Title: The Song of Achilles
Author:
Madeline Miller
Literary
Level: Intermediate
Rating: 5/5
Published in 2011 by Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles is a tale of hardship and war. Patroclus, son of an avaricious king, is exiled from his land due to an unfortunate accident. His father sends him to Peleus, another king known to harbor children, and the same place where he meets Achilles, Aristos Achion, Prince of Phthia. The story, although titled after Achilles, is told from the first person of Patroclus, following Achilles to his destiny. Achilles is told that although born from a goddess, he is still a mortal and that the Fates have already set in stone his death. Patroclus falls in love with this boy, born to be a great hero, and Achilles reciprocates his love at first sight. Through thick and thin, these two become great allies, lovers, and partners. Several kings, such as Agamemnon and Odysseus, ask for their compliance in the war against Troy (it was to recover a missing queen). Through some unfortunate circumstances, Achilles is cornered and decides to not fight in the war. This prompts Patroclus to pull the troops out in his stead as they were losing the war, but the power made him fight instead. Spoilers: Patroclus dies and Achilles kills the man that did it, then dies after. They are buried together and meet in the afterlife.
Review: I have not read the Illiad to know much about Greek mythological
history, but this story is beautiful. A tad bit uncomfortable in the beginning,
but their love and care for each other after the halfway point is a journey
everyone should read at least once. Even when Achilles is cornered to fight the
war by Patroclus, he still loves him. The age-old story of the hero and the
unknown, the strong and the weak, a love no one knew or expected. It is also
surprising that their love as men was never a focal point of the story or the
inconveniences that go with it. I’m sure that the depiction of gay men would
not be entirely accurate according to history, but it made for a great paring
and a beautiful story. I one hundred percent recommend this book.