The Song of Achilles

A Novel

By: Madeline Miller

Narrated by: Frazer Douglas

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)

Awesome

Admittedly, I do love Greek mythology. As a high school English teacher, I teach the Odyssey in class, as well as many of the short stories, so I figured I would like this book. However, I really LOVED this book. First, it was extremely well read. I felt like I was listening to a bard of old telling the story. Second, the author sticks to the basics of the Iliad story quite well. However, she is creative with adding in details that make sense but we may have never thought of. I love how she wove in the different characters and even made Agammemon the jerk that I always thought he was. In the past, I had seen Achilles as a bit of a whiny baby, not wanting to fight due to a girl being taken from him. However, Miller makes us see the story from Patroclus' point of view and Achilles is far from the whiny brat of old. She changes the story to suit her characters, but it all makes sense with what we know of Greek mythology. I was so sad when this book ended and have already recommended it to my high school seniors as a great companion to our study of the Odyssey. Highly highly recommend, but especially if you like Greek myths.

If he talks about Achilles body one more time....

That's really my only complaint. I get Achilles is hot ok!?!? She goes into way too much detail there.

A Love Story Worthy of a Universal Poem

This is not a simple retelling of he Iliad, but an original contribution to the homeric poem. Miller's Song makes Achilles a lot more sympathetic than in the original poem and brings Patroclus to the foreground. The language is terse and beautiful, the metaphors appropriate to the setting, and the characterizations vivid and realistic. Although the author makes substantial contributions to the story of the war at Troy, adding a prequel and a touching, satisfying finale, the original material is handled with such care and reverence that it reads like a love letter to Homer. Absolutely beautiful.

Hubris

The perspective on the mythology is great, good narration. A hard look at desire and motivation

A pretty good rendition

Most people who read this will be familiar with the story of Achilles and I have to say this one is fairly faithful to the lore. It touches on mythology but nothing too deep or intense if that's not your thing, my only complaint is how what seems to be the most riveting parts of the book end up feeling the most rushed.

Unexpected but good

The story of Achilles told through the eyes of his companion Patroclus. It was an unexpected but beautiful and genuine love story wrapped up in myth and legend. It tells a story we all know through a new and interesting lens. The writing is great, the performer is excellent, and I really enjoyed this book.

Wonderful

the reader makes the book!

the words are so sweet, a new capture of the tale of achillies!

Beautiful and tragic

I cried so hard at the end, one of the most touching love stories ever told.

Passion

This novel will not allow you to sleep. The romance of Achilles and Patroclus is overtaking and lovely. No regrets reading it.

Gorgeous. I Just Love This.

This was something else, and I enjoyed every layer and nuance. It adds depth, complexity, and a full range of human emotions to a previously known story (Achilles and the Trojan war). It was not at all what I expected, in the most rewarding sort of way.

Everything about the style and voice was so honest, that it took me back in time, to a place where honor is often valued above all else. I can't wait to pick up and read Circe next. I hope it's as worthwhile as this read.