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The Song of Achilles by [Madeline Miller]

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Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles Kindle Edition

by Madeline Miller (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

33,744 ratings

in Ancient World Historical Romance

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**OVER 1.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD**

WINNER OF THE ORANGE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION
THE INTERNATIONAL SENSATION
A SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

'Captivating' DONNA TARTT
'I loved it' J K ROWLING
'Ravishingly vivid' EMMA DONOGHUE

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.

'A book I could not put down' ANN PATCHETT
'An exciting, sexy, violent Superman version of The Iliad' GUARDIAN
'Sexy, dangerous, mystical' BETTANY HUGHES

Print length

369 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date

5 September 2011
File size

1121 KB
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Product description

Review

"Beautifully done. . ..In prose as clean and spare as the driving poetry of Homer, Miller captures the intensity and devotion of adolescent friendship and lets us believe in these long-dead boys...deepening and enriching a tale that has been told for 3,000 years."--Washington Post

"Fast, true and incredibly rewarding...A remarkable achievement."--USA Today

"Madeline Miller's brilliant first novel...is a story of great, passionate love between Achilles and Patroclus....[R]ewriting the Western world's first and greatest war novel is an awesome task to undertake. That she did it with such grace, style and suspense is astonishing."--Dallas Morning News

"One of the best novelistic adaptations of Homer in recent memory, and it offers strikingly well-rounded and compassionate portrait of Achilles....[Miller] injects a newfound sense of suspense into a story with an ending that has already been determined."--Wall Street Journal

"Powerful, inventive, passionate, and beautifully written. "--Boston Globe

"I loved it."--J.K. Rowling

"One of 2012's most exciting debuts...seductive, hugely entertaining....[I]magining the intimate friendship between Achilles and the devoted Patroclus...Miller conjures...soulmates. The resulting novel is cinematic--one might say epic--in scope, but refreshingly, compellingly human in detail."--Vogue

"The Song of Achilles...should be read and enjoyed for itself, but if Madeline Miller's novel sends the reader back to Homer and his successors, she is to be thanked for that as well."--Washington Independent Review of Books

"Wildly romantic [and] surprisingly suspenseful....[B]ringing those dark figures back to life, making them men again, and while she's at it, us[ing] her passionate companion piece to The Iliad as a subtle swipe at today's ongoing debate over gay marriage. Talk about updating the classics."--Time magazine

"You don't need to be familiar with Homer's The Iliad (or Brad Pitt's Troy, for that matter) to find Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles spellbinding....her explorations of ego, grief, and love's many permutations are both familiar and new....[A] timeless love story."--O magazine --This text refers to the paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

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.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Madeline Miller was born in Boston and attended Brown University where she earned her BA and MA in Classics. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Circe and The Song of Achilles, which was awarded the Orange Prize for Fiction and has been translated into twenty-five languages. She lives in Narberth, PA with her husband and two children.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Book Description

A beautiful new limited edition paperback of The Song of Achilles, published as part of the Bloomsbury Modern Classics list --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

From the Inside Flap

--London Times Literary Supplement --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Review

A captivating retelling of the Iliad and events leading up to it through the point of view of Patroclus: it's a hard book to put down, and any classicist will be enthralled by her characterisation of the goddess Thetis, which carries the true savagery and chill of antiquity -- Donna Tartt * The Times Christmas Books * I loved it * J.K. Rowling * Mary Renault lives again! A ravishingly vivid and convincing version of one of the most legendary of love stories * Emma Donoghue, author of number one bestseller, Room * Original, clever, and in a class of its own ... an incredibly compelling and seductive read * Independent on Sunday * A remarkably fresh take on one of the most familiar narratives in western literature * The Times * Extraordinary ... Beautifully descriptive and heart-achingly lyrical, this is a love story as sensitive and intuitive as any you will find * Daily Mail * Sexy, dangerous, mystical * Bettany Hughes * If I were to give a prize for the best work of fiction I've read this year, this would be the runaway winner. As a first novel, it heralds the arrival of a major new talent * A.N. Wilson, Reader's Digest * Inventive, passionate, uplifting and different. It will appeal to all ages. It's a book which despite some of the stiffest competition in the modern world is a truly worthy winner * Joanna Trollope, chair of the judges for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2012 * --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005FPWUSA
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Publishing; 1st edition (5 September 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1121 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 369 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1408891387

Best Sellers Rank: 531 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 1 in Ancient World Historical Romance
- 1 in Greek & Roman Myth & Legend
- 4 in Historical Fantasy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
33,744 ratings

About the author

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Madeline Miller

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Madeline Miller was born in Boston and grew up in New York City and Philadelphia. She attended Brown University, where she earned her BA and MA in Classics. For the last ten years she has been teaching and tutoring Latin, Greek and Shakespeare to high school students. She also studied in the Dramaturgy department at Yale School of Drama, where she focused on the adaptation of classical texts to modern forms. She currently lives near Philadelphia, PA. The Song of Achilles is her first novel. Her second novel, Circe, will be published in April 2018. Visit her website at: www.madelinemiller.com

Photo credit: Nina Subin

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4 star		33%
3 star		10%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from Australia

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Karly Martin

Devastatingly good

Reviewed in Australia on 13 August 2021

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I can’t put into words just how much I absolutely love and adore this book. It has catapulted its way to being my favourite book of all time. I didn’t expect to be so taken by it, as mythology is not something I go out of my way to learn about. But that did not matter at all! The story centres around Patroclus and Achilles love for one another. We witness their unbreakable bond, despite every thing their twisted world of gods and kings throws their way.

