The Song of Achilles: A Novel

By Madeline Miller

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 Aug 28, 2012

384 pages

Average rating: 8.11

3,528 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *The Song of Achilles* is a beautifully written, emotionally intense retelling of Greek mythology, praised for Madeline Miller’s lyrical p...

msafiya
May 25, 2026
8/10 stars
“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 of the sun.” I read The Song of Achilles after Circe, and it was better. I loved the emotional intensity and the beautiful way Achilles and Patroclus’s journey unfolds. Patroclus was the standout character for me. He’s sensitive, thoughtful, and full of emotional depth. His kindness, compassion, protectiveness, and unwavering devotion made him impossible not to love. What made this story so powerful was its portrayal of love—how Patroclus saw Achilles, how their bond slowly deepened, and how that love endured through everything they faced. It felt genuine, layered, and utterly heartbreaking in the best possible way. The ending brought me to tears. It was tragic, but beautifully so. I’d absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys emotionally rich stories about love, sacrifice, loyalty, and the kind of unconditional devotion that grows from friendship into something unforgettable.
msafiya
Apr 21, 2026
9/10 stars
I read The Song of Achilles after Circe and it was just as good if not better! I loved the emotional intensity and the vivid way Achilles and Patroclus’s journey unfolds. Patroclus stood out to me the most he’s such a sensitive, thoughtful character with incredible emotional depth. He’s caring, nurturing, protective and deeply devoted to the people around him. What made this story so powerful was the way love was portrayed how he saw Achilles, how their bond grew and how it carried through everything they faced. It felt genuine, layered,m and heartbreaking in the best way. I cried at the end. It’s tragic but beautifully so. I’d absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys stories about deep romance, sacrifice, and unconditional love that evolves from friendship into something more.
ShuaSaid
Apr 11, 2026
7/10 stars
Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles is, without a doubt, one of the most beautifully written explorations of a genuine relationship I’ve ever encountered. The prose is lyrical, and the emotional core of Patroclus and Achilles is handled with such a delicate touch that you can’t help but be swept up in their tragedy. However, because I tend to gravitate toward high-fantasy epics with dense world-building and heavy lore, I’m landing at a 4-star rating. While the writing is stunning, I found that the narrative prioritized the romance over the kind of thematic depth or complex political maneuvering I usually look for in my favorite reads. I can absolutely see why readers who prioritize emotional resonance and character-driven prose view this as a 5-star masterpiece, and I truly appreciate it fo the beautiful, accessible entry point into Greek mythology that it is.
Mrs Mayo
Apr 02, 2026
7/10 stars
I appreciated the various depictions of loyalty amid conflict and chaos.
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!

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