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 arts 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
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A captivating retelling of the Iliad and events leading up to it through the point of view of Patroclus: it's a hard book to put down, and any classicist will be enthralled by her characterisation of the goddess Thetis, which carries the true savagery and chill of antiquity (Donna Tartt The Times Christmas Books )
I loved it (J.K. Rowling )
Mary Renault lives again! A ravishingly vivid and convincing version of one of the most legendary of love stories (Emma Donoghue, author of number one bestseller, Room )
Original, clever, and in a class of its own ... an incredibly compelling and seductive read (Independent on Sunday )
A remarkably fresh take on one of the most familiar narratives in western literature (The Times )
Extraordinary ... Beautifully descriptive and heart-achingly lyrical, this is a love story as sensitive and intuitive as any you will find (Daily Mail )
Sexy, dangerous, mystical (Bettany Hughes )
If I were to give a prize for the best work of fiction I've read this year, this would be the runaway winner. As a first novel, it heralds the arrival of a major new talent (A.N. Wilson, Reader's Digest )
Inventive, passionate, uplifting and different. It will appeal to all ages. It's a book which despite some of the stiffest competition in the modern world is a truly worthy winner (Joanna Trollope, chair of the judges for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2012 )
I loved it (J.K. Rowling )
Mary Renault lives again! A ravishingly vivid and convincing version of one of the most legendary of love stories (Emma Donoghue, author of number one bestseller, Room )
Original, clever, and in a class of its own ... an incredibly compelling and seductive read (Independent on Sunday )
A remarkably fresh take on one of the most familiar narratives in western literature (The Times )
Extraordinary ... Beautifully descriptive and heart-achingly lyrical, this is a love story as sensitive and intuitive as any you will find (Daily Mail )
Sexy, dangerous, mystical (Bettany Hughes )
If I were to give a prize for the best work of fiction I've read this year, this would be the runaway winner. As a first novel, it heralds the arrival of a major new talent (A.N. Wilson, Reader's Digest )
Inventive, passionate, uplifting and different. It will appeal to all ages. It's a book which despite some of the stiffest competition in the modern world is a truly worthy winner (Joanna Trollope, chair of the judges for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2012 )
Book Description
A breathtakingly original rendering of the Trojan War
Winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2012
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
134 of 147 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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This book is very well-written and very involving in places but I did have my reservations about it. Patroclus's narrative voice is believable and gives a convincing account of his childhood misfortunes, the events which lead up to the Trojan War and the War itself. I like the depictions of characters like Odysseus and Agamemnon very much, place and mood are very well evoked, and there are some exciting and very interesting episodes.
Madeline Miller is very keen to portray the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles as one of deep, enduring love, both spiritual and sexual. Whether or not this is justified by the source texts is arguable, but it is a noble aim. However, what we actually get is long, long periods where Patroclus moons around after Achilles like a love-sick puppy, to the point that I felt that the author herself was the one in love with Achilles and wasn't going to miss an opportunity to write a beautifully constructed sentence about his muscles, his hair, the curve of his chin or the soles of his feet (which seem to hold an endless fascination for her) and so on, which I eventually found almost unendurably tedious in places.
There were sufficient good things about this book to make a three-star rating seem very churlish, but it's only just four stars for me. Many other reviewers here have obviously enjoyed it very much, but I can only give it a qualified recommendation.
Madeline Miller is very keen to portray the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles as one of deep, enduring love, both spiritual and sexual. Whether or not this is justified by the source texts is arguable, but it is a noble aim. However, what we actually get is long, long periods where Patroclus moons around after Achilles like a love-sick puppy, to the point that I felt that the author herself was the one in love with Achilles and wasn't going to miss an opportunity to write a beautifully constructed sentence about his muscles, his hair, the curve of his chin or the soles of his feet (which seem to hold an endless fascination for her) and so on, which I eventually found almost unendurably tedious in places.
There were sufficient good things about this book to make a three-star rating seem very churlish, but it's only just four stars for me. Many other reviewers here have obviously enjoyed it very much, but I can only give it a qualified recommendation.
