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The Song of Achilles
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
Greece in the age of Heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia. Here he is nobody, just another unwanted boy living in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles.Achilles, 'best of all the Greeks', is everything Patroclus is not - strong, beautiful, the child of a goddess - and by all rights their paths should never cross. Yet one day, Achilles takes the shamed prince under his wing and soon their tentative companionship gives way to a steadfast friendship. As they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something far deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel and deathly pale sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.Fate is never far from the heels of Achilles. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men 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, Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows Achilles into war, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they have learned, everything they hold dear. And that, before he is ready, he will be forced to surrender his friend to the hands of Fate.Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.
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BookBabe2018
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Magic, heartbreak, and love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Allthebookclubs
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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The tale of Achilles, as told by Patroclus. This book explores the relationship that may have been more than just leader and henchman, as suggested in Iliad. While some scholars claim their relationship was not romantic, this book explores the possibility that it may have been and it feels like MM may have drawn some of her ideas from the Shakespeare portrayal about them being nothing but sexual. Book #25 in 2024

Allthebookclubs The rest of my review: An interesting read, but full of boring characters with no real dialogue or reason for living other than, he is a god and I am a prince and so on… (edited) 6d
14 likes1 comment
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Plato expressed belief through the mouth of Phaedrus in his Symposium that Achilles & Patroclus were "undeniable lovers," though historians & scholars alike have discouraged such ancient musings with prejudice & bias. As a Classicist, Miller grew frustrated with a subject that has been up for debate for a millennia, & so tsoa was born, a vivid reimagining of The Iliad penned in immersive prose, breathing fresh life into Homer's famous characters.

nonbinaryandbitter Thank you for reminding me of this read, put on hold!!! 3d
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @nonbinaryandbitter It's such a beautiful book. I cried my eyes out the first time I read it. Happy reading. I'll look out for your thoughts on it x 3d
59 likes1 stack add2 comments
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Tkimsal Loved this book. 2w
JuniperWilde I really enjoyed this book. She‘s an excellent writer. 2w
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @Tkimsal It's absolutely amazing. This is my second time around, and it honestly feels like the first! 1w
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @JuniperWilde She's incredible. I love her so much! 1w
38 likes4 comments
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Gawd! I just saw this shared by fans and am more certain than EVER that these two were born to play Achilles and Patroclus! 🫒 Couldn't resist resharing my fancast with photographic evidence!

bookandbedandtea They would be perfect! I loved them in RWRB. 2w
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @bookandbedandtea Right?! Me too. They were perfect as Alex and Henry! 2w
5feet.of.fury Love it 2w
37 likes3 comments
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kilogolf
Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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4/5 stars

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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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I would literally sell a kidney for this fancasting to be made a reality! Cannot stop thinking about these two playing Achilles and Patroclus in Madeline Miller's adaptation of the book after seeing them cast by fans recently 🥰. As a huge RWRB fan... I'm manifesting to the universe to make this happen! 🫒 Not to mention, Nicholas Galitzine has expressed an interest in playing a character set in Ancient Greece!

Susanita Oh my. You could cut yourself on that jawline. 2w
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @Susanita Ha! I love it! You totally could! They're so perfect for these roles in my eyes! 2w
38 likes2 comments
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traa
Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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RememberEmmitTill
Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
Bailedbailed

This book literally starts with a child killing another child from a fight over a pair of dice. It gets worse. Achilles in greek mythology was supposed to be a hero. He refused to protect someone that he should of and does nsfw things, so I bailed on this book.

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Bigfoot
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I feel like this is just one of those books that you love the more you read it. This is the second time I‘ve read this book, and I loved it even more the second time. Definitely a comfort book.

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Honeybeebooks
Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Another great novel by Miller. Achilles the half-God hero of the Greeks during the Trojan War, was celebrated as an almost unbeatable warrior in mythology. The Song of Achilles tells us of the gentle musician that will do almost anything for his childhood friend Patroclus. I liked that so many characters from Greek myth were a part of our heroes‘ story. The end was unexpected, but I appreciated it. Achilles is a pick with 4 of 5 ⭐️.

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Milena
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Such a beautiful and bittersweet story that lingers. It might just rank higher than Circe for me. Love, war, hubris, defiance, acceptance, what a roller coaster ride. Here is the ending that I can't let go of: "In the darkness, two shadows reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet and light spills out in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun."

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Serenity_Within86
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Just amazing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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BekaReid
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Taking advantage of today's rainy weather to reread a favorite

dabbe Hello there, gorgeous kitty! 🖤🐾🖤 And I love that book, too! 🤩 5mo
24 likes1 comment
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Serenity_Within86
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Had to put down my current read to start this amazing book

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CoveredInRust
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️

I wasn't supposed to tear up so early. Oh, thats so heartbreaking.

