Review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I knew Song of Achilles would break my heart basically before I even started. Did I still listen to it on audiobook? Yes. Do I Regret it? No.

Summary

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 difference, 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’ 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.

Review

First off, I want to preface this review with two things. 1) I listened to this on audiobook. This made it especially emotional to me, because the reader was phenomenal. I could hear the hitches of breath and feel the passion, and grief, in the voice. It broke my heart. 2) I am not a huge Greek mythology buff. I mean I knew the story of Achillese and the Trojan war, but I am not like one of those people who knows everything about the different people mentioned in this book. So that’s another sort of mini-disclaimer.

I have very few notes for Song of Achilles because I was basically too busy picking my heart off the floor. To say I could really empathize with the main characters is a vast understatement. I felt their heart break, heard their cries of grief, and felt their shoulders tremble. Their relationships are so cute and soft. I teared up so many times for feelings of happiness, love, and sadness. All the emotions. Miller writes such amazing characters and when I found out I was approved for Circe on Netgalley I teared up. No joke. It was a thing that happened.

I love this particular story because, if you know the mythology, you know what happens. And that doesn’t stop you from loving every second of it. It didn’t stop me. And what’s more, is that Miller transforms the ending. She allows us to see a whole new perspective that isn’t necessarily covered in our history books. And it’s amazing. How many times will I write amazing in this review?

Suffice it to say, in a genre that has a lot of retellings of Greek mythology, Song of Achilles exceeded my expectations. It moved me in a truly spectacular way, which is why I think so many people are also transfixed by this story.

I highly recommend the audiobook, but pick Song of Achilles up wherever you can and on Goodreads.

Discussion

What’s your favorite Greek mythology book?

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