The Song of Achilles: A Novel (P.S.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When I was a teenage boy, grappling with the complexities of my own identity, I felt isolated and misunderstood. The world around me seemed to echo only one message—that being different was something to hide. But then I stumbled upon the story of Patroclus and Achilles, two legendary figures from ancient Greece whose bond transcended friendship. Their courage, loyalty, and deep affection for each other painted a picture of love that was both fierce and unapologetic. Learning about them was like finding a beacon in the dark. Their story didn’t just speak of heroics on the battlefield but of the profound connection they shared, a love that defied the expectations of their time. This realization planted a seed of hope within me. It showed me that love, in all its forms, has always existed and has been honored in history’s most epic tales. Patroclus and Achilles’ story saved me because it made me feel seen. It whispered that I wasn’t alone, that my feelings were not new or wrong—they were part of the same human tapestry that wove through time. Because of them, I found the strength to embrace who I was, to believe that my identity was not a burden but a part of my own story worth telling. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is an exquisite retelling of a timeless tale, breathing new life into the epic story from The Iliad. Miller's lyrical prose and deep character development transform the mythological narrative into an intimate, heartfelt journey. The love story between Achilles and Patroclus is depicted with such beauty and authenticity that it lingers long after the final page. This novel not only honors Homer’s classic but adds a profound emotional layer, making ancient history feel vivid and relatable. A truly unforgettable masterpiece that captivates both heart and mind.

The love between Achilles and Patroclus is one of the great classics of Greek literature. For gay men, it's a story we can look to as proof that there have always been men who loved other men, and they weren't always as reviled as we sometimes feel in modern society. It's no wonder that contemporary authors keep returning to the story to try and reinterpret it. "The Song of Achilles" gives us the story from Patroclus' point of view. We follow him from early childhood, when his aggressive father puts him forth as one of Helen's suitors at the age of nine, through the accidental killing of a noble boy which sends him into exile, where he meets Achilles. As the two boys grow into young men, love blooms, and Achilles remains devoted to Patroclus, despite the objections of his mother, the sea-nymph Thetis. Although Thetis is determined that Achilles fulfill his destiny as the greatest of all Greeks, when news of the war with Troy comes, she spirits her son away into hiding to keep him from going. Patroclus tracks him down, to find Achilles in drag and secretly married to a princess. Soon Odysseus also discovers where Achilles is hiding and the young man is finally convinced that he must join the battle to fulfill his destiny. While Patroclus has no desire to fight, he knows that his place is by Achilles' side, even though he knows that the hero is destined not to survive the war. The events of the battle of Troy unfold much as they are related in the Illiad, only now we see them through Patroclus' eyes. We see how Agamemnon's poor leadership and jealousy of Achilles' prowess leads them both down the path to conflict, which ultimately leads to the warrior's withdrawal from battle. In this key moment, we see how Achilles' own determination to meet his fate is forged. Unlike other modern interpretations of the Illiad, "The Song of Achilles" does not relegate the gods to abstract ideas, but rather makes them very real and an integral part of the story. The two young men spend several years in the wilderness with the centaur Chiron, and then of course there is Achilles' mother, Thetis. The goddess watches over Achilles and, being divine, she can see everything her son does. While the erotic content of this book is minimal, there's enough to strongly suggest that Achilles and Patroclus enjoy a physical relationship, formed when they were in the one place Thetis couldn't see them, when they were with Chiron. Imagine doing the nasty with your boyfriend knowing his mother could see you. No wonder Patroclus fears Thetis so much. Retelling a well known story can be no easy task. You can't very well change the tragic ending, or even the major events. The most you can really do is try to bring a fresh perspective to the tale. By giving us Patroclus' point of view, "The Song of Achilles" does achieve that, and it does it in a very readable style that doesn't attempt the poetic cadence of many Homeric translations. The portrayal of Patroclus as a less-than-heroic figure, at least until the very end, is a little different and personally something of a disappointment, but the contrast it creates with Achilles definitely adds to the story. The contrast between the shy, gentle Patroclus and the supremely self-confident warrior Achilles couldn't be greater. This is definitely a worthy addition to the collection of Achilles lore.