“We were like gods at the dawning of the world, and our joy was so bright we cold see nothing else but each other.”

I bawled my eyes out like a little baby throughout so many chapters, and even after it ended. This is also the slowest I’ve read a book I loved, because my little heart couldn’t bear the devastating effect it had!! I will forever think about The Song of Achilles and the impact it has had on me. Thank you, Madeline Miller.

2 people found this helpful

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Nick_Melbourne

A readable version of Homer's Iliad

Reviewed in Australia on 1 March 2020

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If I had not previously read Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, I probably would have loved this book. It gives a fine readable version of the Iliad with extra emphasis on the relationship between the hero Achilles and his friend and lover Patroclus. However, having read the other book I knew the outline of the story and so little annoyances (at least to me) came to the fore. Among these were the narration near the end of the book, for which the author uses a trick popular in some recent books, but still disturbing. And I did not like having the Greek gods explicitly take part in the action; I would rather have them in the background just as possibilities in the minds of the characters. Those who, like me, loved the author's later book Circe should read this first and then the Silence of the Girls.

One person found this helpful

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I was transported to the time of the ancients, and I loved every moment of my journey!

Reviewed in Australia on 18 November 2016

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From the very first page I was transported to a vivid, very real and believable time, and I couldn't stop reading. The writer clearly knows her classics, being a scholar and teacher of it. I loved this interpretation of the story of Achilles, told through the voice and eyes of his companion Patroclus. Written in clear, everyday language this story is highly readable, and tells of the ancient gods, giants and men, battles and mythical creatures like Chiron the centaur. Names are vaguely familiar but appear fresh and new, being brought to life again by a vivid, cleverly woven tale. I loved it.

3 people found this helpful

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Sam M

Lets make it clear - this is a love story!

Reviewed in Australia on 30 July 2021

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You need to go into this book knowing it isn't an interpretation of the story like we saw in Troy - the movie. The entire focus of this book is the life story between Achilles and Patroclus. I felt that parts of this story were overdone and that this took away from story rather than add to it. Nevertheless it is a well written book that I enjoyed reading but I went into it with slightly different expectations!

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Jayne

Ohhh, this book!

Reviewed in Australia on 4 October 2021

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This book is Devine. Madeline has an excellent knack for weaving greek mythology/classic tales into stories that can be read by all. I was heavily invested in this love story and felt ALL the feels. Please, please read. Also, have a crack at CIRCE - the author's other TERRIFIC novel.

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Caitlin

Overhyped but not bad

Reviewed in Australia on 22 January 2022

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I read half of the book in one sitting, and I enjoyed it, but they had already told you of his fate. So I found myself constantly putting off continuing it. I felt no pull or desire to really know what happened.
I did though, I sat down and read through because I felt like I had heard so much hype about it that I just couldn't bring myself to pick up another book until I had finished it.
It wasn't bad by all means, I certainly shed a few tears at the end but it was not a favourite and I can't see myself ever re reading it

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A classic story retold with a gentler voice

Reviewed in Australia on 17 April 2020

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Thank you Angela Cooney for leading me to this book!

It's a familiar story, told with a gentler voice. Patroclus, paramour of the great Achilles, narrates Achilles' story. The prose is economical with not a wasted word and yet is none the poorer for it.

Five stars for anyone who likes Greek myths, four stars for everyone else (who doesn't like a cracking tale?).

👍🏼

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freelunch

"The best the gods have ever made"

Reviewed in Australia on 31 March 2019

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So much I didn't know about Achilles and Patroclus and the Trojan War.

This was a great read that brought made the characters feel alive and relatable. Really looking forward to reading more from Madeline Miller, and on this era of history/folklore.

"You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature."

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Theo

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 March 2019

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I’m going to assume that you’re familiar with the Iliad because it’s been out a while, so, Spoilers, I guess?

The Song of Achilles is a retelling, one which takes the myth and runs with it. Here Achilles really is the son of a sea nymph, he is trained by a centaur, and gods play their part in the lives of man.

I used to know my Classics a lot better that I do now - Roger Lancelyn Green’s books were a staple of my childhood library - so this was a book which unfolded for me. I remembered each plot point as we hit it, so I’m entirely the wrong person to ask if it makes any logical sense. It probably doesn’t. It certainly could have done a better job of selling ancient motivations to a modern audience.

The story is told by Patroclus, a prince and, when he begins this story, unlikely candidate for Helen’s hand in marriage. I am super here for a room full of men deciding what will happen to a teenage girl, as you can imagine. This is a male story, though, and Miller doesn’t attempt to change that.

