More Like Song of My Tears

By Sarah K.

The Song of Achilles is an adaptive novel. Written by Madeline Miller, it takes the story of the Iliad, the Trojan War, and Achilles in particular and retells it from the perspective of Patroclus, Achilles friend. Patroclus was the son of a king, but was exiled when he accidently caused the death of another boy. He was sent to Phtia, where the king Peleus took in boys. Patroclus became close friends with Peleus's son Achilles and when Achilles was sent to train on Mount Pelion Patroclus went with him.

Achilles was said to be the greatest warrior in all of Greece, so when Helen, the wife of the king of Sparta, was stolen by Paris of Troy, Achilles was expected to help fight to get her back. Patroclus was also expected but that was because when he was younger he had made a deal with other suitors of Helen that they would all help if anything were to happen to her. They tried to avoid it at first, but eventually they really had no choice but to go to Troy. When a prophecy came about from Thetis, Achilles mom, and a goddess, that Achilles was going to die in Troy Patroclus was devastated. He tried his hardest to make sure that never came to pass.

            Song of Achilles was an amazing book. The first person perspective from a character we didn't get much of a view from in the actual Iliad is different and makes the old story refreshing. It brings it back in a much more easily understandable way. It's also nice because you don't have to have read the Iliad to understand it at all, it stand perfectly well on it's own. The writing itself is amazing, the description and how she writes the way Patroclus thinks are all great parts of the novel. It follows the Iliad to a T, but also gives you a new story.

            This is a great book for people who have read, and liked, the Iliad. Or even just for people who like Greek mythology. It's also a perfect book for people who like to be emotionally scarred by books. So if you're either of those things, this book is for you. You can find it at libraries or bookstores or even on this magical thing called the internet.