Madeline spent 10 years writing this book and it shows. It is precise, descriptive, poetic, and well researched. I am not an expert on Greek mythology, but the experts that are out there are praising her for her articulation of Achilles’ life. Seen through the eyes of Achilles lover, Patroclus, we get a fresh new perspective on his story that had yet to have been told. When you think of Greek mythology and love stories you’re more inclined to think of other gods such as Orpheus, who was so devoted to Eurydice he crawled through the depths of hell to save her. However, through this novel, you get to see the romantic side of Achilles, no longer as a man with unquenchable anger, but as a father, son, lover, and husband. It is the book that explained what was missing from the story that developed Achilles as a character.

“In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.”

This book starts with Patroclus, who gets exiled by his father and is forced to live in Peleus. He then, soon after, falls in love with his host’s son Achilles. Achilles, as you probably already know, is a Demi-god. He is swifter, stronger, more skilled, and is beautiful to look at and Patroclus was shocked when he discovered that Achilles shared his feelings. It is known in history that Achilles can be one of the nastiest god/Demi-gods around, but it has always been known that he was always soft for Patroclus. He was always gentle and kind to him and was very intimate with him. This romance sparks in their childhood and continues into a love affair into their adulthood. As I mentioned earlier, Miller is extremely poetic in this story and it shows very vividly in her writing. It warmed my heart to read this story as she perfectly combined greek mythology, prophecies, and Patroclus’s emotions into one novel.

"I rose and rubbed my limbs, slapped them awake, trying to ward off a rising hysteria. This is what it will be, every day, without him. I felt a wild-eyed tightness in my chest, like a scream. Every day, without him."

Patroclus isn’t well versed in prophecies or in my interpretation, he doesn’t want to acknowledge them. I shouldn’t be spoiling much when I say this, as most already know what Achilles' fate is, after all, we named a tendon after him. Patroclus and Achilles are aware of his impending doom and know that Achilles won't return from Troy. But it doesn't make it any less heartbreaking.

“And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone.”

Achilles Lamenting the Death of Patroclus (1855) by the Russian realist Nikolai Ge

Now there are some aspects to the story that is not as well known, so I will spare you the details so you can read and discover it for yourself. But, it is a story that is not just about greek mythology, but love. To read the story through the eyes of his lover we see another side to Achilles that is more than the rage we read about elsewhere. Achilles’ rage isn’t innate, it's not necessarily in his nature. The only time we really see the vengeful bloodthirsty Demi-god we know about is when Patroclus dies.

"Achilles makes a sound like choking. 'There are no bargains between lions and men. I will kill you and eat you raw.'"

His rage is only unleashed when he is a lone wolf, as nothing to live for and has nothing but the opportunity to kill. His love is gone, and so is his kindness. It almost makes him human to see him in this light and I think that is why Miller wrote it like that. No longer is Achilles a one-dimensional character, but he is a man with an array of motives, thoughts, and feelings. He is a human, with exceptional skills, with nothing but fate holding him back. The way this book is written and how much thought and research was put into it, I had to include it in my favourites list. If you read the book yourself, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Want more on the Song of Achilles? Check out these videos below!

Below is Madeline Miller herself discussing her novel