The Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
Paperback (purchased)
LGBT, historical fiction, mythology
Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their difference, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles' mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess.
But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.
There almost isn't words to describe how I feel about The Song of Achilles. Even writing somewhat coherent review took me months. The Song of Achilles was captivating, gripping and so vivid. It was utterly brilliant. It was emotional roller coaster like no other. It was everything I wished a book to be: adventure, romance, peace, war, mythology, gods and men, tragedy, heartbreak, oaths and fights, and everything else wrapped in beautifully written story. Miller is brilliant, she breathed live into the legends, made them so real it hurt. I couldn't put it down, and I barely slept until I finished the book.
I confess that I had fears of book being hard to read as it was about ancient Greek mythology and I heard that it was pretty authentic. My fears were for nothing because The Song of Achilles is easy to read, almost like young adult novel even though it was not one because there is sex and gore, mostly because of the war. It's not really graphic but it doesn't fit the young adult category either because the story is about Patroclus' whole life.
And characters, oh how Miller made them so real: some utterly lovable like Patroclus, Briseis and Chiron. Some lovable with pride as a fault like Achilles, and some sneaky and not so likable like Odysseus, Agamemmon and Hector. And some utterly horrible like Thetis and Pyrrhus. Every character from the myths and legends added to the story of Achilles and Patroclus. It was brilliant even when the horrible characters got their way and threatened everything that was beautiful.
Of course I need to speak more of Patroclus and Achilles. I ship them with all I have, as simple as that. I knew how it was going to end but The Song of Achilles is one of those stories where you still hope it will be different. Where you believe that it will be different. Both Achilles and Patroclus went through such character development that it was beautiful to see them grow from young boys to young men who were at the middle of the war that was going to be unforgettable part of history. Achilles changed because of that war, and Patroclus just grew so beautifully, he truly grew to be the the Best of Men.
I will forever cherish this book, and I definitely need to read it again. Over and over again, because I cannot get enough of Patroclus and Achilles. Especially their years with Chiron, when everything was still innocent youth and they had the whole world.
I highly, highly recommend this to everyone who is even a bit interested in ancient myths and legends, or Achilles, Patroclus or the Trojan War. The story and voice really are authentic and even as a history major I found nothing out of place or nothing to criticize. Miller truly knows her subject. I do recommend this to everyone who finds the summary interesting. Or maybe just wants to give a historical fiction a try. It's worth it. The Song of Achilles is truly worth it.
5 of 5 stars.
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