MADELINE MILLER

 Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles, set in Ancient Greece, is a book that revolves around Patroclus, Achilles’s companion during the Trojan War. Achilles of Phthia is a famous hero from Homer’s Iliad, and Miller’s novel builds upon the world of the famous Greek epic. The novel begins with childhood of Achilles and Patroclus, and traces the bond that grew between, following their journey into adulthood as the Trojan War begins. The heart of the narrative lies in Miller’s depiction of the way Patroclus’s thoughts and perspectives mature with time as his bond with Achilles grows. 

Throughout the book, the reader finds Patroclus growing shrewder with his views and gaining self-confidence. At the beginning of the novel, Patroclus is portrayed as a timid and insecure boy, partially due to his overbearing father who spares no opportunity to belittle him. The novel also reveals his insecurities regarding his own lack of physical strength, which was counted as one of the deciding factors of masculine identity and formed the foundation of the hierarchical structure in Ancient Greece. This upbringing leads Patroclus to grow diffident and doubtful until he is banished to Phthia, which becomes a significant turning point in his journey as a character. As time passes, Patroclus grows into his own as a resolute and moral man, who is able to remain compassionate through all the hardships he experiences. 

At the same time, the novel also charts the considerable growth in Achilles’s character, introducing him as a rather naïve and innocent character. He is a character who receives frequent praise and is touted to be the best warrior. While he knows this, he initially can not fully understand the gravity of such veneration and praise. Miller repeatedly throws Achilles’ character in situations where he is faced with difficult choices that challenge his limited view of society, and thus, throughout the narrative, readers can see Achilles journey towards maturity, as he begins to grow disillusioned with the world around him. 

I was particularly drawn towards the bond between Achilles and Patroclus, especially how the boys ground each other in the novel and how the strength of each balances out the other’s weaknesses. Patroclus emerges as a truly unique character - one who wishes to inflict no harm at a time when violence was integrated into everyday life. Through his character, Miller challenges the idea of gaining glory from violence and makes readers wonder whether such fame is worth the consequences. The ending of the novel introduces a note of irony, highlighting the fact that for generations, we have celebrated the acts that Achilles committed during his brief period of grief and pain, rather than valuing the joyful moments that range throughout his life. Miller weaves emotions with great precision in her narration of the central journeys of Achilles and Patroclus, especially when she narrates how they are separated even in death, due to mere considerations of standing and prestige. I love this book for many reasons and have grown attached to the characters introduced throughout the novel due to the complexity, and the layers that surround each of them in terms of how they grow, develop and grieve as the story progresses.