Originally posted on my blog at https://rantandraveaboutbooks.com/2016/07/29/the-song-of-achilles-fate-fury-and-friendship-make-for-a-rave-review/ First, I think it’s important to mention that The Iliad is my favorite book, so my connection to the characters and this story is much deeper than most. I read The Iliad in 2001 and have since been obsessed with all things Greek mythology as well as anything related to the Trojan War. I’ve read The Iliad a total of six times in its entirety, so when I read The Song of Achilles, a work of historical fiction based on the book, I was completely blow away. I can’t remember the last time I stared at the last page of a novel and felt that satisfied. I recently wrote a post about The Iliad if you want to learn more about the original and the modern-day spin I added to it. We read The Song of Achilles as our Book of the Month for Hype or Like Friday, a Goodreads group I co-created with Britt and Larkin, and I’m looking forward to reading the reviews. If you’re a member of the group or have reviewed this book in the past, feel free to share the link to your review in the comments. I often switch up my review style, and I’ve decided to break the novel into 5 categories: Writing, Characters, Plot, Historical Accuracy, and Themes. Note: If you haven’t read The Iliad or are unaware of the history/mythology surrounding the Trojan War, then consider this your warning that there are major spoilers below that explain both The Iliad and The Song of Achilles in great detail. The Writing… Madeline Miller’s prose is so beautiful I was instantly drawn into this novel from the first page. It’s really brilliant, and that’s a word I’ve only used to describe Stephen King’s prose, so that actually means something to me in terms of quality. I’m impressed with very few authors’ writing style, which made this book unputdownable for me. I didn’t realize until after I read the novel that Miller studied and teaches classic literature, and it really shines through. The Song of Achilles is so well written I couldn’t believe this was her first novel. I avoided this one for a while because I was afraid it couldn’t live up to my favorite book. I never thought a re-telling could do Homer justice, but this book knocked it out of the park. The Characters… Choosing Patroclus as the narrator of this story was a BRILLIANT idea! My first thought was how can Patroclus narrate from first person POV when his death is what drives Achilles to kill Hector in a fit of rage, knowing it will lead to his own death? I don’t think this counts as a spoiler considering The Iliad is over three thousand years old and most people know the story of Achilles by now. And that’s not even the most important aspect of this book. I’ve always loved Patroclus and Achilles together. They are The Iliad, at least they are for me. Homer never mentions they’re lovers in his work, but some historians believe the reason Achilles was so distraught over Patroclus’ death was because they were in a relationship. His pain would’ve been real whether they were friends or lovers. Who wouldn’t mourn the loss of their best friend, someone they grew up with? But that’s the spin Miller takes on my favorite classic that really intrigued me. My other favorite character is Briseis, who we later meet during the Trojan War when King Agamemnon holds her captive. The Iliad starts off with Achilles fighting with Agamemnon over Briseis. It plays out almost the same but a bit different in this book. Regardless of the representation, we still get the same gist that the trio spent years living together, which is another part of The Iliad and this book I really liked. “She is in Agamemnon’s custody, but she is Achilles’ prize still. To violate her is a violation of Achilles himself, the gravest insult to his honor. Achilles could kill him for it, and even Menelaus would call it fair.” Achilles is such a tough, strong-willed character that overpowers Patroclus’ more sensitive side, but the two of them work so well together. When Achilles is about to go off the rails, it’s always Patroclus that can rein him in. The Plot… Patroclus was a prince, exiled and sent to live at King Peleus’ court. Achilles’ father wasn’t keen on Patroclus and Achilles’ friendship because he was no longer a prince, but Achilles chose him and that was all that mattered. Everyone listened to what the prince said, and when Achilles speaks in the book, I really felt the power behind his words. His arrogance and air of entitlement can be an issue with some readers, but I see his character from a completely different perspective than most. I like that Miller starts off with Patroclus at age five, drawing you into the world of Achilles, the handsome demi-god with skills that would’ve made every Greek jealous except Patroclus. He admired Achilles, loved him from a distance for years until one day they kissed and the rest is history. When Helen of Sparta, later known as Helen of Troy, is allegedly kidnapped and taken to Troy this prompts Achilles’ need to fight. In The Iliad, Aphrodite promises Paris, Prince of Troy, a beautiful woman, and Helen