The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Pages: 364
First Published: September 20th, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781408891384
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – QBD

The Song of Achilles:

Recently I was able to finally pick up The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and I’m so glad that I did. I fell in love with this book the moment that I started reading it. I don’t even know why it took me so long to read, I had only heard good things about it, and it’s about Greek history and mythology so why wouldn’t I love it? Anyway, today I thought I would share five of my favourite things about The Song of Achilles, so let’s go. 

Writing 

The one thing that really sticks out for me in The Song of Achilles is the writing. From the very first page, I was addicted. It’s poetic, captivating and is still able to tell the story in a way that is easily understandable. Whenever I try and sell this at work, I always mention the writing. The prose is elegant and simple at the same time and just works so well. 

“And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone.”

The words throughout the novel, the emotions aren’t just felt with the characters, but with the words themselves. There are scenes where the emotions jump straight from the page. I think what I like most about the writing of The Song of Achilles is that it is easy to understand. It’s a classic story, told through beautiful writing that anyone can understand. 

Patroclus

Patroclus is brave, strong, and innocent. He is mortal in a godlike world, and stills stand out. I loved that the reader is able to see Patroclus from when he was a child. We are able to see him grow into the man that he is before and during the war of Troy. Patroclus has been through a lot, and that really does play with his character arc. For most of the book, Patroclus is very innocent, but I think I really liked that. It’s very rare that I read about an innocent male character and that just made me connect with him more. 

“When he died, all things soft and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.” 

I loved Patroclus character arc as well. I loved seeing him grow and getting to know more about him. But not only that, I loved Patroclus finding out more about himself. His character arc was fantastic and really shone through the book. Madeline Miller is able to capture such a strong character, in a book that is strong on its own. She is able to put this person on a page, but he comes across, so real. 

Romance 

The romance in The Song of Achilles is very complex and beautiful. We know both Patroclus and Achilles right from the start and the reader is able to see them slowly fall for one another. But it wasn’t just that, we see them form such a close bond that it just made me so happy. They are polar opposites, but that seems to play in their favour. Patroclus is very innocent and wants the best for everyone, while Achilles was born a fighter. And all of these personalities play into their interactions with one another. 

“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.” 

I’ve read a lot of reviews about others not liking Achilles and I can see why. However, that’s who he is. He is a hero, who’s been brought up knowing he is going to the best. And that plays a lot into his character. But Patroclus is able to hold Achilles in a lot and that was really nice. Their story is heartbreaking no denying it, but it’s also so beautiful. The way that they cared for one another and then fell for each other – oh gosh my heart. 

Greek Mythology 

There is a lot of debate about whether this is a retelling or just another version of the story. And I think it’s both. Throughout history, it wasn’t well hidden that Patroclus and Achilles were lovers, but it also wasn’t explicitly said. What Madeline Miller does shine on this relationship, rather than the war. 

And what I love most about this is just how true to the story Madeline Miller was able to be. I love Greek mythology and history, I studied it in high school and wish I could have gone further. But what I don’t always love about retellings or versions of books, films, and even TV is the inaccuracy. And I loved that Miller was able to capture this beautiful romance, with a beautiful writing style, but also stay true. 

“He is a weapon, a killer. Do not forget it. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature.” 

The Trojan war went on for 10 years, and I liked that it wasn’t romanized the hardship that the soldiers had to go through. It was brutal and wasn’t easy for anyone. I’ve also seen while reading reviews about the way that they treat women, slaves or anyone really throughout the story. And while it is horrible, and I don’t ever condone it, it was true to the story – oh gosh that is hard to say. But also know that there are some quite graphic and hard scenes to read inThe Song of Achilles, especially for women.

“Name one hero who was happy.”
– “You can’t.” He was sitting up now, leaning forward.
“I can’t.

Going into the book, I knew how the story would end, but that didn’t make it easier. It was hard to read and I cried, I cried. But then I also loved it. 

Timeline 

I’ve spoken about this briefly before, but I liked what Madeline Miller regarding when to set the book in the timeline. I think it was very wise and intriguing to start The Song of Achilles from when the boys were young. It added more depth, and character to the novel. It allowed for characterisation, a friendship that squeezed my heart. And also it didn’t leave us reading about a war that lasted 10 years. Normally a lot of novels that recount the Trojan War, are set when Paris takes Helen to Troy, and that’s where everything starts. 

Chiron had said once that nations were the most foolish of mortal inventions. “No man is worth more than another, wherever he is from.” 

Beginning the novel earlier also lets the reader really know Patroclus and Achilles so much better. We just don’t know them by themselves, but together. The reader is able to see them fall in love, have their hearts broken, learn what it’s like to hero, a male in the time. It just worked so well. 

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I could go on and on about  The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, but if you haven’t read it and love Greek Mythology, please pick it up. And even if you don’t and want to try some, it’s the perfect way to fall into it. The romance is beautiful and heartbreaking. The story will tear you to pieces, but you will be happy when it’s all over. If you are just looking for a fantastic read, then pick this up. 

Have you read The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller? What did you think of it? What are some of your favourite Greek Mythology retellings? Let’s have a chat!