Details

Length: 416 pages
Story build: Medium pace
Character development: Solid
Age Recommendation: High school
Reasoning: Mention of sexual violence, mild sexual scenes, violence

Summary and Review

*Guest review by Kendal*

There are often books that are constantly raved about. I’ll come across content about them on my Instagram and Twitter feed, I’ll consistently see people reading and recommending them, and I’ll think to myself, I have to read this book. The Song Of Achilles was one of those books for me. For months, I’d known of its existence, and I was yet to find a single person who had disliked it. Still, I procrastinated on picking it up, even after one of my close friends had read it and promised it lived up to the pedestal so many had put it on.

Finally, one day I spotted it in the corner of a bookstore (shoutout to Bank Square Books in Mystic, CT!), and I decided it was time.

The Song of Achilles is essentially a retelling of the story of Achilles and the  Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus, his companion and eventual lover. Even with the very high expectations I had, it did not disappoint. Honestly, I think this is one of the most beautiful books (if not THE most beautiful book) I have ever read. Miller’s writing style was truly ethereal. 

Her descriptions were beyond words, written so vividly it was as though I was truly seeing through Patroclus’ eyes. I frequently had to put the book down, as I was overwhelmed with the elegance with which it was narrated.

The book is set in Ancient Greece, where Patroclus, an overlooked and underwhelming boy, has been disowned after accidentally causing another boy’s death. He is sent to live elsewhere, where he meets Achilles. The two could not be more different, seeing as Achilles is strong, fast, and admired by all. However, this doesn’t bother Patroclus, and he’s happy to remain in awe of Achilles as well. The two grow close, first as friends, and then as partners. But as is true in many war-torn romances, peace is unattainable.

Achilles’ mother, Thetis, is determined to keep them apart, and many believe that Patroclus is not good enough for Achilles. Coupled with the challenges of war, seemingly inevitable death, and the expectation for them to be with women, it seems like a perfect storm of reasons not to be together. However, Patroclus and Achilles defy all of that, and love each other right up until the end.

I cannot praise this book enough. It was one that you finish and feel both so empty and so full inside. The power of this story was just haunting, and as an LGBTQ+ individual, it felt amazing to read a book where the main relationship is not labeled in the text as “different” or “marginalized” but is, simply, a love story. And at its core, that’s what The Song Of Achilles is: a love story, and one of the finest ones I have had the pleasure of reading. 

If you haven’t read this book yet, I don’t know what else I can say, except go get it right now. I promise, it’s worth it.

Celebrations

I already mentioned this, but I can’t rave enough about the brilliance of Miller’s writing. Her descriptions and narrations are so vivid, and her talent is really mind-blowing. The word choice is marvelous, her figurative language is fantastic, and all of it combined really made me feel such a wide range of emotions that I can’t even describe.

Hesitations

Admittedly, some of the more war- and battle-focused chapters were a bit tedious, and sometimes all the different people were hard to keep track of. These minor hurdles were made up for by the grace and eloquence with which Miller unfolded the story, though, and I still found the book to be absolutely incredible.