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CoveredInRust
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Time to have my heart ripped out if others are to be trusted!

dabbe No time like the present. I LOVED this book! 🧡💜🧡 7mo
CoveredInRust @dabbe I'm only on chapter 3 but the writing is gorgeous 😭 7mo
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TheLudicReader
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Mehso-so

I know people love this book, but for me it was only so-so. I just don‘t think I like this type of book…while the writing was fine, it felt like I was being told the story, rather than living it…and there were so many names, I just stopped trying to keep track. A student in one of my classes was moved to tears reading it in the spring, but I honestly felt nothing. Am I heartless?

dabbe I can see why you felt that with this book. TBH, most myths do that for me, esp. E. Hamilton's book. I appreciated this one for the backstory it gave me to be able to teach THE ILIAD in a more profound way, especially regarding the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. Have you read Circe? I enjoyed that much more as a 1st-person POV so Circe is telling her own story. And it's a good one!
You? Heartless? #noway 💙🖤🩵
7mo
TheLudicReader I do own Circe, @dabbe, but I am not in any hurry to read it after finishing this one. I will put both in my classroom library. 7mo
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Prairiegirl_reading I know so many people love this but I can not get into it! I‘ve tried twice and I haven‘t been able to make past the first chapter. I don‘t know what it is. 7mo
TheLudicReader @Prairiegirl_reading maybe it's the hype? I found it seriously I underwhelming. 7mo
rwmg The first half was rather sweet and I enjoyed it but in the second half I just found Patroclus unbelievable. On past form I should have been in floods of tears at the end, but I just felt, “oh, ok“. As others have said “Circe“ is much better. 7mo
TheLudicReader @rwmg I have no trouble blubbering over the fate of characters, but I had the same reaction as you. It was just underwhelming. Not sure I will read Circe, even though I own it, but never say never, I guess. 7mo
32 likes7 comments
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RedCurly
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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After I read Circe I bought the author's other book which was published in my country. I liked Circe a bit better. It was quite a bitter sweet story and I was so sorry for them.

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McGonagall
Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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My jury duty companion today

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Tkimsal
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 9 “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller

dabbe LOVED this and Circe! I wish she'd write faster! 🤣🤣🤣 9mo
Tkimsal @dabbe She did just have a short story published but I haven‘t read it. Someone in my book club said it was good but a very quick read that left her wanting another book! 9mo
dabbe @Tkimsal I'll have to find that one. Thanks! 😊 9mo
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chlolovesbooks
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

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RaeLovesToRead
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Tatty Devine x Women's Prize book necklaces!!!!

Have I read the books......? Um.... errr... LOOK A TEAPOT!!!

*runs away*

Yuki_Onna 🤣Rae, you are hilarious!👌 9mo
TrishB I brought the Achilles one for my daughter‘s birthday today. She has read the book 😁 9mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love these!! 9mo
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dabbe I adored THE SONG OF ACHILLES and all books by Madeline Miller. 🖤🤍🖤 9mo
SamAnne Oh! Love this! 9mo
Branwen THE RUTH OZEKI NECKLACE GIVES ME LIFE OMG! 🥰 9mo
RaeLovesToRead @TrishB My choices were a bit of a gamble... the only one I'd read was Piranesi... which I liked... but I'm counting on loving these more... we shall see! 😅 9mo
RaeLovesToRead @dabbe I have heard so many good things! 9mo
RaeLovesToRead @Branwen Can't wait to read both of the books I have by her. 9mo
69 likes11 comments
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StellaDz
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Anything to do with gods and I‘m in. The story of Patroclus and Achilles is heartwarming yet heartbreaking. I was aware of the story, but I thoroughly appreciated Miller‘s way of telling the tale. I don‘t usually like first-person from one POV, but it worked here, especially making the ending more powerful.

And the audible version 👌👌. A great performance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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PagesByTheWater
Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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I‘ve never read a book like this one before. LGBTQ+ yes, many and I typically love them. But the way this one was written was very different. I‘m unsure if I love it or simply liked it. My opinion may be tainted because I chose to finally read this during a trip to Greece. I do believe it‘s worth the hype.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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StellaDz
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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I realized I had one LGBTQIA+ audiobook waiting for me. It‘s been a quiet workday of renaming files, so I‘ve been thoroughly enjoying this! #currentlylistening

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kelli7990
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Here‘s my review for a book I finished reading last night. This is a Greek Mythology Retelling of The Iliad.

I chose this book for the following prompt:

☑️ Jason | Retriever of the Golden Fleece: A book with gold on the cover - #greekmythologychallenge

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kelli7990
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Victoriahoperose
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Mehso-so

This was just so slow for me. I had such a hard time staying engaged. I know it‘s super popular, but I think the genre just isn‘t for me.

