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Madeline Miller’s 2011 novel, Song of Achilles, has been making waves on social media this past year, so I decided to read it. I love Greek mythology, so I prepared myself for a retelling of the legend of Achilles. What I got was one of the most powerful testaments to love and humanity will that I have ever read.
The story follows Patroclus through his childhood and growing up as the chosen friend of the prophesized hero of the Trojan War, Achilles. The reader watches as this pair grows and is mentored by Chiron before being sent to the front lines of battle. While keeping their affair hidden, they navigate a politically charged army camp and fight for their lives in a war to change the course of Greece. This novel has lines that redefine the concept of expressing love and genuine human emotion. Miller uses a classical writing style to create a beautifully tragic love story. I highly recommend this novel to everyone. Song of Achilles challenges the idea of very cut-and-dry mythology in favor of an emotional story of humanity and heroism. A true 10/10.