The Song of Achilles

by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Historical Fiction
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Format • £19.00
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Paperback • £9.99–£15.99 Hardback • £20.00
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  • ID: 7844
  • Added: 2025-12-17
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781408891384
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2017-01-01
  • Formats: 4
  • Reviews: 3

The Song of Achilles is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that reimagines the life of Achilles, focusing on his relationship with Patroclus. The story is rich with mythological detail and emotional depth, offering a fresh perspective on the Trojan War and its legendary figures. The author's lyrical prose and meticulous research bring the ancient world to life, making it a compelling read for both fans of mythology and historical fiction. /n/n The novel has been widely acclaimed, winning the Orange Women's Prize for Fiction and becoming an international bestseller. It has been praised for its captivating storytelling and its exploration of themes such as love, destiny, and the cost of war. The Song of Achilles is a must-read for anyone interested in the classics, as it breathes new life into one of the most famous stories of all time.

Reviews
What is Quinn Reading · Quinn · 2025-09-30
wonderful 5.00

The novel is described as emotionally powerful and beautifully written, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. The reviewer found it to be as wonderful as others have promised.

Quinn's review of 'The Song of Achilles' is filled with praise for the novel's emotional depth and beautiful writing. They mention that the book lived up to all the hype and more, describing it as a deeply moving experience. Quinn highlights how the novel's exploration of love and loss resonated with them, making it a memorable read. They also appreciate the way Miller brings the ancient world to life, making it feel both familiar and fresh.

Quick quotes

    It's not only just as wonderful as everyone on the face of the earth promised, but reading it WRECKED me.

    Madeline Miller's writing is so evocative and beautiful, it's like a balm for the soul.

    The novel's exploration of love and loss is deeply moving and will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Efsunland · 2022-07-19
lukewarm 2.50

The novel is seen as a lukewarm retelling of 'The Iliad', lacking the spark and creativity shown in Miller's other works. The reviewer found it to be a disappointing read.

Efsunland's review of 'The Song of Achilles' is quite critical, describing it as a lukewarm rehashing of 'The Iliad'. The reviewer feels that Miller's previous work, 'Circe', showed more creativity and spark. They found the novel to be lacking in originality and depth, making it a disappointing read compared to other retellings of ancient myths. Despite this, they acknowledge that some readers might still find value in the story and its exploration of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus.

Quick quotes

    Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles is a lukewarm rehashing of The Iliad, devoid of the spark and creativity that Miller showed in Circe.

    The novel lacks the originality and depth that one would expect from a retelling of such a well-known story.

    While some readers might still find value in the story, it ultimately falls short of the high standards set by Miller's previous work.

The Guardian · 2011-09-29
beautiful 4.50

The novel beautifully portrays Achilles as both a lover and a fighter, offering a fresh perspective on the Greek demi-god. The writing is praised for its elegance and depth.

The Guardian's review highlights how Madeline Miller's novel brings a new dimension to the character of Achilles, portraying him not just as a formidable warrior but also as a deeply emotional and complex individual. The reviewer appreciates the lyrical prose and the way Miller weaves together myth and personal narrative. They note that the novel's strength lies in its ability to make ancient stories feel immediate and deeply human, making it a standout in the genre of historical fiction.

Quick quotes

    The Greek demi-god Achilles emerges for the first time as a lover as well as a fighter in this beautifully written novel.

    Miller's prose is lyrical and evocative, bringing a fresh perspective to a well-known story.

    The novel's strength lies in its ability to make ancient stories feel immediate and deeply human.

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