"Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the art of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess.
But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear."
The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller, exceeded every expectation I held previously. I had been looking forward to reading it for quite some time, since I'd heard so much about it from a couple friends on Tumblr. I have a mild(ly intense) fascination (obsession) with Ancient Greece, so I was keen to make the acquaintance of Patroclus and Achilles from a closer perspective. Of course, since I do not live under a rock, I was aware of the fact that *SPOILER ALERT* the two of them do not exit the war alive. What I did not know however, was just how deeply I would come to care for their characters.
I was also amazed at just how quickly I felt I knew them inside and out. It was only about eighty pages in, when I was reminiscing about how fond they'd grown of each other, and how easily and seamlessly their relationship and the story had progressed. I am often troubled by books with a long timeline as I tend to feel they are crammed, or are lacking in detail. Yet somehow Miller has very successfully captured twenty years worth of enticing plot onto only 352 pages...
The chapters are elegantly constructed, each word catching my breath as much as the next; every scene jumping off the page... It is incredibly eloquent and mature, with the right amount of humour and lust.
When I reached the end, I did not know how to feel. I'm not going to lie, that is a phrase I often use upon finishing a book, because it is most always true. But perhaps this time is the truest of all. I felt the most overwhelming tangle of emotions. Caught somewhere between grief, heartbreak, happiness, gratefulness, fulfilment, love, anguish, and bareness. With the last words being an echo from a previous line, my heart and soul completely burst as I fell into tears.
Madeline Miller is an incredible talent, and I feel absurdly lucky to have read this book. It has easily claimed top spot on my list of favorite books. I hold Patroclus and Achilles so close to my heart, and I will never forget my experience reading this book. 10/10 would recommend. I do not think you will ever find a more sublime or hypnotizing retelling of the classic Iliad.
You can purchase The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller here!
Just for good measure, if you're into reading the epics, click here for Homer's The Iliad.
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