However, when Patroclus inadvertently kills another boy, he is exiled to the court of Peleus where he falls swooningly in love with Mary Sue Achilles, who’s super perfect at everything (as one expects from a demi-god). Thetis, Achilles’ mother, really hates Patroclus. The boys go off to learn things on a mountain. They are swoonily swoony. They come back. Thetis hates Patroclus. Then she hides Achilles because she doesn’t want him to go to Troy as he will be killed.

Once the war actually begins, a good half way through the book, things improve, in part because there’s actually things happening. There is air of inexorability to the whole thing which really gets into its stride in the last third as we make the drive towards what is fated to happen (and we’re no longer reading rambling scenes about how swoony teenage Achilles is).

When Miller hits the predetermined narrative events, she’s good. When she’s making her own way between, she’s… less good.

For a book which treats the gods as real, there’s an awful lot of “something’s happening because the gods are displeased” conversations, followed by “here’s the solution to that” conversations. Obviously there’s no one correct version of many of the myths, but sometimes Miller takes the path of most boredom, such as the demand for the sacrifice of Iphigenia. Apollo’s appearance on the walls of Troy especially charmed me, so the omission of the gods involvement in other ways, even as a background, felt disappointing.

I am also critical of the characterisation. Odysseus is great, true, but everybody else? Eh.

Achilles lives his whole life chained to the prophecies made about him, but whatever this does to him remains unexplored. He’s just some guy. Admittedly one who is super good at everything and jolly good looking. And when we’re reading the narrative of a boy, then man, who is in love with him, I’d really have preferred to grasp the appeal.

Thetis is especially poorly done. Like her son she is chained to the pronouncements of the Fates, but here she is a pure JustNoMil. She’s such a central figure in the original myth - the Trojan war begins because of a prophecy made about her: the son of Thetis will be greater than his father, hence “marriage” to Peleus, hence somebody not doing the invitations right, hence golden apple etc etc etc

I was also unreasonably annoyed that Miller chooses to not use the one thing everybody knows about our demi-god: that he really should have invested in some foot armour. Google assures me Homer doesn’t include the story of Thetis’s attempt to make her son invulnerable and immortal, but Homer doesn’t include Achilles’ death, either. Or the romantic relationship between him and Patroclus. It felt like a massive oversight rather than a deliberate decision.

The beginning was interesting if not grippy. Then it got a bit dull. Then a bit duller. Then, by the end, it was very good indeed. I don’t rule out reading Circe, Miller’s second full length novel, but I could just as easily not. Overall?

3 stars

148 people found this helpful

H J Mac

I can't gush enough about this book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 July 2018

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OMG, I held my breath for the second half of this book. My memory of the events was enough to know what had to happen, but that simply doesn't spoil a thing.
She's managed to take everything we know of the story from the existing texts and build a world that is thoroughly absorbing and beautiful. It's a story of epic soul binding love, so beautifully rendered.
I really enjoyed how there was no modern lens put onto the story. She just tells it. Ideas and concepts that mean something to us would have been meaningless to the ancients, and behaviours we find unacceptable were normal. So some bits are difficult, there's human sacrifice, and slavery including sexual slavery, but nothing is gratuitous or too graphic.
Just read it it's beautiful.

86 people found this helpful

Trish Pea

I wasn't looking forward to reading this book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 October 2018

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I didn't choose to read this book. It was chosen for me as a book-club read. I don't like books about mythology (school in the 1960s put me off for life.) Or ancient history, or wars in any period of history, apart from maybe the two world wars. So, I bought this book with trepidation, not knowing what to expect. I didn't quite believe all the good reviews, and thought I would hate it.

I actually loved it. This is a beautifully-written, very descriptive book. It was easy to read, and a real page turner. I felt that I learned a lot about ancient Greece and the Trojan war. I can't fully remember the story of Achilles from school (it has been erased from my memory, along with Jason and the Argonauts, and the Minotaur) but I loved this re-telling and couldn't put the book down. The simple, striking cover is beautiful too and I would thoroughly recommend this book. A wonderful read.

56 people found this helpful

READ IT

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 August 2016

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A very short review, I'm afraid. Not worthy of this book.

Does this count as historical, or mythological, or pure fantasy? Don't care - brilliant, brilliant book. It was positively painful to read it if I'm honest but I couldn't put it down. One of those books that I felt a true and consuming sense of loss for a few days after reading it. Recommended to EVERYONE.

125 people found this helpful

comm88

Utterly unreadable!!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 February 2019

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How is it that really crappy books are garlanded with "incredible" awards and lavished with undeserved praise???? This thing is really, really crappy. It is puerile in its writing style and it is sooooo boring!! I couldn't stomach it, let alone finish it. Life is way too short to waste on such hollow and unrewarding nonsense. It's a book that leaves you feeling: "Frankly, I really, really don't care!!" I didn't care about or for the characters. I didn't care for the plot, such as it is. I don't care about the author. And I sure don't give a tinker's cuss about the content. Yep. Really that bad. Honestly, do not waste your time on this garbage. Or your money. Go for a walk. Go to the gym. You could even go shopping. But give this book as wide a berth as you possibly can. You will, I guarantee, be far happier with any other choice you care to make!!

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