The Song Of Achilles Paperback – September 21, 2017

When I was in high school (mid 80’s) Greek mythology (Iliad/Odyssey) was required reading. I tortured myself for hours attempting to understand the heavily worded passages filled with war and death. So, when my book club member picked “The Song of Achilles”, I read the summary and feared that it would be difficult to start, never-mind finish. And while I love to read, this didn’t seem like a book I would have selected or enjoyed. Yes, I like movies like “300” and “Gladiator”, and TV shows like “Spartacus”, but was I really ready to voluntarily enter the world of the Trojan war? Guess what? I did and I really, really liked it. The language was not difficult to understand, and the novel was not so heavily worded that I had to reread the passages over and over. The writing was simple (of course I stumbled over some of the names) and filled with new and inventive plot possibilities. But the most interesting thing about this story is how the story is told. We see the rise and fall of Achilles, through the eyes of his companion/lover, Patroclus.Exiled Prince, Patroclus, meets Achilles when he is sent to live with King Peleus. Achilles is the son of Peleus and the Sea Nymph, Thetis. Achilles is confident, handsome, fearless, not to mention destined for great things. Clumsy, awkward and shy, Patroclus is everything that Achilles is not. So, when Achilles picks Patroclus as his companion, everyone is shocked and dismayed. Soon we are allowed to follow their growing relationship from young boys to grown men, and from friends to lovers.Eventually, they are sent to train with Chiron (half horse/half man/Centaur) until Achilles (commanded by his mother) is sent into hiding (as a woman) in another kingdom. There he secretly marries the princess and sires a child. Patroclus finds him and they are dispatched to fight in the war (Paris has taken Helen to Troy and won’t return her). This is Achilles’ opportunity to show and prove his greatness. They toll for 10 years (even overcoming a plague) outside the gates of Troy. And then, following an affront to his reputation (the greedy King Agamemnon attempted to claim one of his possessions, Briseis, who he only saved to appease Patroclus), Achilles refuses to fight until he gets an apology, although this will mean several of his people will die. Without their greatest warrior, they are doomed. Patroclus tries to reason with Achilles but to no avail. So, in an attempt to make things better (amongst the men), restore Achilles reputation and help win the war, Patroclus sets out on a fool’s errand to attack the gates of Troy. Unfortunately, he is killed by Hector (Achilles arch enemy). Grieving (and dealing with a lot of guilt), Achilles sets out to avenge Patroclus’ death. He will stop at nothing until he gets his revenge by killing Hector. And while he achieves his goals, he too is killed (by Paris, with the help of Apollo).What I liked:1. While you may think that Achilles is the hero or what the story is about, it is really about Patroclus, who loved him unconditionally regardless of his flaws. Yes, Achilles was beautiful, musically talented (lyre) and a skilled warrior, but he was also aloof and at times difficult. And while Patroclus saw his shortcomings, he loved him in spite of them. Eventually even giving his life to make sure that Achilles remained whole.2. The dynamic between Achilles, his mother (Thetis) and Patroclus. While Thetis never thought Patroclus was good enough for her son and never understood their love, it is his telling their life stories and their mutual love that in the end softened her outer shell (ok, kind-of). She came to understand that Patroclus loved her son.3. Briseis’ story. Her words of love to Patroclus and her willingness to stay with him forever, even if that meant sharing him with Achilles was simply beautiful. Not to mention, in the end she died on her own terms, refusing to be claimed (by Agamemnon) or enslaved again.4. Achilles’ rage. I could imagine what Achilles was feeling as he circled the gates of Troy dragging Hector’s body behind him. I understood his grief and sympathized when he refused to give Priam his son, Hector’s remains. And I could visualize Achilles leaning over and caring for Patroclus’ remains, hoping that he would awaken or be resurrected.5. Achilles’ death. It was beautifully written. “He turns his head a little, as if to watch it come. He closes his eyes and feels its point push through his skin, parting thick muscle, warming its way past the interlacing fingers of his ribs.” Once he avenged the death of the person he loved, he had nothing really to live for. He did not want to live in a world without his soulmate.I am undecided about:1. The hasty conclusion. I would have liked to really see more of Pyrrhus’ reign. I did find it ironic that unlike Achilles (who was reared by his mortal father and Chiron), his son, Pyrrhus was allowed to grow and develop under Thetis. She believed that Achilles humanness made him vulnerable, so I was curious to see did this opportunity to raise another version of Achilles make a difference. Pyrrhus, while a great warrior and strategist, was cold, entitled, selfish and mean. The opposite of Achilles, who while aloof, was able to love, and yet they both had the same fate. Neither was fated to live forever. Ironically, Achilles’ son died for the same affront (claiming or taking a woman) that caused Achilles to stop fighting.In conclusion, I only touched on a few things from the book in this review. But be assured, there is a lot that made this a fascinating read. There was romance, treachery, war, passion (because there is a difference between romance and passion), tragedy and good old Greek mythology. What else do you need? 4.5 stars

Epic and beautifully intimate in scope, Madeline Miller crafts a story within Homer's source material that takes a life of it's own.Achilles seen through the eyes of Patroclus, and the story of Patroclus himself.The characters are so brightly human; and a tale of friendship, love, glory & inescapable fate, so moving and utterly believable it rings true through the backdrop of gods, monsters, and heroes.A story that needed to be told. For beautiful Patroclus.

Beautifully written and researched book. What a phenomenal job of bringing literary characters to life and telling such an epic story through the lens of a minor character. As with all stories, creative license was taken and sometimes in ways I didn’t love. But, the story never felt untrue to the original tales. It felt more like a curtain was being pulled back to show more about characters we thought we knew, such as Odysseus or Achilles. Also, although I understand the interpretation that supports a romantic love between Patroclus and Achilles, I can also see the love of brotherhood, men in arms, and friendship that would justify Achilles response as well. Nonetheless, the scene of Patroclus at war is so well done that it rivals the description in the Iliad of Hector’s and Achilles’ battle.

(Note: This review may contain spoilers.)The Song of Achilles, an eloquent and enchanting narrative, is much like an exquisite tapestry woven from the threads of love, heartache, loyalty, and the relentless passage of time. This book has the rare quality of stirring emotions deep within, evoking a yearning for a love as profound as the one between Achilles and Patroclus, and a sense of sorrow when that love is snatched away.Beyond the main protagonists, a character that truly captivated my heart was Thetis, the mother of Achilles. In a world where sea-nymphs like her are disdained by the higher gods, her tenacity and dedication to being the best mother she possibly can be is a poignant subplot. Despite the strife that initially exists between Thetis and Patroclus, the resolution of their discord is a testament to the transformative power of understanding and forgiveness.However, the inevitable tragedy of Thetis never being able to see her beloved son again leaves a profound sense of sorrow. It's a heartrending moment that's beautifully crafted, reminding us of the inevitable pain and sacrifice that often accompany deep love.Yet, this book is not simply a tale of love and loss. It's a soulful exploration of the human condition, of our capacity for love, of our courage in the face of adversity, and of the fleeting nature of life itself. The Song of Achilles is a literary masterpiece that leaves an indelible imprint on the reader's heart.For someone who generally finds it challenging to stay engrossed in a book, this narrative has been an absolute delight. Its prose flows smoothly like a river, its characters are strikingly real, and its themes resonate long after the final page has been turned.In conclusion, The Song of Achilles is a compelling narrative that weaves a complex web of emotions, making it a book that's truly worth immersing oneself in. It's a symphony of words that sings a song of love, courage, and sacrifice. It's a book that doesn't just tell a story, it makes you feel it, live it, and remember it long after you've put it down.