Song of Achilles

A New York Times Bestseller

“At once a scholar’s homage to The Iliad and startlingly original work of art….A book I could not put down.” —Ann Patchett, author of The Dutch House

A thrilling, profoundly moving, and utterly unique retelling of the legend of Achilles and the Trojan War from the bestselling author of Circe

A tale of gods, kings, immortal fame, and the human heart, The Song of Achilles is a dazzling literary feat that brilliantly reimagines Homer’s enduring masterwork, The Iliad. An action-packed adventure, an epic love story, a marvelously conceived and executed page-turner, Miller’s monumental debut novel has already earned resounding acclaim from some of contemporary fiction’s brightest lights—and fans of Mary Renault, Bernard Cornwell, Steven Pressfield, and Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome series will delight in this unforgettable journey back to ancient Greece in the Age of Heroes.

“A captivating retelling of The Iliad and events leading up to it through the point of view of Patroclus: it’s a hard book to put down, and any classicist will be enthralled by her characterisation of the goddess Thetis, which carries the true savagery and chill of antiquity.” — Donna Tartt, The Times

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Published Sep 20, 2011

Average rating: 8.09

3,246 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Cresta McGowan
Dec 25, 2025
4/10 stars
Honestly - so so boring. This isn't about Achillles, this is a sappy love story with a war thrown in. Ugh!
thenextgoodbook
Sep 04, 2025
8/10 stars
thenextgoodbook.com
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
372 pages

What’s it about?
In this retelling of "The Iliad" Madeline Miller reimagines the tale of Achilles through the eyes of his best friend Patroclus. Patroclus is an awkward young prince when he is stripped of his title and exiled from his homeland. He is sent to live in the small country of Phthia where he meets the truly remarkable young Prince Achilles. They forge a bond that will last throughout their lives.

What did it make me think about?
A good story can be retold forever.

Should I read it?
I really enjoyed "Circe" by Madeline Miller and promised myself I would get to this book as well. It took me a while but I finally read it. This is an adventure story, a love story, and a lesson in the Classics all at once. I would definitely recommend this book!

Quote-
"Who was he if not miraculous and radiant? Who was he if not destined for fame?"

If you liked this try-
​Circe by Madeline Miller
Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeymii
The Enchanted by Rene Denfield​
Zya The Book Dragon
Aug 02, 2025
4/10 stars
Good story. Similar to Circe where it kind of drags on a bit. But I enjoyed it. The ending is sad but typical for Greek mythology.
Kathleenprado
Mar 05, 2026
9/10 stars
"The Song of Achilles" is beautifully written and much more historically digestible than I expected. I loved reading this famous tale through the perspective of Achilles's great love, Patroclus. His view, which appears to be closest to the enigma that is half man, half god, proves beyond a doubt significant and is deeply intimate. Madeline Miller succeeds at pulling the heartstrings of the reader and does so graciously. I will continue to think about this book. Still processing this tragedy, though I can say with certainty that the writing has made a tremendous impact.
jayapapaya
Feb 11, 2026
8/10 stars
LOVED

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