2nd Read Through
5/5

I rarely re-read any books, yet something was calling me to The Song of Achilles. I don't know why I put my soul through such heartbreak and torcher. Granted, knowing what was going to happen helped but still.

I think what I enjoyed most about this reread was that besides focusing on the story, I was focusing on so much more. I caught more themes, found quotes that I adored, saw more of that character development, and saw the progression of Achilles going from a naive and carefree child to a man with a desire for blood and glory.

Most importantly, I caught Miller's attention to the women in Homer's Illiad. The women in Homer's Illiad were used for sacrifice, men's pleasure, and pawns in a 10-year long war. Yet Miller breathes history into these women. It starts with Helen, who was sold off to the "highest" bidder, and a man's greed to take her from her marriage chambers. Then we have the story of Briseis, a slave gift to Achilles. And, of course, Agamemnon's daughter. While there is still a tragedy for each of these women, Miller gives them a fighting chance.

Granted, Miller was kinder to these women than that of other retellings. For example, in A Thousand Ships, we see the brutality these women face. Yet, Miller does not do that here. Yes, each woman face's a tragedy, yet they are treated far better than they ever were in history and other translations.

Finding things like this makes me want to continue rereading some of my favorite classical literature.
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1st Read Through
5/5

With already knowing the story and loving greek mythology, one would think that I would not have cried as much. Such lies I told myself.

This is what the movie troy should have been. Is anyone else upset that they made Achilles, in the movie troy, a heterosexual and that Patroclus was absolutely nothing to him?! Anyways moving on from my frustration with the movie and onto the beauty of this book.

I have read Circe by Madeline Miller, and I was blown away by her writing and storytelling style. After reading The Song of Achilles, I completely changed my mind. Her writing doesn't just blow me away. It astounds me that she is not a goddess of writing herself! She took Homer's Illiad and created something magical and something that she will remembered for a long time.

What I loved the most about the plot is the MM focused a lot on the developing relationship of Achilles and Patroclus. Yes, we had the main story playing in the background, and I loved the politics and warfare, but not as much as I loved watching the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus.

I have found that many who read this book didn't like Achilles because of his childlike naivety; However, I think it was a good move for Madeline Miller. In most Greek mythologies, these heroes are shown as overconfident and arrogant. And many are young when they are told of their greatness (talk about a big head situation). She did the same with Achilles; he was an overconfident young boy convinced of his high placement in life as a potential god and that he believed solely in his strength. Which I think we can blame his mother, Thetis, for. But that was why Patroclus was there. He was the sane, rational side that did not exist in Achilles. I think that is why Patroclus is so important in the life of a childlike Achilles.

Moving onto the romance, which blew me away with how well done it was. It wasn't fast or dramatic. It just was. It developed over many years of being alone together, of surviving together. And it was never swayed with each bump in the road. Even in the end, Patroclus would not give up even when Achilles wasn't himself anymore. He was always there to hold him up to ensure that his legacy would live on. Even in death, he ensured that Achilles lived up to his name. There were some points that I wanted to shout, "He doesn't deserve you, Patroclus." But the intensity of their love for each other was both ways, and you especially see that at the end of the book. 

Honestly, Madeline Miller should have won multiple rewards for this book. Hell, give her the Nobel Peace Prize for her stunning writing. She has landed in the spot of "auto-buy" author for me.