BOOK: The Song of Achilles (2012) - Quick Review

Disclaimer: Spoilers of the book The Song of Achilles, as well as some events of The Iliad by Homer, but only after the warning. All of this is just my opinion based on my experiences reading it. I hope you enjoy!

• Author: Madeline Miller
• Series: --
• Publisher: Ecco
• Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Retelling

Summary: Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath.

They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to 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 cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

(From Goodreads)

My thoughts (spoilers of a 1000 year old story, I guess)

"Name one hero who was happy."

Greek mythology is full of interesting legends, but there's something special about the famous Trojan War and, specifically, Achilles' story. As much as I don't really read tragedies, they are timeless in the way they're able to connect people through feelings we all share. Even though it's been millennia since Homer's epic was written and I've never even been to Greece, we can all understand the pain of losing a loved one, of making hard choices, of hurting others. 

Madeline Miller's retelling of The Iliad beautifully captures the mythological essence of old Greek tales, while also being more accessible and even more heart-breaking. Through detailed descriptions of gods and little daily-life details, it's easy to let yourself wander through the woods of Mt. Pelion or the sands of Troy.

But between all the kings and heroes and gods, we get to see a side of Achilles and Patroclus that feels a lot more raw. As much as their actions are dramatized to fit the story, their characters are very fleshed out to the small details. I specially enjoyed their almost-opposite development: while Patroclus grew more confident and found his place amongst the rest, Achilles changed from someone viewed as perfect to a human just like us, capable of loosing his way and making mistakes.

And it's very emotional to see their love continue strong despite all the hardships, and the last chapters surely brought me to tears. Even knowing the ending already, the way the story is told keeps us hooked to the very end while also bringing some fresh perspectives. I will definitely remember Achilles and Patroclus' relationship fondly whenever I think of The Iliad. Oh, how the mighty fall in love, as they say.

Overall, The Song of Achilles is a great retelling, with the perfect balance between the original epic and a more modern story. It's full of graceful quotes and well-done research, and the gaps Miller filled, specially related to the personality and action of some characters, still feel very believable. I very much recommend it, specially if you are a fan of mythology like me.

The Song of Achilles receives a 10/10 from me.