The Song of Achilles

This is such a gorgeous retelling of The Iliad (which I read in August 2024), and coming back to this story a year later was so comforting. I already knew how it would end, and that made it even more heartbreaking. I was crying embarrassingly early just from the knowing. I loved the narrowed focus on Patroclus and Achilles. The whole world is filtered through Patroclus’ eyes, and it makes Achilles so much easier to love and understand. He’s not just the prideful, arrogant hero, he’s gentle, trusting, loving, and deeply aware of his destiny. I loved Briseis’ characterization. My biggest frustration in The Iliad is the same here: the moment I wanted to scream at Patroclus don’t go, don’t do it. But of course, none of it show more matters, you can only delay the inevitable. The meddling gods, the sense of humans constantly interpreting divine chaos, it all felt rich and tragic and indulgent. I’m curious how it hits readers unfamiliar with the story. I loved this book. Now to finally read The Odyssey, hopefully not a full year from now. show less

DNF @ 10%.

Content warnings (that I encountered in the few pages I read):
- rape and taking the side & pov of the rapist
- misogyny
- fatphobia

Warning:
Discussions of rape in this review.

I was so excited for this book. It seems to be everywhere, and everyone loves it. My disappointment is … massive.

My first impression was that the writing was, in fact, very good. I have seen quotes from The Song of Achilles around my socials, so I know Madeline Miller can write, but her prose really is gorgeous. Unfortunately it all became flowery and empty when her lovely writing was reserved for describing Achilles, and that only. It left a sweetly sick taste in my mouth.

But I could live with that, of course.
What made me stop reading was the show more overwhelming presence of misogyny and the rape. I understand this takes place in ancient Greece, and that women didn’t have the best lives, I do, but this is also supposed to be a YA book, and I think the author maybe forgot who she was writing for when trying to make her book … I don’t know, historically accurate or something. I’m well aware Zeus, for example, “ravished” many mortal women, and the book does mention his “conquests”, too, but at one point early on in the backstory, a human man rapes a goddess, and we see the man’s side. [Spoiler used for disturbing content:] We hear about the men advising him how to do it … how to catch her and hold her down. We hear about how for a year she had to stay with him and be raped over and over again. And after all that, the narration has the audacity to say, “An ordinary wife would have counted herself lucky to find a husband with Peleus’ mildness …”

I’m a survivor, and I just can’t handle this. I don’t really care how great the love story of Patroclus and Achilles is. I’m going to read something else. show less

I knew how this book would end since I knew the story, but the way Miller writes it just destroyed me. This books was not what I thought it was going to be, in a good way. I thought it was mostly going to focus on the war, but I love that it shows the whole life of the characters. The novel format of this makes the story much more accessible for people. Miller paints the relationship so beautifully and boldly that I couldn't help but wish for a different end. This book absolutely lives up to the hype.

3.5 Stars

Unpopular opinion alert!

Chosen for a specific reading challenge, admittedly, this isn’t my typical reading fare as Greek mythology and the arrogant gods who love to meddle, as well as this being a tragedy doomed from the start, will never be my first choice.

Vivid in its rendering of one destined for greatness, Gods touched for the promise of glory but with such a promise, there’s always a steep price. Ultimately, there's no glory here. Achilles may be remembered for eternity but wasting a decade fighting a pointless war only to succumb and fall was quite pointless to me.

Regardless, I do see what all the fuss is about. This is no doubt a beautifully written book, rich with nuance and a detailed retelling of the doomed show more Patroclus and his equally doomed Achilles. The story between these two stands the test of time as their love is loyal, devoted, and unwavering, despite any and all (including fate and prophecy) that conspire against them.

I appreciate this for what it is, and I’m not surprised that it has won many accolades and awards. Miller obviously has a way with words but when it comes down to it, ultimately for me, this was just not personally enjoyable despite the stellar, talented prose. show less

Updated Review
I absolutely have no rational reason for not having read this book till now. It’s been on my TBR for more than an year, I own the book in three different formats and I knew I would love it. So, I really don’t know what was stopping me, except maybe that I didn’t want my heart to be broken. And I also recently watched the TV show Troy on Netflix, so I decided to read the book finally while some of the characters names were still fresh in my mind.

I am one of those readers who likes my books to be written in a simple way, poetic language and purple prose doesn’t really work for me and I have DNFd quite a few books for being written that way. However, this book was a pleasant surprise. The author’s writing is the show more definition of poetic but I fell in love with the beauty of it. The development of the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles, the tenderness and unconditional nature of their friendship and love is just so all encompassing that I felt every single emotion that they felt. While the first half deals with this progression, the second half was about the Trojan War. However, the author manages to finely balance this and provides enough action to keep us on the edge of our seats but the relationship is always at the forefront.

I frankly have no words to describe the characters. Patroclus is such a good person and after having been exiled by his father, his whole life literally revolves around Achilles. He does everything he can to ensure Achilles gets the honor and fame that he wants, whatever the consequences might be for himself and his love. I loved him right from the get go and seeing Achilles from his perspective, it’s difficult not to fall in love with him too. However, we also see the change in Achilles, how he can’t really escape his fate and how much role his own hubris plays in his downfall, but through all of it, Patroclus’s love for him never wavers and that kind of love is only possible in myths.

I am sorry everyone, I have no clue what I am writing here. I think I just don’t have words to review how much I loved this book. This book is an embodiment of knowing what the ending is but still reading the book because the journey is magical. I cried and cried towards the end and had to take a break from reading for a couple of days because I couldn’t get it out of my head. If you enjoy mythology or a great love story, then I highly recommend this one. It might be a Greek tragedy, but I promise you, the experience is worth it.

Initial thoughts
I’m too busy weeping right now...😭😭😭😭😭
RTC when I’m able to... show less

WOW! I had read Circe by Madeline miller first and although enjoyable, I didn't get the hype. Because of that, I went into this book with low expectations, but I have never been so glad to be wrong! The way that Miller breathed life into these characters is unparalleled. Often with mythology retellings there is little added value or content, and for those that are familiar with the stories the book can get predictable and dry. But the song of Achilles almost made me want to go read the Iliad again! The words were crafted so beautifully that I found myself rereading sentences ten times over just to let the depth of them sink in. I love these characters and I love this book, despite how many tears were shed at the end!

Happily ensconced in my sleeping bag I lost myself in this wonderful début novel for hours on end. In Miller’s careful creation we experience the excitement and tragedy of the Trojan War in all its golden glory, narrated by the deeply invested bystander Patroclus; exiled prince, great friend and lover of Achilles. As well as exploring the legendary relationship between these two mythical figures, those rusty on their Homer can sink their teeth into the gory, glamorous details and follow golden boy Achilles as he hurtles towards his fate. Forget Brad Pitt, this is the real(ish) deal. Miller knows her onions and uses her impressive knowledge as a classicist, combined with very natural story-telling skills to create a seamless show more narrative, colourful world and characters you can really become invested with.

This was the perfect holiday read. Unadulterated entertainment with brains. Miller’s concept; which takes the story of The Iliad, embellishes it and makes it more accessible for modern readers, is genius. Although I am no classicist myself, the impression left was one of great research and consideration (down to the last accuracy) yet of writing skilled enough to avoid becoming overwhelmed by this detail. The Patroclus – Achilles relationship reigns supreme throughout, at times becoming too slushy for words, however the splendid writing and the efficacy of the bystander-narrative saves this wonderful début novel from veering over into the realms of slash fiction. Thank GOD.

An excellent début and thoroughly deserved winner of what once was the Orange Prize for Fiction.

http://relishreads.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/the-song-of-achilles/ show less