The Song of Achilles

by Madeline Miller

I bought The Song of Achilles and Circe by Madeline Miller after thinking about them for a few weeks. I had no clue what they were about, and usually I don't like anything that has to do with Greek Mythology. That genre usually just bored me, but I am so glad I picked this novel up!

It took me a few minutes to get into to it, but about 50 pages in, I was hooked. I thought it was such a charming story about love, fame, and loss. I liked how it was told from Patroclus's point of view. If it had been told from Achilles point of view, it would have been a very different story, focused on destiny, and never finding an opponent that gave him a good fight, and growing from scared of being fated as the "greatest warrior who ever lived", to being bored of being the best and wanting to prove himself if every reckless way.

Instead Patroclus gave us a view of Achilles that made him seem more human.

At first, Patroclus annoyed me because he was whiny and small as a main character, but then considering what he had been through, it made sense for him, and as his character developed, he became my favorite of the two.

I loved the small moments between him and Achilles, and how they existed together. How Patroclus always went after Achilles, and how honest they were with each other. Usually in a love story like this, one character lies to the other about something, creating a fight when the other finds out the truth, but they were honest the entire time, and it was just neat to see a love story like that.

What lead to the test of their relationship was Achilles, the hero, being selfish and cruel, while Patroclus won the war and saved the men. Achilles refused to fight on account of his pride, and allowed Patroclus to take his place, even after Patroclus begged him.

I loved the last 50 pages of this story. It was the most unique ending, with having Patroclus's stunt be what sets into motion Achilles death, and how we got to see the story continue from Patroclus as a ghost.

I highly recommend this love story.

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