The Song of Achilles

I liked how the main characters connected on a poetic level, how they treated loyalty, and how they fought for each other.

I must confess that the last chapters were the best. I knew Patroclus was meant to die on this story, but I felt connected with him. His death struck me hard.

As I said, I love how this story is wired, and I could read it again and again.

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Maybe one of those users who usually recommend books on Instagram. I liked the story of Troy and fell in love right away with this story taking around 10 years to be completed, so I gave it a try.

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The Song of Achilles is a masterpiece written by the author Madeline Miller throughout 10 years of search. I am not a fan of romantic novels, but this one is absolutely a poem to my eyes!

The story begins with Patroclus who is exiled by his father since he committed a crime in self-defense. He, as a son of a king, must be sent away to Peleus, where he met Achilles and felt in love with him.

The story is told through Patroclus' perspective and he started falling in love with Achilles, both boys who have protected each other since the first time they met. The love affair grows stronger as they are separated and Achilles is sent first to learn the art of war.

Both are trained by Chiron, a strong centaur, the wisest, who taught the art of war to Patroclus and Achilles. Chiron not only teaches them about war but also medicine. During this period is the first time Patroclus and Achilles have had a sexual encounter. They felt magic when their body finally connected to this level. They finally deepened their love-romantic relationship.

Thetis, Achille's mother, had already expressed her dislike for Patroclus. Everything is clear when she sent away Achilles without notifying Patroclus about his whereabouts.

At this point, months go by and Patroclus received from Achille's father the location of his son. He headed to Ithaca, where he found Achilles hidden by Thetis. Thetis is protecting his boy from war and the prophecy ahead. Achilles is found by Patroclus, but also found out that he got pregnant one of King Lycomedes' seven daughters, Deidamia.

Deidamia is a girl who is madly in love with Achilles, but soon Achilles stands beside Patroclus, his love is reserved for and only Patroclus. After some time, Deidamia is sent away and both boys are recruited to go to Troy and combat for "honor".

One of the things that both know is that Patroclus will die, this was mentioned several times by Thetis. The war of Troy takes several years and is where Achilles withdrew fighting for honor, started his revenge, and protected the soul of Patroclus.
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I don't want to spoil the ending, so I highly recommend you read this jewel 💎 of the book.

Quotes I highlighted from the book:

1. Exile might satisfy the anger of the living, but it did not appease the dead.

2. I will never leave him. It will be this, always, for as long as he will let me.

3. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature.”

4. IN THE DARKNESS, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out the sun.

5. When he died, all things swift and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.

6. I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet stuck the earth.

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