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 wrath of Achilles’s mother, Thetis for defying her wishes. Yet their love cannot prevent the destiny that awaits Achilles on a remote beach at Troy; in exchange for divine protection, until he grows old enough to defend himself against deadly weapons, Achilles must live without honor among men or gods.
The Song of Achilles is an unforgettable coming-of-age story set amid the chaos of the Trojan War. Told through the eyes of Patroclus, it reveals an intimate, passionate portrait of an exceptional hero as he embarks on an epic adventure that will change Western civilization forever.
Set against the backdrop of the decade-long Trojan War, Madeline Miller’s novel of passion and war tells the story of Achilles and Patroclus, who enter into an intimate relationship despite–or perhaps because of–the conventions of ancient Greek life. From their battles on the field together to their private moments back at camp, Miller brings to life these two heroic yet flawed characters who are inseparable in life as they are both driving forces in the Iliad.
In the beginning, there was nothing but chaos. But then came time and order, Zeus, and war. When the Trojan War broke out, Achilles became an immortal hero. But his story did not end there: In this brilliantly imagined novel, Madeline Miller retells the legend of Achilles from start to finish-including his iconic battle with Hector and their ultimate reconciliation on the plains of Troy.
About The Song of Achilles Book
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.
