The Song of Achilles

The 10th Anniversary edition of the Women's Prize-winning bestseller

By: Madeline Miller

Narrated by: Frazer Douglas

MESTRA -THE NEW SHORT STORY BY MADELINE MILLER OUT 29 SEPTEMBER

Bloomsbury presents The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, read by Frazer Douglas.

**OVER 3 MILLION COPIES SOLD**

WINNER OF THE ORANGE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION
THE INTERNATIONAL SENSATION
A SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

'Captivating' DONNA TARTT
'I loved it' J K ROWLING
'Ravishingly vivid' EMMA DONOGHUE

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 differences, 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's 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.

'A book I could not put down' ANN PATCHETT
‘An exciting, sexy, violent Superman version of The Iliad’ GUARDIAN
‘Sexy, dangerous, mystical’ BETTANY HUGHES©2012 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

A captivating retelling of the Iliad and events leading up to it through the point of view of Patroclus: it's a hard book to put down, and any classicist will be enthralled by her characterisation of the goddess Thetis, which carries the true savagery and chill of antiquity

At once a scholar’s homage to the Iliad and startlingly original work of art by an incredibly talented new novelist ... A book I could not put down

This is a deeply affecting version of the Achilles story: a fully three-dimensional man – a son, a father, husband and lover – now exists where a superhero previously stood and fought

Extraordinary ... Beautifully descriptive and heart-achingly lyrical, this is a love story as sensitive and intuitive as any you will find

A remarkably fresh take on one of the most familiar narratives in western literature

Original, clever, and in a class of its own ... an incredibly compelling and seductive read

Inventive, passionate, uplifting and different ... A truly worthy winner

Sexy, dangerous, mystical (Bettany Hughes)

An original page-turning homage to The Iliad … Miller’s prose is vividly atmospheric, retelling the siege of Troy in all its heroic devastation

Gorgeous prose and strong storytelling

Narrator has such skill in weaving the story. Reccomended this highly story highly and I listened to the whole thing in 3 days.

The Ancient Greeks

What a wonder would it have been to have lived and breathe and died amongst them.
This was such a beautiful story, well written, well performed and such a beautiful view into what ... maybe ... could have been. I want to believe it was real and not just a myth.

A beautiful take on a classic tale

Some of the most beautiful writing I have come across. sensitively and passionately read. just a treat in every way.

An amazing retelling on a classic tale.

If you want to discover the myth of Achilles through the eyes of his companion, this is a must read. Excellent retelling accompanied by excellent naration. I will be revisiting this again and again.

Amazing! Loved every minute!

Absolutely worth listening to! It is well written and well read. Would definitely recommend it.