The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The plot of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller has so many twists and turns that I had no idea what to expect. I did not see most of it coming, which is one of the best things about this book. The book is very lyrical right from the first line and easy to read. Reading it was so effortless that it felt like sailing on a very calm, scenic, smooth ocean of blue.

It felt like the book was not just patiently waiting for the reader (me) to start reading, but was infact waiting for me with an open arm to crush my heart into a million pieces as I read this masterpiece.

I found the book to be slow paced for the first half, but the story picked up itself by the time I was half done as and when the War of Troy began. The first half is where the book builds its plot, and the second half is where the book destroys the reader in the most respectful manner. (I am just trying to be funny and sarcastic with this line).

One of the most beautiful things about this book is that it has normalised the same-sex love in a novel which is set thousands of years back, in the ancient times, and not once was any foul comment passed by any of the characters, nor was there any need to clarify the gender. It just was there in the most natural way (just like David and Patrick from Schitts Creek). It was empowering to read a book like this in times like these when people still have to protest for basic human rights.

After I finished this book, I read up on the internet that this is the first book from Patroclus point of view and hence is one of the reasons why the book is very loved, and praised. After reading this book, I can see why this can be a reason to absolutely love this book. The fate of Patroclus and Achilles is heartbreaking and very very painful.

One thing I struggled through the book is to remember the names of each character and who was who. There really were many, especially for someone who was only just introduced to Greek Mythology.

Overall, the book is thought provoking on how ego, pride, and hunger to attain fame can destroy the strongest, the most innocent, and the purest form of love. The last 50 pages will leave you broken so make sure that you read the last 50 pages (alone) curled up in a warm blanket.

There is a movie adaptation focusing on The War of Troy (which is from Achilles’ POV) on Netflix which I found was absolutely not worth my time. One thing which really pissed me off is that the movie portrayed Achilles and Patroclus to be cousins and not lovers. Apparently, people avoided talking about this relationship and I really don’t understand why.