The Song of Achilles - review and discussion
Dear reader,
I have always had an unexplained love for Greek Mythology, yet I never act much on this interest. I haven't read the Percy Jackson books or read up on the Demi-gods of the past world. However, everything I have learnt about Mythology or heard about through relations of mine that have also found the stories intriguing, I have always found highly fascinating. My interest in Religious Studies, a subject I take, tied with the pull of such a deep-rooted and strong belief system as shown in Greek history means I tend to jump at the settings of novels in battles such as Troy, the stories of Hero's such as Achilles or anywhere an anger struck God meddles in human affairs. Therefore, this book obviously caught my eye.
I instantly fell in love with the writing. Highly descriptive and deeply moving, Madeline Miller tells the story of such passion from a highly intimate view point. The setting changes quite frequently throughout the small book, yet the atmosphere is highly consistent and poetic.
My first of Madeline Millers novels, going in I had little knowledge and stunted expectations, both of which were shortly diminished as I found myself whisked away into this spun world. This novel could have very easily been twice the size and would have still been dependably beautiful in both story and style. Miller packs emotion and history into every scene, heart felt and exposed to the reader. It is so accessible, so easy to slip into- anyone could devour this book and adore it. This is even more impressive considering the nature of the story, how the characters felt so alive despite being written into stone for thousands of years. Through her writing, I believe Miller achieved the ambiguity of a historical piece whilst allowing a modern reader to re-learn the story with strong elements of romance and friendship that before were stones left unturned.
The New York Times commented on Millers book that 'you often feel as if this or that famous episode is being rapidly ticked off a list.' when discussing the pacing of the book, and the events it covers. I have to disagree with this, whilst the novel hastily covers events depicted in Achilles history told in hundreds of songs and poems and forms of art, the nature of the novel as a base YA romance, meaning by element, it has no obligation to burrow into any part of the characters history it feels irrelevant to depict. Miller clearly decided when writing this book the love between Patroclus and Achilles was the focus point in which she chose to document so beautifully, as it had not been before. Instead of, or in place of well written mythology that has already found its place amongst the history of our two main characters. I find this approach to the story what gives it star quality as well as distinction amongst authors such as Stephen Fry and even Rick Riordan.
The authors second book, Circe arrived on shelves at the start of 2018, went on to win the Goodreads choice award in its year of Publication. The book tells another tale of Greek legend, through the daughter of the Sun God Helios, Circe. A recent buzz around the Song of Achilles arised after the tide of Madeline's readers that expressed their love for the novel on Booktok, readers wait patiently for Madeline's third novel.
A brilliant book, one I very much regret not picking up sooner. I can't wait to see what Madeline's next exploration into the past will bring us. I believe thoroughly in this authors power to re-write history.
Until next time,
Issy.
