The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The bestselling author of Circe presents a gripping, deeply poignant, and wholly original retelling of the myth of Achilles and the Trojan War. The Song of Achilles is a stunning literary achievement that masterfully reimagines Homer’s timeless masterpiece, The Iliad. It is a story about gods, kings, immortal fame, and the human heart. Fans of the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough, Mary Renault, Bernard Cornwell, Steven Pressfield, and others will adore this unforgettable trip back to ancient Greece in the Age of Heroes. Miller’s monumental debut novel is an action-packed adventure, an epic love story, and a marvellously conceived and executed page-turner.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
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When Patroclus, an exiled prince, is brought to life with King Peleus, they both encounter Achilles. Thetis, a Sea Nymph, and Peleus are the parents of Achilles. Achilles is self-assured, attractive, fearless, and also destined for greatness. Patroclus is every characteristic Achilles is not, including being clumsy, awkward, and bashful. Therefore, everyone is startled and appalled when Achilles chooses Patroclus as his friend. Soon, we’ll be able to see how their friendship develops into love as they go from being little boys to mature men.
Once Achilles (commanded by his mother) is forced into hiding (as a woman) in another realm, they are eventually dispatched to train with the Centaur Chiron. He has a child thereby secretly weds the princess. They are sent to engage in the war after Patroclus locates him (Paris had taken Helen to Troy and won’t bring her back). Achilles now has the chance to demonstrate and demonstrate his brilliance. They ring outside Troy’s walls for ten years, despite a plague.
Then, after a slight to his reputation (the rapacious King Agamemnon tried to take Briseis, whom he only saved to placate Patroclus), Achilles refuses to fight until he receives an apology, even knowing doing so will result in the deaths of several of his people. They are destined to fail without their finest warrior. Patroclus makes vain attempts to reason with Achilles. So Patroclus embarks on a fool’s errand to storm the gates of Troy in an effort to improve circumstances (among the men), salvage Achilles’ reputation, and aid in the victory of the battle.
Unfortunately, Hector kills him (Achilles’s arch-enemy). Achilles, who is grieving and experiencing a great deal of remorse, decides to exact revenge on Patroclus. He will do anything to murder Hector as his way of exacting retribution. While accomplishing his objectives, he also perishes (by Paris, with the help of Apollo).
