The Song of Achilles: A Novel

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 Mar 6, 2012

Average rating: 8.07

2,876 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

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.
yammy
Oct 30, 2025
10/10 stars
genius to write an adaptation of the Iliad from Patroclus’ perspective. One of the greatest retellings of a classic story
Margie Pettersen
Oct 27, 2025
2/10 stars
Story of Patroclus, a exiled prince, and Achilles. I found it all a bit boring and confusing. I think I would have to know more about Greek mythology to be able to follow this story. Story of the love between two men and a bit on the Trojan war. DNF
Bam_trot
Oct 21, 2025
7/10 stars
There’s so much beauty in the soul that finds love. I had a hard time initially getting hooked because I was caught up in relating the names to greek historybut when I did boy did this have me in a chokehold.
Janet H
Oct 15, 2025
8/10 stars
Absolutely loved this modern retelling of the Iliad in novel form. A reminder of the foibles of hubris and the power of love. Recommended

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