The Song Of Achilles- The legendary love story of Patroclus and Achilles.
By Emma Morgan, 11th Jul 2012 | Follow this author
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The Song of Achilles, written by Madeline Miller, is the winner of The Orange Prize 2012. A beautiful story of love, mythology and violence all rolled into one entertaining novel. This is a review from my point of view as a lover of everything to do with Greek Mythology and the Ancient Greeks.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.
As legend tells it, Achilles was the hero of the Trojan War. Born a demi-god, he was gifted with fighting skills no mortal could match. His mother Thetis, a sea nymph and his father Peleus the mortal King of Phthia combined together gave Achilles his advantage over others. His death in the Trojan War has become legend as it was once said he could not die. His heel was the weak spot of his anatomy, which is where the term Achilles Heel or Tendon comes from.
The Trojan War has been written of many times, with even the Hollywood film Troy depicting the story of Paris and Helen's love for one another. In this adaption Brad Pitt plays the famous Achilles. I have to admit whilst reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, I did find it very difficult to picture another face for Achilles other than that of Brad Pitt, as I am a great lover of the Troy film, and have watched it many times over.
This book is different to any I have read previously, in a great way. It tells the story of Patroclus, an exile prince, the famous Achilles and their relationship with one another. In the film of Troy, Patroclus was said to be Achilles cousin- but I am guessing this is to make the story more entertaining for a varied audience. Never has there been a novel, telling the story of the Trojan War without Paris and Helen being main characters- after all they are the reason the war began.
The journey throughout Patroclus and Achilles life together is so exciting and beautifully written. Miller has a unique gift of taking Greek history and making it into a form in which people can enjoy and appreciate. The book is very difficult to put down, and even if you know the story of the Trojan war, you will not have read it like this. It is inspiring to say the least.
Taken from Patroclus view point, The Song of Achilles takes the reader throughout the mystical destiny that Achilles had to face at such a young age. For anyone who has an interest in mythology, or anyone with an interest in romance I would recommend this read to them all.
Comments
12th Jul 2012 (#)
very interesting page...thank you much...
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