The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles

By: Madeline Miller

Achilles was never just an ordinary boy. For one, he was a prince, and second, he was destined and prophesied to be the Greatest of the Greeks. He was to become the greatest warrior of his generation and all those before him. And at the end, he did. His name and tale have been passed down the generations, written on to paper and reenacted, bringing life once more into the epic that was the Trojan War. His name forever tied to the events that led up and happened during those years.

In Madeline Miller's version, we meet Achilles still as a young child, and through the eyes of Patroclus, his best friend and right arm, we get to see this child grow into the legend he became. The son of a goddess and a kind king, he was both humble and hubris. As events unfold, you join Patroclus in his hopeless endeavor to keep Achilles from reaching his inevitable demise. Fame for eternity, or live a long and happy life with your name eventually being lost to the sands of time. The choice wasn't as easy for Achilles, for if he did choose to live a long life in peace, he would also lose all that made him godlike as time passed. The golden blood of the gods was part of what made him the monumental hero he was destined to become. Without it, he would be just another mortal with no story to tell.

Patroclus helps us see beyond the god within Achilles, but also the man inside, and the heart and mind within. No man lived without flaws but to love a person despite those flaws, is a true bond. Patroclus teaches himself and the reader to love someone despite what those around you prefer.

Their pilgrimage to the shores of Troy, along with their adventures there, shape history and literature alike, all coming to the same conclusion: the death of both Achilles and the majestic city of Troy.

Madeline Miller has quickly joined the list of my favorite authors. Her smooth storytelling and originality captivated me from the very beginning. To make a story intriguing and relatable, despite the eras that have passed since it occurred, is truly a wonderful skill. Homer was one of the first writers to put the epic of the Trojan War onto paper in the Iliad. His version is known to be one of, if not the oldest written adaptation of the tale.

I'm thrilled that this ancient story has found a new home in my own lifetime that I can pass on to someone else. After all, not many people can read a 600 plus page book, so to be given a novel in simple English that is less than half of the "original" in length, you can't pass it up! Her language was poetic and beautiful, yet simple enough for anyone to enjoy. Whether you are a Greek mythology lover like myself or just an avid reader, this book will reach your mind and heart. My best friend sent me this book for my birthday this year and I'm honored to have someone that knows me so well. This review is for you sis! 5 out of 5 stars! I look forward to reading more books by Miller!