The Song of Achilles

A Novel

By: Madeline Miller

Narrated by: Frazer Douglas

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

The legend begins...

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia to be raised in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles. “The best of all the Greeks”—strong, beautiful, and the child of a goddess—Achilles is everything the shamed Patroclus is not. Yet despite their differences, the boys become steadfast companions. Their bond deepens as they grow into young men and become skilled in the arts of war and medicine—much to the displeasure and the fury of Achilles’ mother, Thetis, a cruel sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.

When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece, bound by blood and oath, must lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

Built on the groundwork of the Iliad, Madeline Miller’s page-turning, profoundly moving, and blisteringly paced retelling of the epic Trojan War marks the launch of a dazzling career.

©2012 Madeline Miller (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

“[Miller] makes a persuasive argument for the timeliness of her subject. …Miller’s winning debut focuses on Patroclus, a young prince living in Achilles’ golden shadow. Miller also gives voice to many of the women who were also consigned to the shadows.” ( Publishers Weekly, Spring 2012 Preview, Top 10 Literary Fiction)

“You don’t need to be familiar with Homer’s The Iliad (or Brad Pitt’s Troy, for that matter) to find Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles spellbinding....her explorations of ego, grief, and love’s many permutations are both familiar and new....[A] timeless love story.” ( O magazine)

“A psychologically astute Iliad prelude featuring the heady, star-crossed adolescence of future heroes Patroclus and Achilles.” ( Vogue)

A beautiful love story

A love written in the stars, of Gods and Men and the fates that control their lives. This is the untold story of Achilles and Patroclus .

This was very, very good.

At first, I didn't find this book to be that interesting. I had just read Circe, which comes after this story, so I expected this to be as intriguing as that one. This book took it's time to get going and the first 8 hours or so was basically a love story between the two main characters. It changed its tune when they arrived in Troy and from there, the book flew by. Now that I have finished it, I understand that the first part is necessary to establish the deep relationship between the two, which makes you appreciate the story that much more. If you are looking for an action-packed story, this is not it until the last 1/3 of the book. This is worth a credit!

Worth it

This is beautiful book, told beautifully. It may seem soppy and tedious in parts, but bear through it. It all fits together as it should.

Interesting twist on Greek mythology.

I enjoyed it so much, a lot, enormously,.
My favorite character was his mother sea goddess.

Beautiful story

Beautiful story. If you liked Circe you will like this. Sad and beautiful. Listen to this.

great book

wonderful writing and storytelling definitely a must read .like a story told from a wittness

Forever, in life and in death

. Achilles is a well known name in Greek Mythology as he was the son of a mortal King and a Goddess, a hero of the Trojan War, one of the main characters in Homer's Iliad and the greatest Greek warrior. But he also loved and was loved by Patroclus. The story that the author has written for this pair is a moving and beautiful love story of two men whose souls are entwined through all eternity as they were in life. I found the story beautifully written and applaud her taking the initiative of presenting them as they appear, homosexuals. One of my favorite lines from the book comes near the end when Patroclus is pleading with Achilles mother for them to be together “I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.” The book was amazing and I highly recommend.

beautifully written

Beautiful story. The fall of Troy felt alive and new in this retelling. I highly recommend listening. One warning to be prepared for though. The first 12 or so chapters read like a romance novel. So if you are not interested in listening to a man pine for his love for half a book, it may be hard for you to stick through. However, the second half of the book is where the story really picks up and keeps you enthralled.

I have never sobbed for a book. Now I have.

This book is true to what a Greek tragedy is, heartbreaking yet so beautiful. You may know the ending but the journey there is so uplifting you hope beyond hope that the story will change, but in the end it won't. The pain and happiness are so well expressed I truly wish I could restart it just to have it break my heart all over again.

Amazing Story

I’ve always loved Greek Mythos and the stories wrapped up in that rich history. Song of Achilles is an amazing retelling of a beautiful and sad story. Even knowing the ending and knowing the legend, i still enjoyed heading to the destination. Madeline did an amazing job.