was considered one of the most beautiful women of that time. This is not shown in the novel, but I thought I’d mention it to give you some context. The entire war and story is set in motion by Helen and Paris’ relationship that angers her husband Menelaus, who convinces his brother King Agamemnon to go to war. “Yet this beautiful spear had been fashioned not in bitterness, but love. Its shape would fit no one’s hand but Achilles’, and its heft could suit no one’s strength but his. And though the point was keen and deadly, the wood itself slipped under our fingers like the slender oiled strut of a lyre.” Slight Confession: I shed a few tears at Patroclus’ death. I cry every time I read The Iliad because it’s so powerful and emotionally draining to read and feel Achilles’ pain over his friend, and in this story, his lover. I won’t spoil the ending for you, but I will say that I absolutely loved the conclusion to Patroclus and Achilles’ story. The Historical Accuracy… Everything from Odysseus’ search for Achilles in a foreign court to the divine intervention from the gods was completely accurate. We see Apollo help Paris shoot the arrow that leads to Achilles’ death. He tells him that Achilles might be part god but he’s also man and even gods can be killed. I was afraid this book would take liberties with history. I was thoroughly pleased that did not happen here. While some things were not exactly the same, it was spot on for the most part, which made me smile every time I read another part that lived up to what I’d hoped. I had so many expectations before I opened the book on my Kindle, and I’m thrilled that I can Rave over The Song of Achilles for all the right reasons. The Themes… There are five recurring themes in The Iliad that are also presented in this novel. Achilles knows his destiny is to be the best fighter to ever live, and when his mother Thetis, a sea goddess, tells him he will die if he goes to Troy, he chooses fame and glory over homecoming. He was raised with the assumption he would be the greatest warrior the Greeks had ever seen. While this is true, his pride is a problem that starts to wear on the Greek companies in Troy after Achilles is unable to come to a truce with Agamemnon. The last of her fire was gone; only marble remained. “It is true. But there is more, and worse that he has not said.” The words came tonelessly, as a statue would speak them. “If you go to Troy, you will never return. You will die a young man there.” Achilles’ face went pale. “It is certain?” This is what all mortals ask first, in disbelief, shock, fear. Is there no exception for me? “It is certain.” We see homecoming after the war in the Odyssey with Odysseus, but fate is determined by the Fates themselves, the spinners of life and death. Achilles’ mother pleads with the gods to save her son, but his fate was already set and unavoidable. Odysseus inclines his head. “True. But fame is a strange thing. Some men gain glory after they die, while others fade. What is admired in one generation is abhorred in another.” He spread his broad hands. “We cannot say who will survive the holocaust of memory. Who knows?” He smiles. “Perhaps one day even I will be famous. Perhaps more famous than you.” Another important theme is the concept of honor. Achilles goes to Troy because he knows it’s the honorable thing to do. He also fights with Agamemnon over Briseis because he believes that the king is a dishonorable man and by taking his war prize, who later becomes his friend, he’s showing Achilles a lack of respect and therefore has not earned his in return. The Wrath of Achilles is the most notable theme of The Iliad. His anger for Agamemnon is present from the beginning of the book until the bitter end, and his anger over Patroclus’ death only intensifies that fury that he’s waited to unleash. He tears through Trojans like they’re nothing, ripping apart their best fighters until he finally gets the chance to make Hector, Prince of Troy and best of the Trojans, suffer for what he did to his friend. Hector’s eyes are wide, but he will run no longer. He says, “Grant me this. Give my body to my family, when you have killed me.” Achilles makes a sound like choking. “There are no bargains between lions and men. I will kill you and eat you raw.” His spearpoint flies in a dark whirlwind, bright as the evening-star, to catch the hollow at Hector’s throat. The one thing I really liked about The Iliad is that we saw a great deal of Hector. We saw very little of Hector in The Song of Achilles, and I suppose that’s because of the first person narration by Patroclus. There’s so many wonderful quotes I would’ve loved to have read from The Iliad that perfectly capture the words spoken between Hector and Achilles. Hector and Achilles are such a great match for each other because they both want the fame and glory that comes with death, and I really liked Hector in The Iliad. I only wish I would’ve seen more of him in this story. This may either tie or beat Red Rising for the longest review I’ve ever written. I hope this all makes sense and doesn’t come off as a Greek lit fangirl ramble.

