by Madeline Miller
Rating: 5 stars
Source: Publisher, for review purposes
Publication: August 28, 2012
Pages: 416
Book: Facebook Page
Publisher: Ecco
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depository
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.
The first thing I noticed about this book is how rich in emotion it is. More than a story about two warriors who fall in the Trojan War, it is about two boys finding their identity in a time of conflict, heroes, and legends in the making. It is the story about the young man who understood and loved Achilles more than any other mortal of his time. His memories of his childhood days growing up with Achilles reminds us that there is more to the hero than the one who was the greatest warrior of his generation.
Patroclus does not have a warrior’s built, but he knows how to treasure life. Within lies a tender soul that yearns for recognition and love. Despite any qualms he may have, he follows Achilles unconditionally because Achilles is the first to truly acknowledge and accept him for who he is and without judgment. The two of them are soul mates. And each moment of happiness that they find together is all the more precious because we know from Greek mythology that there is going to be a tragedy at Troy, and Achilles and Patroclus’s time on Earth is short-lived.
Though narrated by Patroclus, The Song of Achilles is the poignant story of two Greek warriors, as narrated from their childhood days to their fall in the Trojan War. It is about how the events of their era shaped their lives and resulted in the legends that we remember today; it is about the people behind the legends. I recommend this story to those looking for a story with deep roots in Greek Mythology, emotion-rich books, and a tale of friendship and love.
This book is going on my Keeper shelf.
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Alyssa Edradan says
This book has been recommended to me a lot of times by my friends and I decided to buy a copy really soon. I'm excited to read it!
Crystal says
It's a fantastic book! I hope you enjoy it, Alyssa! 🙂