The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – A Love Story Retold | Rite of Fancy Book Review

Achilles and Patroclus, a love story, told in Troy.

A short summary:

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller retells the Iliad through the eyes of Patroclus, whose deep bond with Achilles transforms from friendship into love. 

As they train under Chiron, grow into warriors, and march toward Troy, the story unfolds with a haunting beauty that reimagines myth as something profoundly human.
Miller breathes new life into Homer’s tale, capturing the cost of glory, the ache of love, and the inevitability of fate.

My favorite Madeline Miller quote from the book:

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

- Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles

Questions to ponder while reading The Song of Achilles:

Have you ever read the Iliad?

What is mercy?

My review of The Song of Achilles:

This novel stayed with me long after the final page.

Miller’s lyrical prose stays true to the heart of the original myth while giving Patroclus and Achilles voices rich with emotion and vulnerability. I found myself completely absorbed in the story, swept up in its tenderness and tragedy.

It’s a powerful reminder of why mythology endures: these are the stories that never stop being true, even thousands of years later.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

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