The Song of Achilles
Madeline Miller
2012
369 pages
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I had to go to Fresno again yesterday for a meeting. Luckily, I didn’t have to drive this time. Also luckily, this was the book I chose to take with me. And I finished it just as we were pulling back up to my car…perfect timing!
I loved this book. So far, it’s one of my favorites for the year. Here’s why:
First, the cover. I just have to gush. I think it’s adorable. Maybe not quite the reaction they were going for, but it’s a large part of why I bought the book. And okay, so it’s supposed to be a bronze helmet, and the bronzey part is nice and shiny, but to me it looks like two little cartoon legs and feet that have kicked it. I don’t know why I find that adorable, but I do.
Second, the writing. It’s dreamy. Seriously. This is a beautifully told story, and the author made it so easy for me to plop myself down in ancient Greece and hang with the guys. I think Miller managed to pull off that tricky thing about telling an ancient story with modern language. Not that they’re all running around calling each other bro, but it’s not all stilted and formal, either. Like I said, it’s dreamy. Which probably doesn’t make much sense to anyone but me. But it makes perfect sense to me, so that’s what I’m going with.
Third, the story. It’s a tender love story between two guys. Not quite what you expected, eh? I read The Odyssey last year, and while I enjoyed the heck out of it, I’ll admit that copy of The Iliad is still sitting on the shelf taunting me. I think I’m afraid it won’t be as entertaining or easily understood. But now I feel like I don’t have to read it! And like the cover, that’s probably not the intent at all, but I’m not a fan of war stories and rumor has it (at least the rumor that my mind made up), The Iliad’s got a lot of war. So does The Song of Solomon, because, hello, that’s kinda Achilles’s gig. But it’s not all “and then Tom slew Dick and then Harry slew Tom,” etc. There’s family dynamics and awkward childhood years and banishment and a centaur and love and vengeful mothers and vengeful gods and even some cross-dressing. All of which is drawn from the various interpretations of Achilles’s story that have come down through the ages.
And have I mentioned the cover? And the writing? And the story?
Seriously, people. I loved, loved, loved this book. It’s a re-imagining of Achilles’s life, as told from the point of view of Patroclus, his close companion (and in this story, his lover). There’s plenty to think on, and the more I think on it, the more I love it.
I would never have picked this book up on my own, but your enthusiasm makes me want to. I had to go back up and study the cover to see the little cartoon legs you saw.
Perfect timing! I was just offered the audio version of this yesterday. But since you mentioned the beautiful writing, which I would rather read than listen to, maybe I need the print version. I can’t wait to read this now. It’s one of your favorites of the year and it’s only March? Count me in.
I am with Kathy, you may have sold me… and funny, you mentioned it was a helmet and I had to scroll up and look at the cover again… I seen the feet.
I love the cover too! But cannot unsee the upside down feet now that you’ve described it that way. :p This sounds really good! I have a soft spot for queer romances in ancient Greece, thanks to Mary Renault, so I’d love to give The Song of Achilles a try.
Well you have me convinced. I will get my hands on a copy of this.
Wow … there is pretty no chance I would have picked this up on my own but you’re making a convincing case.
The cover is really cute. But Achilles has always annoyed me, so…
If I know absolutely zip about Achilles and all the other greekish god & war and ancients, etc, would I still enjoy this? Because I want to read it now.
I’m so glad you liked this. It is on my list of first books to read after the TBR Dare is over!
I am not sure how I missed this when it first came out, but I have to read it now. I have seen lots of really good things about it!
Me too!!!! (to everything, including the little upside-down legs on the cover).
I liked this one too! I was a little hesitant at first because my knowledge of Greek mythology is not very strong, but I concur Miller did a wonderful job telling an old story in modern language. I’m glad you loved this one so much! I’m already hoping she’ll continued to write novels like this so I can explore myth in modern language!
I keep picking this up at the book store, but haven’t brought it home with me yet. I must see if the library has it!
Madeline Miller is fantastic! Saw her talk about this book last Saturday. What a fun teacher she must be.
I thought this was beautifully written tale and it’s my favourite book of last year. And cover-wise, I much prefer the US version that you have compared to the UK too.