The Song of Achilles: A Novel (P.S.)

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

416 pages

Average rating: 8.1

3,298 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 an emotionally powerful, beautifully written retelling of Greek mythology, praised for Madeline Miller’s lyrical...

Karla
Apr 10, 2026
10/10 stars
Wow. I don’t know why it took me so long to read this beautiful piece of art.
My heart is shattered.
This is a love story like no other, it was painfully tragic, but oh my goodness I haven’t felt such joy and grief reading a book like I have with this one. 10 stars are the way around
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!
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​
_sewerwolf_
Apr 08, 2026
10/10 stars
Genuinely the best book I’ve ever read. This book completely lives up to its hype, and well beyond it. Changed my brain chemistry. I’m definitely going to reread this a thousand times over

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