Our book choice for June 2021 is The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles.
The Song of Achilles is a historical fantasy novel by Madeline Miller, first published in 2011. It is a retelling of the story of Achilles from the perspective of his lover, Patroclus. The novel is set in the 12th century BC during the Trojan War.
The novel begins with Patroclus, a young prince from Phthia, being sent to the court of Peleus, king of the Myrmidons, to be trained as a warrior. Patroclus is a weak and sickly child, and his father is disappointed in him. However, Peleus takes pity on Patroclus and agrees to train him.
Patroclus soon befriends Achilles, Peleus’s son. Achilles is a brilliant warrior, but he is also arrogant and withdrawn. Patroclus is drawn to Achilles’s strength and charisma, and the two boys become inseparable.
When the Trojan War breaks out, Achilles is eager to fight. Patroclus, however, is afraid of war and does not want to go. Achilles eventually convinces Patroclus to join him in battle, and the two boys set sail for Troy.
In Troy, Achilles quickly becomes one of the most feared warriors on the battlefield. Patroclus, however, is content to stay behind and help Achilles with his armor and weapons.
One day, Patroclus is captured by the Trojans. Achilles is furious, and he leads the Myrmidons in a rescue mission. The Myrmidons are victorious, and Patroclus is returned safely to Achilles.
However, Patroclus is traumatized by his experience in captivity. He begins to dream of war, and he becomes obsessed with proving himself on the battlefield.
One day, Achilles is injured in battle. Patroclus, unable to bear the thought of Achilles being defeated, puts on Achilles’s armor and leads the Myrmidons into battle.
Overall, The Song of Achilles is a beautifully written and moving novel that tells a powerful story of love, loss, and war. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance.
- The novel’s setting is vividly rendered, and the reader feels as if they are transported to the world of ancient Greece.
- The novel is set in the Bronze Age, and it draws on Greek mythology and history.
- The characters are complex and well-developed, and the reader can empathize with their struggles and triumphs.
- The novel’s themes of love, loss, and war are universal and timeless.
- The novel’s prose is lyrical and evocative, and it captures the beauty and brutality of the ancient world.
Discussions Questions for The Song of Achilles
- How did you making Patroclus the narrator affect your reaction to the book?
- Did you think Patroclus changed during the book?
- What do you think changed him? What about Achilles?
- If (as a teenager) you had been offered the choice of dying young and being famous forever or getting old and being forgotten… which would you choose?
- Was a consensual sexual relationship between men and women possible in the world of Song of Achilles?
- How was Pyrrhus different from or similar to Achilles?
- Is Thetis a nightmare mother? What did you think of her dilemma?
- Is Achilles cursed or blessed by his skill at killing?
- What do you think of the title? What is the song? And who is singing it?
- How did the ending change or reinforce the story that went before?
- To whom would you recommend the book?
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