Book Log #4 - The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Review: 5/5 stars

The Song of Achilles was one of the trendiest books of 2021, and it deserves every accolade it's ever been given. The book was recommended to me by almost everyone I know, and I'm only sad that I didn't read it sooner! A retelling of Homer's Iliad (the epic poem that is considered the first piece of literature ever), The Song of Achilles follows the siege of Troy through the eyes of Patroclus.

The novel begins with Patroclus as a young boy, we watch him be exiled from his princehood and meet Achilles. Together, they become skilled in the art of war and medicine. Achilles, however, is forever tied to his destiny for glory - and this is where he is unable to resist. Patroclus follows him into war, and their relationship is all but tested.

This book has also been dubbed an important piece within LGBT literature (Read Madeline Miller on writing the novel here). I was deeply moved by Miller's presentation of Patroclus and Achilles' love story - you truly watch their love grow throughout the novel. While they both remain very different boys who grow into very different men, their love sees them both as a unit in an honest and tenable way.

A poetic triumph in tenderness and genuine love, the beauty of Miller's writing lies in what remains unsaid. Through Patroclus' eyes, Achilles is beautiful, deeply flawed, but still lovable. Patroclus, on the other hand, is good - he is characterised to balance Achilles with his goodness. This is ultimately the factor that makes or breaks them, but you never stop rooting for them throughout.

I also love these illustrations by Michelle Cheng, see them here!

I can only sing praise about this novel - it was the first book in a long while which I couldn't put down, and the ending genuinely left me in tears. I genuinely wish I could go back and read it for the first time again!

Date read: 03/2022

Some quotes I like:

'"A wound in any of them will eventually be fatal. But death is quickest here." His finger tapped the slight concavity of Achilles' temple. A chill went through me. to see it touched, that place where Achilles' life was so slenderly protected.'

"He smiled at me, and I saw the lines where other smiles had been."