ story saved me because it made me feel seen. It whispered that I wasn’t alone, that my feelings were not new or wrong—they were part of the same human tapestry that wove through time. Because of them, I found the strength to embrace who I was, to believe that my identity was not a burden but a part of my own story worth telling. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is an exquisite retelling of a timeless tale, breathing new life into the epic story from The Iliad. Miller's lyrical prose and deep character development transform the mythological narrative into an intimate, heartfelt journey. The love story between Achilles and Patroclus is depicted with such beauty and authenticity that it lingers long after the final page. This novel not only honors Homer’s classic but adds a profound emotional layer, making ancient history feel vivid and relatable. A truly unforgettable masterpiece that captivates both heart and mind.

A wonderful story of love and loss. The way Madeline miller describes the world of Ancient Greek is so beautiful it was like I was there.

Beautifully written and researched book. What a phenomenal job of bringing literary characters to life and telling such an epic story through the lens of a minor character. As with all stories, creative license was taken and sometimes in ways I didn’t love. But, the story never felt untrue to the original tales. It felt more like a curtain was being pulled back to show more about characters we thought we knew, such as Odysseus or Achilles. Also, although I understand the interpretation that supports a romantic love between Patroclus and Achilles, I can also see the love of brotherhood, men in arms, and friendship that would justify Achilles response as well. Nonetheless, the scene of Patroclus at war is so well done that it rivals the description in the Iliad of Hector’s and Achilles’ battle.

Of all the characters in Greek mythology, Achilles has always fascinated me the most. Regardless of whether he’s portrayed as a hero or a villain, he is always shown as a force to be reckoned with, awe-inspiring and larger than life. I’ve yet to meet an Achilles story I don’t like, but Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles is easily my favorite. That’s right – this book is even better than the movie Troy. Those of you who’ve seen the movie, starring a blond, glorious Brad Pitt in Grecian armor, understand just how high an accolade that is. Miller’s novel is narrated by Patroclus, the young man Achilles loves best of anyone in the world. Patroclus’ role in the tale of Achilles varies from storyteller to storyteller; in some versions of the myth he’s cast as a cousin or a trusted friend, while in others he isn’t present at all. In Miller’s tale, Patroclus is Achilles’ lover, which is the role in which I like him best. Patroclus bears witness to Achilles’ life, growing up as his steadfast companion and remaining at his side during Achilles’ rise to greatness as a hero of the Trojan War. Through Patroclus’s eyes, you get to see a different side of Achilles. He’s still a warrior, an almost bloodthirsty man-among-men, but at the same time there’s a boyishness to him, an innocence. This is what draws Patroclus to him, but at the same time it makes Patroclus incredibly afraid for Achilles. No matter how talented a fighter he is, he’s guileless, a dangerous quality when surrounded by men like Agamemnon, Menelaus, and Odysseus. I fell for Achilles and Patroclus as they fell for each other. They’re just so right together that witnessing their relationship feels like a privilege, like you’re a part of the specialness of their love, with all the joy and heartbreak this entails.The love that they share is so pure and tender and true that reading about it is almost like looking directly into the sun – it’s so bright that it hurts, as painful as it is beautiful. The blissful agony of The Song of Achilles is that it’s the epitome of dramatic irony. The story of the Trojan War is well known, so you go into the story fully aware of the fate that awaits Patroclus and his beloved. They have no idea what’s in store, but you do, and it’s a dark cloud over the happy couple. They’re so blissful, so hopeful, that it breaks your heart to know how it’s all going to end. It makes for a very intense and emotional reading experience. The best example of this is when Achilles’ allies try to convince Achilles to kill Hector, the opposing force’s champion. Achilles brushes this off with a smile, saying lightly, “What has Hector ever done to me?” This line was enough to give me goosebumps – and bring tears to my eyes – because I knew what would eventually come to pass. Besides the gut-wrenching irony, another thing that’s really neat about The Song of Achilles is that it draws on aspects of the Achilles legend that I hadn’t heard before. Based on some research I did after finishing the book, it seems Miller drew on older versions of the myth for the source of her material as opposed to the relatively modern versions. There are a lot of events and characters in the book that I hadn’t heard of before, and certain elements are notably absent. For instance, Miller makes no mention of Achilles’ heel being a point of weakness, which I’d thought was pivotal to the story. According to the Internet, however, Achilles was not invulnerable in any of the older legends. I loved everything about The Song of Achilles and would definitely recommend it to anyone who appreciates stories of ancient Greece, especially the Trojan War. This stunning love story, tragic at times yet ultimately hopeful, is one that will remain in my heart for life. This review can also be found on my blog, http://angelaslibrary.com

A hard read tho brilliantly written. I kept hoping the story would surprise me or be set in a parallel universe where things turn out differently than history records them. Read at your own risk. Do not read tackle it when you have not reserves against the tears it will evoke. You’ve been warned.

Achilles was the son of a mortal king, Peleus, and an immortal, cold and cruel goddess, Thetis. He was born for glory and trained as such. Every inch a Prince, he was the most skilled warrior, the most irresistible youth and impeccable in his demeanor. He met Patroclaus by chance when the latter was exiled to the kingdom of Peleus for committing a shameful crime. He was an awkward, fumbling teenager, the exact opposite of Achilles. The two develop an unflinching bond of friendship, much to the surprise of everyone and displeasure and chagrin of Peleus and, particularly, Thetis. However, they were trained by the Centaur, Chiron - Achilles to be an unconquerable soldier and Patroclaus to be dexterous in the art of medicine. Their relationship is fleshed out from the age of 12 until the end of this tragic story. However, they move beyond tragedy as they unite in the afterlife. The book reads like a verse rather than prose. The narrative is descriptive, sensual, lyrical, captivating and, at times, haunting. I found it hard to shut down my Kindle every time I had to pause my reading. In fact, the portrayal painted a vivid picture in my imagination as if the scenes were taking place before my very eyes! Anyone with the love for Greek mythology will love this book to the core. It's a must have for every personal library!

The book is in perfect condition, I am very happy

The beginning is good but towards the middle it’s pretty slow and you might wonder if it’ll live up to the hype but once you enter the ending it’s just so intense and emotional and it’s an experience! I loved it!

Great read! I got lost so quick.

Este es, sin lugar a dudas, un libro perfecto. Si eres un lector ávido, se convertirá en uno de tus favoritos en cuanto empieces a leer. Si eres fan de la mitología griega y de libros de este tema (por ejemplo, Percy Jackson) sin duda lo amarás tanto como yo. No recomiendo comprarlo en Español, simple y sencillamente porque la intención y sentimiento original de la autora se pierde, no importa lo buena que sea la traducción ( y si, ya tuve oportunidad de comprobarlo). Ya entrando a hacer un pequeño review, es el único libro que, sin importar cuantas veces lo lea (lo cual hago tal vez entre 5 y 7 veces en el año si tengo tiempo) me hace llorar en múltiples partes, pero obviamente, mas al final. No digo que hay alerta de spoilers, porque creo que casi todos conocemos un poquito de la historia. Es un libro increíble, y estoy deseosa por leer Circe, de la misma autora.