91 of 101 people found the following review helpful
By Hiraethus o Gymru
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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The Song of Achilles is the first novel (hopefully of many more) by a very talented author, Madeleine Miller. Anyone who has read The King Must Die and The Bull From The Sea by the legendary Mary Renault will lock in immediately to the style of this narrative. Achilles is brought to life from his childhood to his exploits at Troy, but this version of his life is told from the view of Patroclus, his friend, companion and lover. The love aspect of the relationship is handled sensitively and in a manner that will not offend the most sensitive of readers and the action scenes and characters of the heroes, both Greek and Trojan, are well addressed. Once started, I found it difficult to put this book down, and was reluctant to close it at the end. A very different approach to Homer's immortal story has hopefully launched a new literary star into ascendancy and I look forward to more of this lady's work in the near future.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
She may call my love Sophia; but I call my love philosophy. So sang Van Morrison in A Sense of Wonder. She can only hint wondrously at what she sees in him. He can give you specific reasons. So when a woman writes about love in the only way she can - ineffable - a man gets bored quickly. This is a tale of homosexual adolescence - and pretty much nothing more - for the first 100 pages, nearly every one of which refers to the ineffable sense of wonder which Achilles inspires in Patroclus, thanks to wispy hairlines and Adams' apples. Perilously close to chick lit. But then it gets better, as Odysseus arrives and plot replaces a meandering love affair which contains such self indulgent, blunt, visual allusion as to render the relationship trite and sentimental. Yet. Is the sentimentalism intentional? is this book really infused with the belief that life and love can be enjoyed without pain (Harry T Moore's definition in his biography of DH Lawrence)? Yes. But then, from Scyros on, magnificently no. It powers through the Trojan campaign, setting both the scenes and the individual personalities alight with finely described horror and a brilliant evocation of how perplexed Achilles, Agamemnon and everyone else becomes. Life, love and glorious, heroic pain - in equal order. Patroclus, the man least likely to. Brilliant. And the adolescent homosexuality with which the book labours to begin? Indispensable. Because, without it, you would not understand motive, nor feel the heroism, the triumph of the human spirit, the essence of men at their selfless, bestial, best. A book that leaves you feeling for Achilles as Patroclus, Briseis and a common Greek soldier would. But, most of all, a book that leaves you permeated with the spirit of Patroclus, whose love conquers all, even Thetis.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superbly written, beautifully constructed, and highly recommended
Beautifully and elegantly written, this is one of those rare books that I loved from practically the first page. Read more
Published 1 day ago by BookWorm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and unexpected - ergo engaging
I was told about this book through a friend who has links to a small bookshop in Urmston (Manchester) where the author,Madeline Millar, recently gave a sitting . Read more
Published 5 days ago by Mary Millar
1.0 out of 5 stars
glorifying sexually orientation.
This sounded as if it might be interesting - however, it was very long winded and totally boring continually harping on his beauty and not much else.
Published 6 days ago by Judith Arbeid
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. I liked viewing the Trojan War through Patroclus' eyes and I thought it was an imaginative and creative book. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Tracey 1
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fresh Angle to Age Old Odysee
Well written, keeping the historic element fresh and interesting. Great insight into ancient characters making the relevant for today's readers.
Published 16 days ago by B L Fahy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Achilles is a Heel
Modern re-write of old legend.
Thoughtfully brought up to date with gay partner and written from the partner's point of view. Read more
Thoughtfully brought up to date with gay partner and written from the partner's point of view. Read more
Published 18 days ago by disgusted of dagenham
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Song of Achilles
I'd recommend this book for anyone who wants the story of The Trojan War from another perspective, with the supposed love story of Patroclus and Achilles. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Chloe Funnell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful retelling
This is a beautiful retelling of the story of Achilles. When I first read it I couldn't put it down it was so compelling, and I cried as much on the second read as the first. Read more
Published 21 days ago by SL
4.0 out of 5 stars
A page turner
This book was recommended to me only last week, I downloaded it and once I started reading I found I didn't want to stop. Read more
Published 21 days ago by PippaD
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quick enjoyable read
An enjoyable take on the classic story of Achilles. Rather than focusing on his heroics during the Trojan war the book centres on his relationship with Patroclus. Read more
Published 24 days ago by R. Sunderland
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