The Song of Achilles Paperback - 2012
by Madeline Miller
Summary
Reader reviews for The Song of Achilles
Review summary
Readers largely praised Madeline Miller’s retelling for its lyrical prose, tender queer romance, and humanizing portrayal of Achilles, calling it an accessible gateway to Greek myth with a gut?punch ending. Many cited its emotional power, vivid atmosphere, and thoughtful reframing of legend, with the audiobook receiving special acclaim. Detractors found the pacing slow, the focus too romance-forward, and Patroclus overly passive or underdeveloped. Overall, sentiment skews strongly positive, though the book remains polarizing for those seeking a more action-driven or strictly historical take.
Readers say this book is:
lyricalheartbreakingpoignantromanticimmersiveaccessibledevastating endingcharacter-drivenpolarizingslow-pacedWrite a review for this book
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From the publisher
From the rear cover
Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful-- irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath.
They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.
Details
- Title The Song of Achilles
- Author Madeline Miller
- Series P.S.
- Binding Paperback
- Edition 7/29/2012
- Pages 416
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Ecco Press, New York
- Publication date 2012-08-28
- ISBN 9780062060624 / 0062060627
- Weight 0.7 lbs (0.32 kg)
- Dimensions 8 x 5.25 x 0.95 in (20.32 x 13.34 x 2.41 cm)
-
Themes
- Chronological Period: Ancient (To 499 A.D.)
- Sex & Gender: Feminine
- Sex & Gender: Gay
- Sex & Gender: Lesbian
- Topical: Coming of Age
- Topical: Lgbt
- Category Fiction - Historical
- Library of Congress subjects Historical fiction, War stories
- Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2011275637
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
Media reviews
Citations
- New York Times Book Review, 09/16/2012, Page 28
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