The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is set during the Greek Heroic Age and is the story of the life of Achilles and his participation in the Trojan War. The story is told by the exiled prince Patroclus, whose relationship with Achilles started out as a boyish friendship, developed into a brotherhood and eventually became a story of love and romance. It was this love that led to their destruction.

I found this to be a real page-turner. I am not a scholar of Greek Mythology so I can’t judge this book on how accurate it’s details are, but the well developed characters and eloquent writing drew me in and kept me enthralled by the story. The author gave us a layered presentation that cuts through the legend of Achilles and shows his human side.

It has taken me quite awhile to get to this book, I thought that it couldn’t possibly live up to the hype that I’ve read about it, but I am here to say that it definitely does. The Song of Achilles is an epic, beautifully written, heart-felt story of the coming of age of two young men. It deals with love, sacrifice, and war all the while bringing to life a hero of legend. ( )

Bit disappointed in this. It's perfectly fine - nicely written, interesting story - it just didn't have an enlivening spark. There was little wonder or magic in the retelling. The biggest weakness for me was that I didn't really get a sense of Achilles' and Patroclus' friendship in the early section of the book. Miller, sadly, didn't capture for me the closeness or intensity of childhood friendships - we're told how great their love for each other is, not shown it. With that being unconvincing, the early section of the book does tend to drag.

It has made me want to go back and read the classics though. ( )

I was a little worried about the choice of Patroclus as narrator but it was low-key genius and definitely the right choice. ( )

Digital audiobook performed by Frazer Douglas

Miller turns her remarkable talent to Greek mythology in this retelling of events leading up to and including the Trojan War. The novel is narrated by Petroclus, a young prince who has been exiled to the court of King Peleus, where he meets Achilles. The two become friends and are schooled together by the centaur Chiron, who teaches them the arts of war and of medicine. But then Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, and the call goes out for all the men of Greece to battle Troy. Where Achilles goes, Petroclus will follow.

Of course, I knew the basic storyline of the Trojan War going into the book, but Miller makes this such an intimate tale that I felt I was first hearing this story. There are two young men learning about life, honor, duty, and love. I was initially taken aback by Miller’s choice to have Petroclus narrate the tale, but I quickly came to love his point of view.

Frazer Douglas does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. He really brings these characters to life. ( )

RTC, loved this ( )