Homer wrote the Iliad. Yes, we know this. The real question is when he wrote it…
Yup, that’s right. All the way back in good old 650 BCE.
If you’re not intimidated by that, go ahead and read the Iliad. But for the rest of us normal high-schoolers, let’s stick to a more recent retelling of this classic, otherwise known as The Song Of Achilles.
Published in the 21st century, The Song of Achilles by American novelist Madeline Miller is retold from the perspective of an expelled prince, Patroclus, narrating the love story between him and the son of King Peleus and sea goddess Thetis, the fated “best warrior” Achilles, as they fight the Trojan War. Yes, that’s right. A love story between two princes. Incorporating LGBTQ+ into Ancient Greece could not have been easy, yet this addition intrigues young adults in our world today. So let’s celebrate June’s pride month with a book that includes everyone.
Miller also shows us the important theme that “heroes” aren’t necessarily perfect people.
Miller’s delicate storytelling grabs the reader and shows them the complexity of love and the hardships that Patroclus and Achilles must face throughout their lives. By tying in themes of family, honor, and glory with love, Miller creates wholesome and sometimes heartbreaking scenes, providing depth and intimacy to the story. Most LGBTQ+ stories are overly focused on the fact that it is, in fact, LGBTQ+, which makes the love story seem artificial. However, Miller incorporates the gay love story so naturally, which makes it more inclusive.
There are many parts of the book that receive praise from its readers, but the ending is the most hyped and talked-about. Personally, we couldn’t agree more. The ending is the most emotional part of the book: Before the ending, Miller builds up towards the love and relationship between Patroclus and Achilles, but it is the end that showcases the greatest love and emotion. The extent the characters go to protect their loved ones is gut-wrenching and beautiful, leaving readers speechless and with tears streaming down their face.
Miller also shows us the important theme that “heroes” aren’t necessarily perfect people. She also immaculately incorporates concepts from Ancient Greece such as hamartia, a character’s fatal flaw, with more modern themes of LGBTQ+. While some may find Patroclus’ character to be unnaturally reverent of Achilles, Miller still manages to make readers fall in love with the two princes’ relationship.
A love story between two princes.
Even though most people read to escape reality, Miller’s style of including real-world themes gives us more of an incentive to read the book. We, as readers in the 21st century, can resonate with many of the tragedies happening to Patroclus, and we tear up with emotion that ultimately heals and purifies us. (We might remember the concept of catharsis: releasing and therefore providing release from strong emotions.)
While The Song of Achilles is a spectacular book, it is definitely not for those who want a simple, light read. It has one fatal flaw (get it?) that discourages interested readers from taking on the book: the Greek terminology. Many times in the book, the author gives very little or sometimes no context to some of the events and names in the story. At some points, there are several names of gods and certain characters from other plays thrown around which might be very difficult for the average reader to follow. You may find yourself sometimes rereading a page one, two, maybe even three times to fully understand what might be going on.
Still, Miller’s magical storytelling weaves in memories and flashbacks effortlessly, showing the great intricacies and ways of Achilles’ and Patroclus’ lives and circumstances. There is never a time where one is not spellbound at the stories that she shares with the readers. A dynamic mix of romance, action, and myth, The Song of Achilles is an entertaining story that has us all on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
