The Song of Achilles: A Novel

A beautiful, heartfelt retelling of the classic Greek myth, centered on the deep and passionate love between Achilles and Patroclus. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable, and their bond adds an emotional depth that makes the story all the more compelling. The writing is poetic, and the love story itself is sweet and touching. Despite these brief lulls, the book's emotional resonance and vivid character portrayal make it a memorable and poignant read.

A different take on the story of Achilles and his exploits during the Trojan War. Most of the book stays true to the Homeric version but the first half of the book is about Achilles childhood and that's where I had issues. The book follows the story that Achilles and Patroclus we're lovers. I can live with that but how this live affair is depicted leaves a lot to be desires. Written in a flowery tone overloaded with romantic notions and mournful longings, these passages would make the most romantic poets blush. It was too much for me to swallow and ruined the book. I can enjoy a romance as well as anyone but the constant simpering and allusions to honey filled longings left me cold. This is a well written and researched book, but the flowery prose simply does not belong here.

I found this book to be profoundly entertaining and enlightening. I was very reluctant to purchase it as I figured I knew how Achilles would meet his end and assumed that the book would be mostly Patroclus dreading and then mourning his lover's death. I was partially correct. Achilles impending doom did stay in my mind for a little while, but I was transfixed watching the romance between Patroclus and Achilles unfold. But as I grew fond of the two characters, my fear of 'the end' started to surface as well, which is about the time that the prophecy of his death in battle is revealed. This really helped me connect with Patroclus as now both of us were somehow hoping for a way to postpone the fate. Here is where the story begins to move in very unexpected ways - while I'm dreading Achilles' demise, it recounts his life, the time he got to enjoy his God-given skills and bask in the arms of his lover. For the first time in reading a book I began to prize the journey more than the ending which is a good lesson to learn since to die is the human condition, but to live is a privilege and a choice.