The Song of Achilles : A Novel

Paperback

416 pages 

“The Song of Achilles is at once a scholar’s homage to the Iliad and a startlingly original work of art by an incredibly talented new novelist. Madeline Miller has given us her own fresh take on the Trojan War and its heroes. The result is a book I could not put down.” —Ann Patchett, author of Bel Canto and State of Wonder

The legend begins . . .

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia to be raised in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles. Yet despite their differences, the boys become steadfast companions whose bond deepens as they mature—much to the fury of Achilles’ mother, Thetis, a cruel sea goddess who despises mortals.

When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece, bound by blood and oath, must lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Soon, the Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

Built on the groundwork of the Iliad, Madeline Miller’s page-turning, profoundly moving, and blisteringly paced retelling of the epic Trojan War is a, “a scholar’s homage to the Iliad and a startlingly original work of art by an incredibly talented new novelist” (Donna Tart); “more poetic than almost any translation of Homer”(Guardian, UK); “she breaks new ground retelling one of the world’s oldest stories about men in love and war [and] extraordinary women” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).