The Song of Achilles

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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.

"This feeling was different. I found myself grinning until my cheeks hurt, my scalp prickling till I thought it might lift off my head. My tongue ran away from me, giddy with freedom. This and this and this, I said to him. I did not have to fear that I spoke too much. I did not have to worry that I was too slender or too slow. This and this and this! I taught him how to skip stones, and he taught me how to carve wood. I could feel every nerve in my body, every brush of air against my skin." Do you remember that feeling of being in love? How you can be in a room full of others and just know, without even turning to see, that he has entered. You can feel his gaze at it lands upon you across that crowded space. Or the warmth that spreads slowly from within, and builds gradually but surely in intensity, until your entire being is aflame, lit it would seem by the merest whisper of his skin upon your arm. His hand perhaps as it grazes your elbow or his scent as he leans in to speak to those around you. How your body reacts independent of intention, turning toward him, unfurling as a flower does for the sun. In short The Song of Achilles is a modern retelling of The Iliad. Miller tells this tale from the perspective of Patroclus, son of Menoetius. Patroclus at the tender age of ten is exiled from his father’s kingdom for accidently killing the son of a nobleman and is fostered out to King Pelius of Phthia. It is there that he meets Pelius’s golden haired son, the prince Achilles. Soon thereafter Achilles chooses Patroclus as his companion and they become fast friends spending their childhood growing and basking in each others company. Achilles mother, the sea-nymph Thetus, however, does not like Patroclus, feeling he is unworthy of being the friend of a future god. To separate the two after having seen them in an intimate embrace, Thetis sends her son away to be taught further by Chiron, the centaur on Mount Pelion. But unable to cope with the loss of his best friend, Patroclus soon follows, joining Achilles on Mount Pelion where they spend many idyllic seasons together, as their friendship blossoms into something more, being taught about war, medicine and survival by Chiron. But this too will pass as all good things must. Achilles is summoned back to Phthia where he learns that war is imminent against Troy. Oh my goodness this book is so beautiful, so tender, yet strong and passionate. It has me all a tingle, quivering in recollection of the words read, anxious to start all over and experience those feelings anew, read those glorious words once again. Yes it is about war and death, gore and blood, lust and gods and betrayal. There is rape and plunder, hubris and humility, but at its heart, this is a love story and Miller tells it to us in words that leave me breathless, my knees shaking, thirsting for more. Just listen……… “I will go,” he said. “I will go to Troy.” The rosy gleam of his lip, the fevered green of his eyes. There was not a line anywhere on his face, nothing creased or graying; all crisp. He was spring, golden and bright. Envious death would drink his blood, and grow young again. He was watching me, his eyes as deep as earth. “Will you come with me?” he asked. The never-ending ache of love and sorrow. Perhaps in some other life I could have refused, could have torn my hair and screamed, and made him face his choice alone. But not in this one. He would sail to Troy and I would follow, even into death. “Yes,” I whipsered. “Yes.” Relief broke in his face, and he reached for me. I let him hold me, let him press us length to length so close that nothing might fit between us. Tears came, and fell. Above us, the constellations spun and the moon paced her weary course. We lay stricken and sleepless as the hours passed.” Please read it. Five furiously quivering, phenomenal stars!!!!!

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.