Sample
  • The Song of Achilles

  • A Novel
  • By: Madeline Miller
  • Narrated by: Frazer Douglas
  • Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (37,849 ratings)

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The Song of Achilles

By: Madeline Miller
Narrated by: Frazer Douglas
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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)

Featured Article: The Best Historical Fiction Audiobooks


Often based on real people, events, and scenarios, historical fiction gives us the opportunity to learn about worlds and times we will never experience while introducing fascinating characters and stories set in their midst. Sometimes, the genre can even give us a peek into hidden storylines that routinely go unmentioned in traditional history books, showing us that those of ages past are perhaps not so different from ourselves.

Editor's Pick

I will die on this hill
"Periodically I will check up on Frazer Douglas on Audible, just to see if he’s narrated anything else recently that I could devour. He’s like an elusive unicorn narrator, leaving me with this one perfect performance that I have to come back to again and again. My first experience listening to The Song of Achilles—the debut novel of Madeline Miller, who would later be known for her breakout best seller Circe—was transcendental. Really! I don’t use that term lightly. There’s not much that can live up to it in my eyes (even Circe *side-eyes other editors*)."
Melissa B., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Song of Achilles

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  • Overall
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I love this book

I didn’t think I’d like it as much as her other book Circe but I think I’m obsessed with this one. I wish there was more. I wish it was longer. I love the way she describes their emotions. It’s almost poetry. Absolutely beautiful book. I hope she writes MORE.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Damn good book

Holy shit this was good. Beautiful prose and a great reimagined story. Highly recommend giving this a go!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyed the story and performance immensely

Amazing story. Narrator does a fantastic job. It was touching and frustrating. A story that keeps you hooked.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

Even as moving as Circe, perhaps more so. Beautifully written and performed, I recommend this book.

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great story with a great ending

just beautiful. don't leave this earth without reading this.


amazing production by the narrator as well

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Started out confused....

I obviously did not know this book would turn into "Fifty Shades of Gay" and almost stopped listening when this novel drifted into long monotonous descriptions of homoeroticism. Have nothing against it. It was part of the Greek mythology and culture but it went on and on! Of course the bond between them needed to be established so the war itself could be fully realized in it's shocking and wrenching effect on the innocence of Achilles and Patroclus but it was here where the writing weakened and the dialogue drifted to soap opera level.

Then as the ships assemble for the Trojan War, the story develops a depth of emotion that pulls you through a timeline of fear, betrayal, violence and loss and the achingly beautiful ending. All was forgiven.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable retelling

It helps that I don’t remember much of The Odyssey, but I very much enjoyed the storytelling.

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Can I give it all 6/5 stars?

I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone with even a little interest in Classics.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Gorgeous Novel

I had no interest in reading a book about mythology. I was convinced by a friend to give it a try. I binged it...looking for excuses to listen. This was absolutely gorgeous from beginning to end. The narrator added to it's dreamy and magical quality. I loved thinking about our mortality as humans and the descriptions through the eyes of the gods of our human race. Loved every bit of it!

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Beautiful and spellbinding

Madeline Miller is genius. I can't wait for more. LOVED THIS AND CIRCE. I am now inspired to study Greek mythology!

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