The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: Worth it?

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: Worth it?

By Haylee Crapo

With a book that is cover to cover filled with flowery language and names that are very hard to pronounce, Madeline Miller brings to the historical fiction scene a novel about the Greek heroes Achilles and Patroclus, famously recognized from Homer’s Iliad. The Song of Achilles weaves together a heartbreaking and gut wrenching, yet soft and lovable, tale of two Greek soldiers who met as innocent-ish boys, and continue to grow together.

Patroclus was born in the city of Opus, but is disowned after a deadly accident he has with another boy. He is banished from Opus and is brought to the kingdom of Phitha, where there resides Achilles–prince and demigod. The two meet and a blossoming friendship forms between them, one that does not waver. However, quite soon after meeting the prince, Patroclus realizes that his feelings for Achilles are more than they appear, and that Achilles may feel the same. But, with the Trojan War and death right on the horizon,  will their love survive the agony and bloodshed of battle? Or will their relationship slowly begin to decay?

This book is amazing. It made me laugh, scream, and cry aggressively, and I love any book that gives me a visceral reaction like that. But really, by choosing the point of view of the story to be told by Patroclus, Miller succeeds in giving the viewer a gorgeously written plot that–even if the actual fate of Achilles and Patroclus are well known by most–will leave you yearning to know what happens next.

This book is bittersweet in the best way possible, and I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve read it three times in my high school career, and it has blown me away each time. Achilles and Patroclus's relationship flourishes and is tested over and over by the Gods, and watching each of them grow with the other is very heartwarming, yet so, so sad to watch. For a taste of the novel, here's a quote that I adore for so many reasons, that won't spoil the actual book, but will show just how direct and beautiful Miller's writing is, especially her dialogue. 

An interaction with Achilles and Patroclus respectively:

"Name one hero who was happy. You can't."

"I can't."

"I know. They never let you be famous AND happy. I'll tell you a secret."

"Tell me." 

"I'm going to be the first. Swear it."

"Why me?"

"Because you're the reason. Swear it."

"I swear it." 

7/6 stars, which doesn’t make sense on the ranking, but I love this book too much to care.