Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear. MISOGYNY, PART III: BRISEIS (For a better portrayal of Briseis, I’d recommend Pat Barker’s Silence of the Girls.) Even in an addled state, there is no way I would ever confuse great writing for poorly conceived writing. As I was reading through my notes and savoring favorite passages again, now that Cupid’s fog has cleared from my mind, I must say Miller is a wonderful, lyrical writer. Okay, all you trolls. Go ahead and tell me what a philistine I am, how ignorant I am of Greek literature and mythology, and how my failure to appreciate this book reflects my limitations rather than those of the book. You don't really need to bother defending this book, because the masses seem to agree with you. Delivery with Standard Australia Post usually happens within 2-10 business days from time of dispatch. Please be aware that the delivery time frame may vary according to the area of delivery and due to various reasons, the delivery may take longer than the original estimated timeframe.

The Song of Achilles - Bloomsbury Publishing The Song of Achilles - Bloomsbury Publishing

This story looks at the life and relationship between Patrocleus, Achilles' Brother-in-Arms and Achilles himself. Apparently, now that I have looked up additional information on the Iliad and general Greek mythology, and re-watched Troy, Patrocleus and Achilles may have been lovers. Or they may have just been very very close friends (The movie Troy portrays them as cousins). Madeline Miller has written her book as a love story between the two from Patrocleus' point of view. Obviously taking a few liberties as the Iliad does not speak directly to the intimate relationship between the two, Miller stays very close to the lore of the Iliad. It took me a little bit to get comfortable with the intimate relationship portrayed here - I am not accustomed to reading about intimate male relationships, but she allowed the reader time to get accustomed to the idea throughout the book. It worked for me and I too really appreciate that this type of relationship can and does exist. Another person that landed on my shit list! *lol* I really, really disliked her too! I mean I understand that she was Achilles mother and only wanted the best for her son, but it was more than just obvious that the best was Patroclus and I hated her for always trying to drive a wedge between them! Without Thetis half of their troubles wouldn’t have even existed and even though she kind of redeemed herself in the end I still don’t like her! Sorry Thet, but you’ll never get a thumbs-up from me! #SorryNotSorrryAfter Achilles’ death, he is replaced as Aristos Achaion by his brutal son Neoptolemus (AKA Pyrrhus), and the Greeks win the Trojan war. Achilles is properly honored with a tomb, but Pyrrhus won’t allow anyone to carve Patroclus’s name onto the monument and taint his father’s legacy. Patroclus is trapped as a formless spirit. He sees Pyrrhus kills Briseis, witnesses Pyrrhus sacrifice a young Trojan princess to Achilles’ tomb, and then he watches the Greek ships leave the shores of Troy.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller | Waterstones The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller | Waterstones

BISEXUALITY?This is a minor detail, but it bothered me: Miller’s Achilles is revolted by the concept of even touching a woman, but Achilles did like women, and in fact slept with at least two within the context of the Iliad. Patroclus, whom Miller writes as disgusted by Deidamia’s vagina, also slept with at least one woman in the Iliad. This is a minor change—none of those women except Deidamia and Briseis are important to the story—and I wouldn’t have minded Miller’s changing it had she written more and better female characters. Overall, this was an incredible emotional journey, and one of the best (if not the best) retellings that I have ever read.

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Last but not least I want to thank my Sweet Sugar Bun who dared to buddy read this book with me! Thank you for all the comments, messages and updates that made it bearable to read this book. I swear if you wouldn’t have discussed this with me I would have cried even more often than I already did. *lol* So yeah, thanks for that wonderful buddy read and for keeping my sanity intact. I really appreciate it! XD We definitely should go for another buddy read some time soon! I heard “Circe” is a nice book too! *lol* ;-P There are a few books I come across everyday while going through my GR feed, and The Song of Achilles is at top of that list. Rightly so, I have to agree, the heart-wrenching ending notwithstanding. Spoiling this book for future readers would be a crime, so while I'm sharing my thoughts, I'll do my best not to overshare. And then Miller has the audacity to make Thetis act as the instigator of a sexual relationship between Achilles and Deidamia—a sexual relationship which Miller writes as notably non-consensual on Achilles’s part. Thetis, a rape victim herself, who loved her son more than anything, not only allowed but also facilitated his rape. I don’t think I have to further explain how disgusting this is. Miller described Thetis as “cruel,” but I’d say Miller’s own depiction of the character was far more cruel than Thetis ever was.

Song of Achilles (Exclusive Edition BookUp) Hardcover The Song of Achilles (Exclusive Edition BookUp) Hardcover

I do not know this man, I think. He is no one I have ever seen before. My rage towards him is hot as blood. I will never forgive him. I imagine tearing down our tent, smashing the lyre, stabbing myself in the stomach and bleeding to death. I want to see his face broken with grief and regret. I want to shatter the cold mask of stone that has slipped down over the boy I knew. He has given her to Agamemnon knowing what will happen.”

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At once a scholar's homage to The Iliad and startlingly original work of art....A book I could not put down." --Ann Patchett, author of The Dutch House What I liked less was the slow burn nature of a book in the first half when the period and story already offered so much for the author to embellish.

Madeline Miller Books | Waterstones Madeline Miller Books | Waterstones

Achilles meets Patroclus at school at the age of twelve, and soon the unlikely pairing of these two boys becomes a deep friendship. Wanting to separate the two boys and to begin Achilles life’s teachings, Achilles’ mother Thetis, sends him off to the centaur Chiron for three years to learn literature, nature, sacrifice, and the art of battle. However, not to be torn away from his friend, Patroclus follows Achilles into the caves and remains with him for three years as the love between the two blossoms. The way Miller writes him is nothing like that. A certain amount of leeway is to be expected, of course, but changing the character and personality of one of Homer’s most famous figures to such an extent is beyond bizarre. Miller writes him as a limp-wristed medic twink who does nothing but follow Achilles around like a sycophantic pet. When he puts on Achilles’s armour to go into battle, no one thinks he’ll replace Achilles; everyone—Achilles included!—thinks he’ll fall instantly. The Homeric Patroclus was an excellent fighter in his own right, but Miller’s Patroclus is a waifish pansy who can barely lift a spear. I am going to disagree with the Orange Prize committee. I am going to disagree with thousands of goodreads reviewers. This book is crap. Madeline Miller studied Latin and Ancient Greek from Brown University and even more interestingly studied at the Yale School of Drama, specializing in adapting classical tales for a modern audience. I ignored this book when it first came out because I had read The Iliad twice and plan to read it many more times if the Gods grant me enough time to do so. A reimagining of Homer’s words? There is enough debate over translations of the original source documentation without adding in additional controversy over Miller’s interpretation of events.

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In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.” In particular, his voice when speaking as Achilles, straight up Chris Hemsworth. Honestly, not a bad picture to have in mind whilst listening to a book. Well, both of those things came true, even way earlier than I had initially anticipated. I was about 37% percent in (yes I looked it up! ;-P) when I first started to cry and it didn’t get any better after that. This book was just so beautiful! So, so damn beautiful! Madeline Miller definitely has a way with words and I loved how this story was written: Poetical with a lot of mythological facts and with so many details that it succeeded to make this a more than just intriguing journey. Patroclus is born the prince of a modest kingdom in ancient Greece, the unexceptional son of an abusive king. When he accidentally kills a nobleman’s son, he is exiled to Phthia, where he meets the talented, beautiful, straightforward Achilles, god-born son of King Peleus and the sea-nymph Thetis. Achilles takes Patroclus as his therapon, brother-in-arms, and the two young men develop a deep friendship that blossoms into romance.