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Book Review: The Song of Achilles
A historical fiction masterpiece infused with the heartache of a timeless tragedy.
The Song of Achilles is a deeply intimate portrayal of a reimagined, emotionally rich Homeric myth centered on the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. Madeline Miller reimagines the tale through Patroclus’s perspective, blending poetic prose with meticulous attention to the emotional landscapes of its characters. She explores themes of fate, eros, and kleos (glory), challenging traditional interpretations of heroism and legacy. The book examines how love complicates and elevates the lives of mythical figures.
If I’m being real, this book was somewhat boring. The first few chapters have a slow start, heavily focusing on Patroclus’s exile and his father’s disappointment in him. It felt long and unengaging. These chapters failed to capture my attention, and I had to push through them to get into the book. This was the first red flag for me, as I knew I wouldn’t enjoy the rest of the book much after that.
The story then explores Patroclus’s admiration for Achilles and their evolving friendship. To me, this exploration felt overly cringe because Patroclus’s feelings toward Achilles were giving “fan behavior.” While this makes sense in the context, it wasn’t my cup of tea. Adding to this dynamic…