SamAnne I loved Circe but wasn't a fan of this one. Felt like a toga-ripper to me..... 10mo
Victoriahoperose @SamAnne completely agree! I liked Circe a lot, also. Super disappointed with this one! 10mo
34 likes2 comments
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kelli7990
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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kelli7990
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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I decided to start this book since I‘ve been really interested in Greek Mythology lately. This is a Greek Mythology Retelling of The Iliad. This book is really good so far.

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LaurenMags
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Wow. I loved this retelling of Achilles and Patroclus. Love, violence, and gods and goddesses. What more can one ask for?

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Super_Jane
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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4.75/5 stars 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖 #greekmythology #retelling #achilles #troy #greeks

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PunkedRocker56
Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Mehso-so

Ya know those moments when you have to rate something as mediocre, even though you can see why it‘s popular to the vast majority of everyone else? I think it‘s important to be honest about how you feel about a book, while still being able to recognize its positive attributes and the things that make it an amazing book to so many others. Even if it wasn‘t necessarily your cup of tea ☺️

Prairiegirl_reading I believe we should share differing opinions. It‘s not a personal attack if you don‘t like something I love. I couldn‘t get one chapter into that book. It‘s not for me. There are millions of other books that might be. And that book is loved by a huge number of people and that‘s great for them. 11mo
Kristy_K I felt the same about this book. I‘m currently reading Circe by this author and am struggling too. Beautifully written, but I don‘t think her books are for me. 11mo
E.Bolhafner This is one of my son's favorite books and I reviewed it {on Librarything} years ago at a solid 3 but upped it to 4 once I reframed the story in my head. I do feel like I need to reread it as it has been 11 years. I think that is the problem with hyped books and or authors. Sometimes it is built up so high that it falls flat. 11mo
23 likes3 comments
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tphil10283
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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It‘s a very rich expression of the myth that reminds us of important things about being human.

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PunkedRocker56
Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller

By popular demand from some of my friends, this hot trend is going to be my next read! I‘ve heard some pretty great reviews about this one and I‘ve been meaning to dip my toe into Greek mythology more. This will be my first read for May, so I hope it‘ll end up being a strong start!

dabbe Oh, I loved this book! Can't wait to read what you think about it. 🤗 11mo
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Shawna
Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Eggs 🎶🖤🎶 12mo
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Susanita
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Eggs Brilliant 🎶 12mo
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eeclayton
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Mehso-so

#unpopularopinion What a disappointment. The beginning was promising, but then it was just boring. Both Achilles and Patroclus felt flat for me, and I didn't get why it was supposed to be an earth shattering romance when all it seemed to be based on was how hot and perfect Achilles was.
I don't understand the hype.

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CollapsingLibrary
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Bailedbailed

Bailing on this book for now. Not sure if it‘s me, that narrator, or if really this is something I should read rather than listen to, but I‘m having a hard time keeping focus and following the story. I‘ll probably return to it as a physical book sometime soon but for now I‘m going to leave this here.

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CollapsingLibrary
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Starting my next audiobook and my #doublespin read of the month! I was in the minority and didn‘t like Circe so I‘m worried going in but going to go in hopeful since it has so many rave reviews!

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego This is one of my favourite books of all time. I liked it better than Circle. Hopefully you will too. 12mo
56 likes1 comment
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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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"In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun."

~ The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller ♡.

The epitome of polished prose resides on these pages. I couldn't resist sharing this lucid passage of love and utter adulation. If you haven't read this book already, you're in for a treat. Be prepared to be blown away ♡ x

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Read563
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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The song of Achilles is a beautiful written novel and I HIGHLY recommend it. Madeline Miller is very talented to create this masterpiece. I rate it 5/5!

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TheIntrovertedDodoBird
The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller
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Miller breathes such beauty into her masterful retelling of Homer's Iliad, leaving her readers positively awe-inspired. Her prose sweeps you up in its magnificence, sweet as honey, simply elegant, transporting you to epic highs and lows the Greek Heroic Age. The Trojan War was painfully fruitless, leaving Achilles torn between the fame that is his birthright and the greatest love of his life, Patroclus, while he navigates his destiny. Stunning ♡.

Singout Have you read Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker? That‘s an immensely powerful woman-centred retelling of the Iliad as well. 12mo
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @Singout I haven't read that one, but I'll definitely add it to my ever growing TRP ♡. Thank you. I thought Briseis was a powerful character in The Song of Achilles, so exploring her story sounds intriguing (and probably heart-breaking). I heard The Women of Troy is good, too. I'm pretty sure that one is by Pat Barker, as well. Miller has opened up a whole new interest in Greek Mythology for me now ♡ X 12mo
48 likes2 comments