A reimagining of the tale of Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior that ever lived. Combining history, Greek mythology and legend, told from the perspective of Patroclus, Achilles’ closest friend and lover.
This book has opened my eyes in a way nothing else has been able to in understanding love between two people of the same gender. In my youth I have scorned and revolted at the idea of homosexuality. Over the last decade that has been replaced with my belief that while I don’t understand it, I would not want people to be treated less than human because of who they love. While homosexuality is depicted in television shows and movies frequently now, I’ve never seen it done in a way that moved my understanding of “love between two people.” Until this book.
The first part of the tale is a story of love that exposes the pain felt when society is not accepting of what is the norm. It is told in a dreamy, almost wistful style, as if a tale recited by an innocent child. It is a tale of love that is pure, love that is torn at by society, love that is doomed to end in tragedy and pain. The author succinctly reveals what very well could be the reason why homosexuality is so abhorred in patriarchal society by writing “Our men liked conquest; they did not trust a man who was conquered himself.” There is irony in that Achilles goes to war for the cause of heterosexual relationship that is stale and cold, yet accepted as the ideal, in comparison to what he and Patroclus share but is rejected by the world.
The second part is tale of men choosing glory at a heavy price, glory that echoes through the ages instead of leading an ordinary life. Choosing what is expected of you instead of what you desire. Choosing to spill the blood of your own child to sate desire of power, renown, and wealth. Choosing violence, death, destruction. Those things that are momentary horrific and fleeting in lieu of peace that is long-lasting, to only regret their choices as war stretches out to last years. And then accept and change and seek out things that are opposite of violence and death as war becomes an occupation lasting a decade. And finally, there is no greater enemy to ourselves than our own pride, it destroys everyone that gives it power.