The Song of Achilles

Hardcover, 416 pages

English language

Published Nov. 7, 2012 by Ecco Press.

ISBN:
978-0-06-206061-7
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OCLC Number:
773303923

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(1 review)

Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath.

They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes 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, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

35 editions

Everyone says Where is Achilles, not How is Achilles

A great retelling of the story of Achilles from the point of view of Patroclus (even after... you know)

Light and easy to read, with a pace that will satisfy young or first time (to the story) readers. Some beatiful prose and emotive writing. This book certainly makes the characters seem real and believable - expertly dealing with divinity in an incredibly grounded way.

Apollo's intervention at the walls of Troy here is perhaps my favourite adaptation I've read so far.

Yes, it's a romance story, but it's also much more. You know what is coming - I've avoided a spoiler above but whether by film, TV, or book the story of what happens in the siege of Troy is not a suprise. The focus on relationships and emotions hits harder given knowledge of what is coming and the constant sense of inevitability.

Subjects

  • Trojan War
  • Greek mythology
  • Fiction
  • History
  • Trojan War
  • Achilles
  • Patrocles
  • LGBT+
  • Romance
  • Fantasy
  • Mythology

Places

  • Turkey
  • Troy (Extinct city)
  • Greece