Summary of The Song of Achilles
“The Song of Achilles” retells Homer’s Iliad in modern prose, particularly focusing on the relationship between Achilles and his friend and lover Patroclus. The first part of the book centres on their upbringing as young boys at the palace of Peleus, Achilles’ father and king of Phtia. The second part of the novel recounts their actions during the Trojan war, as Achilles develops from a sensitive young prince into a heroic warrior in search of immortal glory on the battlefield, while Patroclus realises he is losing the love of his life.
Reasons to read The Song of Achilles
“The Song of Achilles” is a poetic and deeply moving account of the bond between two figures of ancient Greek mythology, Achilles and Patroclus, and their remarkable love for one another, despite difficult circumstances and the opposition of Achilles’ mother, Thetis. The novel won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2012 (now called the Women’s Prize for Fiction). Madeline Miller is an American novelist and classics teacher. She also published the novel “Circe”. Both novels became international bestsellers.
Setting: Phtia (Greece) & Troy (Turkey)
Book set in Greece: Ancient Phtia (Mount Pelion in present-day Phthiotis); and Turkey: ancient Troy (near present-day Tevfikiye).
Original title: The Song of Achilles
Year of publication: 2011
Nr of pages: 416
