Themes & Content Warning:
Honour, pride, legacy, fame, love, war, violence, death, power, vengeance, gender roles, sexuality, political and social values and expectations, tradition, faith, friendship.
Synopsis:
Greece in the age of gods, kings and heroes. An awkward young prince, Patroclus is exiled from his father's kingdom and stripped of his royalty. He is sent to the court of King Peleus to be raised and join his army of 'fostered sons.'
Achilles, is a demigod - the golden son of sea goddess Thetis and King Peleus. His superhuman strength and extraordinary beauty make him a well loved Prince of Phthia. By legend and prophecy he is the greatest Greek warrior to walk the earth.
Despite their differences, Achilles befriends Patroclus and the two grow together learning the art of war and medicine. Over the years they forge an inseparable bond and stand against Thetis' wrath. But when Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in Troy to fulfil his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel fates will test them both as never before in the years to follow.
Review:
I have been indecisive about reading this book for months. I've never read any Greek mythology before but seeing the endless raving reviews and featured posts online it just added to my curiosity, so I dove in to see what the hype was about.
The story is a retelling of epic poem The Iliad by Homer. It is told from Patroclus' point of view from beginning to end, Achilles closest friend and 'most beloved.' Central to the story is the relationship between the two and how they change as people over the years especially through the Trojan war. The book is really easy to read and has a lot of information on ancient Greek culture and literature. If like me, you aren't familiar with the original tale you'll find yourself immersed into a whole new world of gods, selfish, arrogant kings and prolonged, bloody war. The opening chapters are mostly character development but there is still a lot happening in the plot at the same time. There is a lot of pain and brutality in this book but there is also immeasurable love.
There are multiple characters and the story moves very quickly through the years. I had to flick back through the pages to remind myself of who the characters were a couple of times before settling with them all. The characters themselves were all extremely well-written in their personas, thoughts and behaviours, each with their own strengths and flaws. Nonetheless, there were still a particular few characters that I just couldn't stand (Agamemnon, Deidamia, Hector, Thetis, Pyrhuss... UGHH). Saying this, their stories were extremely captivating and I was engrossed in every single life. I loved how Madeline Miller made these mythical beings real and human with their thoughts and feelings in her version of events. I loved the mystical element to the book with the inclusion of the prophecy because it had me conflicted on whether the prophecy would be true and how it would be fulfilled. There were some gaps in time during which a lot happens but we're brought up to date with Patroclus as he finds out, which I thought was really impactful.
There are a lot of controversial issues addressed in this book from the mistreatment of women, enslavement, homophobia, rape and murder. It goes against a lot of stereotypes, there is no filter around these topics in their truth. The ugliness of power and war is brought to the front. There are some very vivid descriptions of physical violence and death during and outside of the war, but this is a huge part of the story and necessary. I felt like I was transported into the beautiful landscapes and seas described and also following Patroclus on the battlefield.
Like most other readers, I can't describe how much I love the friendship and passion in this book. It's easily one of the best I've ever read. It was just so effortless, wholesome and believable. The words and writing are on another level, extremely relatable, honest and emotive. How can such simple sentences be so deep and impactful? The last two thirds of the book was an absolute roller coaster, there was so much battle, sacrifice and suffering. After Achilles pride and desire for fame invades him, I didn't know how it would end and it was absolutely not what I expected. Knowing the soul connection between Patroclus and Achilles made Achilles grief and vengeance even more moving. I just wanted them to be safe and happy. I literally can't stop thinking about it!
True to its source the book reads like a poem and has a serene feel despite its dark nature.
This book was definitely out of my comfort genre but I'm so glad I experienced it - truly a masterpiece and more then lives up to the hype. If you're not intrigued by the plot but you appreciate good writing and memorable quotes, I would highly recommend that you read this.
Rating:
5/5
Favourite Quotes:
'I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.'
'I will never leave him. It will be this, always, for as long as he will let me.'
'No man is worth more than another, wherever he is from.'
'I am made of memories.'
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