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

Madeline Miller resurrects Greece's Age of Heroes with this compelling tale about Achilles, half-man/half-god and his best friend Patroclus. A young prince who has been exiled from his kingdom of Phthia, Patroclus is to be raised under the patronage of Achilles' father King Peleus. Achilles is the son of Thetis, a sea goddess who hates mortals, and he possesses all the things that ordinary men do not: He is stronger, beautiful, intelligent, faster, and impossible to beat. Achilles is everything that Patroclus isn't, but they end up becoming the most unlikely of friends and grow up together learning battle skills and the art of medicine by studying with the wisest and justest of all the centaurs, Chiron. When Achilles is called to war to help recover Helen of Sparta who has been kidnapped, at first he refuses and hides away from his fate. But eventually he is seduced by the promise of his glorious and fated future - the best of the best - a man that no mortal can kill. Patroclus follows Achilles and watches as war changes Achilles into someone else. Everyone knows the story of the Trojan War and what happens to these great heroes of this age, but I couldn't help but hope that something would change and we'd get a happier ending. The Song of Achilles is one of the best retelling tales of the Trojan War I've read in a long time. It is beautifully written. Miller will keep you turning pages until you've soaked up every last word. This was a fantastic read for summer and I look forward to reading more of Miller's work. Best Takeaway Quotes "We were like gods, at the dawning of the world, and our joy was so bright we could see nothing else but the other." ― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles "He was a marvel, shaft after shaft flying from him, spears that he wrenched easily from broken bodies on the ground to toss at new targets. Again and again I saw his wrist twist, exposing its pale underside, those flute-like bones thrusting elegantly forward. My spear sagged forgotten to the ground as I watched. I could not even see the ugliness of the deaths anymore, the brains, the shattered bones that later I would wash from my skin and hair. All I saw was his beauty, his singing limbs, the quick flickering of his feet."― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles "And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone." ― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles "I conjure the boy I knew. Achilles, grinning as the figs blur in his hands. His green eyes laughing into mine. Catch, he says. Achilles, outlined against the sky, hanging from a branch over the river. The thick warmth of his sleepy breath against my ear. If you have to go, I will go with you. My fears forgotten in the golden harbor of his arms. The memories come, and come. She listens, staring into the grain of the stone. We are all there, goddess and mortal and the boy who was both." ― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles

This is a great read- If you love mythology you’ll likely enjoy it. I was so frustrated with Achilles feud with Agamemnon but feuds are like that I suppose. The writing is lyrical and beautiful.

***Review posted on The Uncharted Word blog*** I’ve always been a fan of Greek mythology/history, particularly The Illiad, which focused on the Trojan War and the tale of Achilles. And so I was more than eager to get my hands on this book after hearing many a rave review about it. Was I disappointed? Absolutely not. The Song of Achilles is a gem in more ways than one. Not only is it a brilliant reimagining of Homer’s most enduring classic work, The Illiad, it is also an epic love story. Miller masterfully takes a well-known yet fantastical tale that is larger than life and enhances it tenfold by humanizing its characters (gods, demigods, men, and women), gifting them thoughts and emotions that we as readers can relate to on a deeper level. She injects her story with such poignancy that I couldn’t help but be moved by the characters and their connection to one another. The writing is clear and crisp, lyrical in its simplicity and powerful in its golden imagery. Miller takes great care in transporting her readers to a time long gone by engaging all five our senses, offering us an array of dazzling visuals marked by sweet scents and potent tastes and sounds. And while the style of writing is notable in of itself, it is the author’s careful portrayal of character that is the most remarkable. The entire story is one of reflection, a story that has already passed and is now being recalled by Patroclus, and so we are only privy to his thoughts and feelings, and his alone. Despite his weaker status and sweeter disposition, Patroclus proves to be a very observant narrator and courageous character. And through him and his experiences and observations of his surroundings and the people he interacts with, we become familiar with Achilles. In Patroclus’s eyes, we see a caring and ambitious young Achilles, a demigod prophesied to be the victor over Hector and a hero of The Trojan War; though, Hector’s death has its consequences. I won’t spoil the story for those of you who are unfamiliar with it, but I will say that Miller does a wonderful job in staying faithful to the original storyline while adding a bit more dimensions to the characters. And her interpretation of Achilles proves to be complex as we aren’t certain whether to accept him for his confidence/pride or to dislike him for it. Either way, both Patroclus and Achilles are both painted as humans, entirely filled with fault and imperfections as well as love and kindness, and hate and sadness. The connection between Patroclus and Achilles is pure and strong, a bond that stretches through the years. Their relationship is decidedly one of the most important and touching aspects of the entire book. In more ways than one, their bond is the foundation of the story as both characters fear for the other and love one another despite what others may say about them. Miller excellently displays their love and how it builds up over time, from their youth to their adulthood. For those of us familiar with The Illiad, we know how their story ends. And while Miller had the opportunity to leave it as is, she shared a conclusion that was a bit more compassionate to its characters, bringing in an extra level of light where there could have been darkness. The story is a tragedy, but not in the traditional sense. And so, I all I can say is I loved this story. There were some characters that I felt could have been expanded on/utilized a bit more (specifically Briseis, Achilles and Patroclus’ “slave” and friend), and the war scenes could have been a bit more detailed, but other than that I don’t have much more to complain about. Read this book. It’ll break your heart, but for all the right reasons.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 In certain parts, the characters were well-developed, while others were only modestly developed. Patroclus is a wonderful relatable character who makes the readers feel emotions and want to protect him at all costs, but the way he constantly admires Achilles' physical features and appears to be more of a shadow to him than a lover or friend at times makes me wonder about Patroclus' overall development. I also believe that the author's decision to make Patroclus a non-fighter hampered his development into more than just a side character and narrator to the story, much like in the Iliad, where he had no meaningful story of his own apart from Achilles. Achilles was a modestly developed character as readers learned more about the reasoning behind his life choices and what led to his closeness with Patroclus; however, the war scene and his choices during the war, combined with his emotionally cut-off side, caused him to fall flat as a character, and his overall development appears to require more time and adjustment. Achilles could have been a fantastically developed character if Miller had written him as more open with his feelings toward Patroclus and in general than he was in the second or third section of the novel. Some of the secondary characters, such as Briseis, functioned well and were explored further by Miller, but others appeared to fall flat or did not receive as much development as they could have in the novel. I liked how Miller wrote the connection and relationship between Briseis and Patroclus because it provided a new viewpoint on this aspect of the story and was heartwarming and good to both characters' development. Madeline Miller does an excellent job of writing conceivable, vivid, and enticing settings and atmospheres that transport readers into the story world alongside the protagonists. The writing was beautiful and innovative, but also unconventional and unclear at times. Patroclus' descriptions of Achilles were tedious and repetitious, and they took my attention away from the growth of both characters and the main plot. The descriptions revealed how Patroclus appreciated Achilles' physical characteristics but lacked his emotions or nonphysical aspects, which made me wonder if Patroclus was simply physically drawn to him or felt a deeper connection with him. The war scenes, along with a few others, were written in a confused and inconsistent manner, which may simply be attributed to word choice. The premise was interesting, with a few decent plot twists, but it fell flat overall, felt predictable, and left me a little dissatisfied because it felt more like an updated version of the Iliad than a modern and unique retelling of the story in general. The curiosity and pleasure of reading this narrative began strong but gradually faded owing to some of the wording, slow plot development, and lack of growth for some of the characters. Overall, I liked how we got to witness more of Patroclus' story before he met Achilles, as well as learn more about his personality, relationship with Briseis and the men in war, and some of the inner workings of Achilles and Patroclus' friendship. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is an updated version of the Achilles and Patroclus story with amazing imaginative settings, some interesting character relationship twists, and an overall good story for anyone looking for a more modern rendition of the Iliad.

