The book portrays the love between Achilles and Patroclus. It’s a bildungsroman, a retelling of a story from Greek mythology. Madeline Miller is a brilliant storyteller.
There are so many parallels one can draw between the characters and events of Hindu epics and Greek mythology. The way goddess Sita who was married to Lord Ram was carried away to Lanka by Ravana and a huge war ensued as a result, similarly, Helen, wife of Menelaus was carried away to Troy by Paris and war arose. The way Sita gets to choose her husband, so does Helen. In Ramayana, they talk about Lord Shiva’s bow Pinaka and in Greek Mythology we have the bow of Heracles. These are similar stories portraying similar ideologies.
Achilles is the son of sea nymph Thetis and a mortal king Peleus. Patroclus is the son of king Menoitius and a lady whose name is not mentioned. The story is narrated by Patroclus. At the age of nine, he goes as one of the suitors to marry Helen who is the daughter of the King of Sparta. Helen chooses Menelaus for her husband and all the suitors are made to take a vow to protect Helen. A major part of the book revolves around the Trojan War, where everyone goes to rescue Helen. Although many would know what happens in the end, the whole build-up, characterisation, and vivid descriptions had such a poignancy that I could imagine everything so vividly in my head and could empathise.
The beautiful, unadulterated love between Achilles and Patroclus is the salient feature of the novel from the beginning to the end. Patroclus is neither very good-looking nor is he very talented, but Achilles loves him for what he is. Though both come across a lot of obstacles, they fare through. Achilles’ mother Thetis detests Patroclus, but he pays no heed to it.
I liked Achilles, for he was strong, bright, and had unconditional love for Patroclus and fought for him till the end. I also like Patroclus for his sweet, tending nature and proves himself to be courageous too. An irritating character was Agamemnon as I felt that he was the cause of many problems towards the end.
The writing is clear, and easy and shows the wonderfully imagined storytelling skills of the author.
I read Circe a few years ago and I loved it. I would say the same for The Song of Achilles, but I am a sucker for feministic novels like Circe. My liking is skewed towards Circe. I am sure many have already read this book but those who haven’t read it yet, you must!