Raven's Book Club
The Song of Achilles
Tamima Rashid
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As a former Percy Jackson kid, I was beyond ecstatic to read The Song Of Achilles. It’s highly revered among readers, having won the 2012 Women’s Prize For Fiction and a New York Times Bestseller. Based on The Iliad, an Ancient Greek epic, The Song of Achilles follows Achilles and Patroclus’ journey through the Trojan war. Author Madeline Miller breathes new life into this classic story with new insight into the characters and their lives. Historically, The Trojan War began because the Greek Queen Helen was kidnapped by Prince Paris of Troy. The Greek kings Menelaus and Agamemnon banded together to win her back with a war against Troy. The Song of Achilles becomes so much more than this central conflict. It distinguishes itself from the hundreds of other retellings by focusing on the characters. As an avid fan of character-driven stories, I was pleasantly surprised by this.
When I began reading this book, I was surprised to realize it was from the perspective of Achilles’ “longtime companion” (read: boyfriend) rather than Achilles’ himself. Patroclus is a young, exiled prince who finds himself in the kingdom of Phthia as a foster son of the king. There he meets Achilles, the revered prince and son of Thetis, a goddess of water. He is prophesied to be the best warrior of his generation. Achilles, in the beginning, is the driving factor of this story, despite it being told by Patroclus. In the original telling of the story, Patroclus is nothing but a side character. Patroclus starts the book perpetually following Achilles’ footsteps. Each decision he makes is a matter of what Achilles desires. Being exiled from his family as a child leaves him with little room to grow his identity outside of Achilles. Yet, as he grows into adulthood, Patroclus slowly becomes a force in his own right. Among the Greek soldiers, he is known for being compassionate and an exceptional healer. His unwillingness to hurt people, even during a war, is what makes him such a strong character. The biggest difference from the original myths is that Patroclus has no interest in being a warrior in this retelling. As the story unfolds, it is clear that Patroclus is the center of this story. He is the reason that Achilles does not lose his good qualities to greed.
Achilles is the only prince of Phthia, a man born with power and confidence. As said by Patroclus, “He had always trusted too easily; he had so little in his life to fear or suspect.”(page 70) In the beginning of the book he is innocent and gracious. Achilles’ first interaction with Patroclus is when he saves him from being punished publicly. He seems flawless, both unusually handsome and chivalrous. When Patroclus meets him for the first time, he thinks, “I gaped at the cold shock of his beauty, deep-green eyes, features as fine as a girl’s.” (page 15) He is prophesied to be the best warrior of his time. Madeline Miller chose to write a version of the story which does not include the popular interpretation of Achilles being invincible, save for his ankle. Instead, his impressive fighting ability is his accomplishment. He is surprisingly gentle and talented with a lyre.
At sixteen he is given by the kings leading the war on Troy, the choice is between a long life of obscurity or a short life of fame. Achilles succumbs to this greed for fame, shedding his values as he becomes a seasoned young soldier in the war against Troy. He is no longer a teenager who tries to limit the pain he causes. The only person who remembers the honourable, naive man he once was is Patroclus.
The Song Of Achilles shows, realistically, how little the Greeks thought of women and queer people. The women in this book are given little respect, even including goddesses like Thetis. It paints the misogyny of Ancient Greece in such a realistic way that it broke my heart as I read it. The way the people in power treat women like Briseis - a girl kidnapped and kept in the Greek army’s camp as a “war prize” - is one of the most gut-wrenching elements of the story. Although Ancient Greece is often seen as a utopia for LGBTQ+ people, this acceptance only extended to queer men in their youth - and never as serious partners. Best said by Patroclus, “Many boys took each other for lovers. But such things were given up as they grew older, unless it was with slaves or hired boys. Our men liked conquest; they did not trust a man who was conquered himself.” (page 88)
All things considered, The Song Of Achilles is a phenomenal book that deserves all the fame it has accumulated. The writing is poignant, full of colourful language that makes the story engrossing rather than clunky. The characters are wonderfully developed. This classic tale will keep you on the edge of your seat whether you are a Greek mythology expert or a casual reader.
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