The Song of Achilles is an extraordinarily well-built and totally immersive journey into Ancient Greece. I was captivated by the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus—watching it evolve from a prickly, uncomfortable childhood connection into a flourishing, unbreakable bond. Madeline Miller’s writing makes you feel their romance deeply, yet it never feels like a "modern" romance; it is a profound, soul-deep knowing forged during their years under the centaur, Chiron. When they finally face the savage chaos of the Trojan War, their devotion remains the one steady thing in an upside-down world. Miller’s pacing is flawless and her prose is so clear and purposeful that my mind never once strayed. I truly couldn't put it down—housework and errands were completely forgotten! I finished the final page holding my breath. While I enjoyed Circe, this story reached my core in a way few books ever do. Highly recommended.

The book is in perfect condition, I am very happy

The beginning is good but towards the middle it’s pretty slow and you might wonder if it’ll live up to the hype but once you enter the ending it’s just so intense and emotional and it’s an experience! I loved it!

Este es, sin lugar a dudas, un libro perfecto. Si eres un lector ávido, se convertirá en uno de tus favoritos en cuanto empieces a leer. Si eres fan de la mitología griega y de libros de este tema (por ejemplo, Percy Jackson) sin duda lo amarás tanto como yo. No recomiendo comprarlo en Español, simple y sencillamente porque la intención y sentimiento original de la autora se pierde, no importa lo buena que sea la traducción ( y si, ya tuve oportunidad de comprobarlo). Ya entrando a hacer un pequeño review, es el único libro que, sin importar cuantas veces lo lea (lo cual hago tal vez entre 5 y 7 veces en el año si tengo tiempo) me hace llorar en múltiples partes, pero obviamente, mas al final. No digo que hay alerta de spoilers, porque creo que casi todos conocemos un poquito de la historia. Es un libro increíble, y estoy deseosa por leer Circe, de la misma autora.

Merveilleux