The Song Of Achilles Review

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

"The sun sank below Pelion's ridges, and we were happy."

Wow. Where to start with this one. It left me speechless, heart broken, and amazed all at once. The Song of Achilles is such a beautifully told, and emotionally captivating novel that I could not put it down. This book lives up to the fame and praise that it has received, and it honestly will forever become one of my favorites.

"Our friendship came all at once after that, like spring floods from the mountains."

The Song of Achilles follows the incredible story between Achilles and Patroclus. Patroclus is a young boy whose father is a piece of crap. Due to some unfortunate events, Patroclus is forced to be exiled and ends up in the kingdom ruled by Peleus. He is a kind and gentle king who takes in exiles. He feeds them, trains them, and nurtures them. He also has a son, Achilles, whose mother is a terrifying goddess. Patroclus and Achilles are slow to trust and to friendship, but it soon clicks and they are inseparable. As they grow, so does their friendship which soon turns into something more.

"We sat like that for a moment, hands touching. He grinned."

As the story goes, of course, the Trojan War is soon underway (silly old Paris just HAD to take Helen) and their lives change very quickly. Now they are forced into a war with the knowledge that Achilles is prophesied to die in it. Things go from bad to worse as the war goes on for 9 years. Patience runs thin, kings get mad, and trouble brews. To make it more fun, the Gods have also made their alligence clear and they too are fighting.

"I do not speak. I can see the temper rising in him. It is like watching a storm come, when there is no shelter."

The love between Achilles and Patroclus is such a strong and beautiful one. It made their story that much more impactful and earth shattering. I am not surprised that their love was never fully portrayed in previous versions of Achilles and his story (cough cough Troy...cough cough Brad Pitt) but I regret that it is not known more. I am forever grateful to Madeline Miller for writing this incredible novel and I cannot wait to re-read it and cry all over again.

"Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun."

Overall: 10/10

Pages: 369

Spice Rating: 6/10

Trigger Warning: death, violence, war, murder, blood