“At once a scholar’s homage to The Iliad and startlingly original work of art by an incredibly talented new novelist….A book I could not put down.”—Ann Patchett
“Mary Renault lives again!” declares Emma Donoghue, author of Room, referring to The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller’s thrilling, profoundly moving, and utterly unique retelling of the legend of Achilles and the Trojan War.
A tale of … retelling of the legend of Achilles and the Trojan War.
A tale of gods, kings, immortal fame, and the human heart, The Song of Achilles is a dazzling literary feat that brilliantly reimagines Homer’s enduring masterwork, The Iliad. An action-packed adventure, an epic love story, a marvelously conceived and executed page-turner, Miller’s monumental debut novel has already earned resounding acclaim from some of contemporary fiction’s brightest lights—and fans of Mary Renault, Bernard Cornwell, Steven Pressfield, and Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome series will delight in this unforgettable journey back to ancient Greece in the Age of Heroes.
more
Awesome story telling of a classic legend. The story of Achilles and Patroclus gets a refresh. But no matter how they try the two can’t escape their fate.
it was awful
I really enjoyed reading this story through a different perspective. It actually made me want to revisit Greek mythology and learn more.
I LOVED this book. It took me a small step out of my comfort zone, but it was a phenomenal retelling of a age-old tale, and at its core it was a beautiful love story.
I am a hardcore lover of greek mythology, and this book didnt fail to delight! Its told from the perspective of achilles lover, from shortly before they met at around age 10, and follows them through their lives, living in fear of achilles wrathful goddess mother, being trained by a centaur, growing up in a castle, through so many years of the …
This book was such a beautiful and heart touching read!
Patroclus is our poetic narrator, and we get to join him as his admiration for Achilles grows to a love that is beyond epic. Follow along and watch the wonder that a true hero can create with love and bravery!
Miller uses ‘deceptively’ clear, simple prose to deliver perfect lines throughout this wonderful re-telling & emotional gut punches in the last chapters. Highly recommended read!
To be honest, it’s the first LGBT novel I’ve ever read (when I read it, I mean)
It’s also the first time, I met a hero character from another character’s pov. Now, that was something. Why?
First, making the readers root for the hero ‘Achilles’ while the story is happening in someone else’s head (think Great Gatsby), I think it’s really hard to …
literally probably the best book i’ve ever read. beautiful retelling of the tragedy of achilles. makes me wish i could find someone to die for. honestly i could read this book a million times over and never be sick of it.
This is the second book by Madeline Miller that I’ve read and I have to say though I did enjoy Circe for it’s alternate point of view, this one was by far the better story for me. It made me glad I didn’t read it first for I may have been disappointed in Circe, though I did enjoy them both. This book puts much more focus and character development …
Lovely personally like this close to me some remainder to me things that are to leave because they not for you they better someplace else thanks Ms miller for reminding me this by your book will keep in mind thanks again
Song of Achilles was a great book. The love story is worthy of any love story and the writing is stellar. I love Madeline Miller’s mythological tales.
I FUCKING LOVED IT. I think it’s my new favorite. it sticks to the truth but unravels as a novel. I was hooked within the first page. Really fast passed and great writing. I finished it today while crying in the airplane. Recommend this to any greek mythology fan. Btw it’s gay, like really gay and if you have a problem with that don’t read it. …
** spoiler alert ** A beautifully written novel by Madeline Miller!
The first thing I have to say is that it is evident that the author took ten years to complete this book; there are no holes in the plot, the details are beautifully composed, and the characters are brought to life in each chapter.
As a reader, I had to fall in love with …
when i tell you this book made me cry for days, like actual tears streaming down my cheeks. i absolutely recommend this book one of my favorites. <3
//TW: death, implied mature content, blood//
~Quick Statistics~
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 5/5 Stars
~Quick Review~
I have nothing but good things to say about The Song of Achilles. I acquired this novel through a book club, and having heard excellent things about …
I love this tale about two characters from the Iliad
Oh god, this book chewed me up and spat me out. I finished it a few days ago and I still feel so heart-broken. Beautifully written, it is every bit an epic romance as it is a historical action adventure. Whether or not this is how it went down between Achilles and Patroclus doesn’t really matter, on these pages there is no other way you would want …
I was unaware of the relationships in this story beforehand, so it was a really great way to learn one version of their story being told. Great detail throughout the book, but not too much to make it boring. Overall, very well written and captivating!
I still think about this book often. I loved it, and it stuck with me.