The Song of Achilles

Locations
Call Number: Fiction / Miller, Madeline, Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Miller, Madeline
On Shelf At: Pittsfield Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Fiction / Miller, Madeline	4-week checkout	On Hold Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Fiction / Miller, Madeline	4-week checkout	Due 05-03-2024
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Miller, Madeline	4-week checkout	On Hold Shelf
Pittsfield Adult Books 2-week checkout	Express Shelf Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Miller, Madeline	2-week checkout	On Shelf
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Miller, Madeline	4-week checkout	Due 05-21-2024
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Miller, Madeline	4-week checkout	Due 05-10-2024
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Miller, Madeline	4-week checkout	Due 05-13-2024
Downtown 1st Floor 2-week checkout	Express Shelf Fiction / Miller, Madeline	2-week checkout	Due 05-02-2024
Malletts Adult Books 2-week checkout	Express Shelf Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Miller, Madeline	2-week checkout	Due 04-17-2024
Westgate Adult Books 2-week checkout	Express Shelf Adult Book / Fiction / Historical / Miller, Madeline	2-week checkout	Due 05-03-2024

Includes a character glossary.
Patroclus, an awkward young prince, follows Achilles into war, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they have learned, everything they hold dear. And that, before he is ready, he will be forced to surrender his friend to the hands of Fate. Set during the Trojan War.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Hard to put down submitted by Susan4Pax -prev. sueij- on July 13, 2014, 7:52pm What a great way to learn your Greek history. Mostly that stuff is just a list of names from a long-ago Greek Civ class in my mind, but this turned names into fleshed-out characters who were tremendously compelling. I had a hard time putting this down.

Five Stars submitted by Avliss on June 12, 2015, 4:28pm I absolutely adored this book - I've read and translated bits of The Illiad before, and it was so delightful to immerse myself in Miller's superb rendition of this world. Her portrayal of Patroclus and Achilles, both alone and together, adds new life to a long-time classic.

Since I'm a bit of a linguistics nerd, I also really loved how Miller infused the original Greek language in her novel. It was skilfully done, and I think it added another layer to the text.

Tragic and Beautiful submitted by dntanzer on August 31, 2018, 3:10pm This is a book for those interested in greek mythology. It's a beautiful retelling that portrays Patroclus and Achilles in a romantic relationship. The prose is so gorgeous, but heartwrenching.

I didn't want it to end. submitted by AGAPHD on June 15, 2020, 9:17pm I loved this book. The central love story is so beautiful and tender. Knowing how it was fated to end made me dread the unavoidable conclusion. A great retelling of a classic story.

I knew what was coming, but loved it nonetheless submitted by zixyxuan on August 13, 2020, 9:22am After finishing Circe, I wanted to read everything by Madeline Miller...and this book certainly didn't disappoint. I love retellings of the Trojan War, especially stories that focus on how the minor characters made a major impact. This story follows Patroclus, from when he was living as a prince to when he met Achilles and fought in the Trojan War together. Madeline Miller does a phenomenal job with characterization. I love Patroclus and his relationship with Achilles. However, since I knew the plot of The Iliad, I basically saw everything coming.

Overall rating: 4 / 5 Stars

beautiful love story submitted by apknapp on August 19, 2020, 6:10pm Loved it. For lack of a better descriptor, I'd call it historical (mythical?) fiction--takes the rough outline of a story we all know and fleshes out the details. Vibrant characters, wonderfully human (even those who aren't). Incredible detail.

Beautiful and poetic submitted by RachelRedmond on July 26, 2021, 8:27pm A colleague recommended this and I blazed through it. The author brought Greek mythology to life and I learned a lot about the characters through the research I did as I flipped through these pages.

the writing style is to kill for submitted by redmuse on September 19, 2021, 3:13pm The Song of Achilles does what the directors of the 2004 Troy film were too cowardly to do-- they embraced the homoeroticism of the original myth and wove a deadly romance that will live through the ages.

One of my favorites submitted by Mairead Seyfarth on June 17, 2022, 8:08am Beautiful prose. A perfect book for a good cry.

Incredible submitted by lyan.current on June 18, 2022, 4:17pm This book is beautifully written and a fantastic read!

Captivating submitted by Antoine Griezmann on June 26, 2022, 8:46pm Wonderful retelling with such gorgeous language!

Another great Greek myth from Miller submitted by A2AE on June 28, 2022, 5:58pm I love this tale from an unexpected voice giving rich details into the love story between two famous Greek figures from myth. Just like Circe, it makes a wonderful audio book listen.

Great retelling submitted by bjkoch on July 15, 2022, 3:16pm love every character

The book that got me back into reading submitted by zshahid19 on July 17, 2022, 2:33pm This book is amazing, the author did a great job with developing the characters. This book helped me get back into reading!

Rivetting submitted by mbertrand on July 29, 2022, 4:49pm Well, this one kept me up at night. Engaging and enjoyable story.

A Breath of Fresh Air submitted by ekalish92 on August 11, 2022, 1:53pm I've been a fan of Greek mythology for as long as I can remember but never have I read a retelling of a myth that was just so relatable. Miller did an amazing job of breathing life into an old tale and ancient characters. I really recommend this one!

Beautiful writing! submitted by svenetianer on August 28, 2022, 11:46pm The story is heartwarming, but my favorite part of this book is Madeline Miller's writing style. Beautiful prose, vivid descriptions. Can't wait to read Circe.

Wonderfully Told submitted by HerringtonG on June 18, 2023, 4:56pm The book is an interesting concept, especially following up Circe. This one felt much deeper, and had a stronger narrative. Miller did a fantastic job pulling you in, and never letting go.

Great retelling of Achilles story submitted by lagypin on July 10, 2023, 9:38am This was a well written re-telling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus from the perspective of Patroclus. I love the story of the Iliad and have read it in may versions. I appreciated that this version emphasized rather than erased the queer love story between Achilles and Patroclus. I had never before considered the implications of Thetis hiding Achilles away disguised as a woman. Gender and sexuality change with cultures and customs, but perhaps there's a lens one can view the story from where Achilles is a transgender warrior.

Fascinating submitted by pamhockey25 on July 31, 2023, 8:56pm This version is a retelling written by a high school classics teacher. The story is told from the perspective of his best friend, Patroclus. As someone unfamiliar with the mythology, I found it both interesting and sad.