By Madeline Miller
This book is about the classic tale of Achilles, hero of Greek myth. It is told from the point of view of Patroclus, his friend, lover, and lifelong champion. What I really liked about Miller’s style is that she makes the legendary real, providing essential context where previously I only harbored disbelief. I also got to meet other essential Greek heroes, of whom I was not as fond when they were not the main player. Miller allows us to see motivations, frustrations, and ultimately the fallible humanity of those I was literarily raised to understand were at the level of gods.
The reader is taken along with both boys from early on in life. Patroclus is constantly seen as a disappointment to his father and family, while Achilles, a child of Goddess and Man, is revered from birth. With fate’s cruel sense of irony, Patroclus is the first to kill anyone of the two, and is sent in shame to live and grow in Achilles’ court. From there, the two become ever-closer friends, until more develops, much to the outrage of Achilles’ Goddess mother, Thetis. The two are inseparable through their formative years under the centaur, Chiron on Mount Othrys.
When Helen runs away to Troy with Paris and fatefully launches a thousand ships (because the actual number didn’t scan nor rhyme correctly), both men are coerced into joining the battle on the side of Agamemnon. He proves to be an egotistical, less-than-intelligent politician and swordsman whose presence brings grief throughout the camp. The lovers know that this battle could be the end of Achilles as it was foretold among the gods, and endeavor to outsmart fate – which in all Greek tales works wonderfully.
Many other characters are essential to proving to the pair and the reader the true value in bravery, love, and valor. Odysseus bears witness along with Hector of course. There is savagery and degradation, pulling us to the lowest depths of humanity after we had soared to its heights. The story ends as it always has, but this was a memorable journey upon which the reader is lucky to embark.
Soundtrack
- Hero by Chad Kroger
- Atlas Falls by Shinedown
- Save Me by Skillet
- DOA by I Prevail
- Dead Man Walking by Skillet
- Scars by I Prevail
Pros & Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- Story with familiar faces that you get to see in a new light
- Legendary battle scenes
- Able to see great leadership before the fall
- Learn about a lot of Achilles’ family that I had no idea about
Cons
- There is a certain critical weakness that is NEVER. MENTIONED.
- I feel like Odysseus is on the “wrong side” in this one – more of a manipulator than a great problem solver
- Thetis is an awful character that you will just never like