The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Patroclus and Achilles are best friends. And lovers. After committing a violent crime, the former prince, Patroclus, is exiled from his homeland and sent to live under the care of king Peleus. His son is the beautiful Achilles who is known as "the best of all the Greeks". His mother is the sea goddess Thetis making Achilles all the more special. Patroclus and Achilles quickly develop a strong and unbreakable bond. When the Trojan War breaks out, Achilles decides to fight and Patroclus follows him. While questions of pride and honor will challenge the couple, their love for each other is stronger.
What a great story! I shed tears while reading it and that means that I was moved by it. This is one of my reasons for reading. To be moved. The story of Achilles and Patroclus is beautiful, but also tragic as one will learn. The novel is a rewrite of Homer's "Illiad" (which I have not read), but "The Song of Achilles" is about the love story of Patroclus and Achilles. It beautifully depicts the start of their lives and how they meet and develop as humans together. Their love for each other is undying and strong even though they are met with resistance from the people and events around them.
I love that the story was told from Patroclus' point of view. He was cast aside from such a young age and had many struggles in his life. Despite this, he was always so kind-hearted and tried to do good. When he died out of his love for Achilles, I was honestly heartbroken. And when Achilles' malicious son did not honor his father's wish by giving the lovers a shared tombstone I was furious. Why did the fate of Patroclus have to be so sad? Even after his death, the story is still told from his POV when his soul is still wandering the earth. I loved that part! Patroclus has a "conversation" with Thetis who was always so cruel to him, but only after the death of her son she is open towards Patroclus and learns to accept and honor the relationship between him and Achilles. That was touching. As much as she despised their relationship when the two were alive, she ended up being the one to reunite the lovers in the afterlife.
Overall, I liked the novel. I think it's a great story about love, honor, and war. The writing was beautiful and fit the setting and plot. Four stars from me!
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