The Song of Achilles

Hardcover, 416 pages

English language

Published Nov. 7, 2012 by Ecco Press.

ISBN:
978-0-06-206061-7
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OCLC Number:
773303923

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4 stars (11 reviews)

Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath.

They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

23 editions

Review of 'The song of Achilles' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

New favourite book. It's perfect. I was so sceptic in the beginning, but the book won me over after a while. Such powerful story telling. It's the perfect preparation for reading the Illiad. I probably need to still read lots of other stuff beforehand, but it was a perfect introduction.

I have so many questions left, because some things were weird, but I will probably get it when I read the original. The writing was so beautiful. Since it's a retelling Miller had lots of creative room and she used it well. I cannot find any critic about this book. I think it has a goal, which was telling Achilles story from an LGBTQ point of view and it achieved it in a respectful, believable manner. I loved the well built characters, and the respect for historical sociological context.

And now I will go back to fangirling and cuddling the …

Subjects

  • Trojan War
  • Greek mythology
  • Fiction
  • History
  • Trojan War
  • Achilles
  • Patrocles
  • LGBT+
  • Romance
  • Fantasy
  • Mythology

Places

  • Turkey
  • Troy (Extinct city)
  • Greece

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