The Song of Achilles: A Book Review

20th of October 2025

I’m ecstatic to be writing my first book review. It entails a terrific time for me and an insightful venture for you. This one is incredibly precious to me; not only because it’s the first, but also because it’s a spellbinding piece of literature.

You might have heard of Madeline Miller’s: ‘The Song of Achilles.” If you have heard of it, this is your motivation to give it a go. And if you have read it, I am equally as heartbroken and euphoric for you.

Now, you might be wondering why I praise this novel so highly.
Well, in short, if you turn to certain pages in my personal copy you will find either tear stains or post it notes with the phrase “loved this” or a heart drawn on.
It’s a self reminder that certain parts of the book made me absolutely sunny and blissful.

The Song of Achilles has gained outstanding achievements, with the most notable being the 2012 Women’s Prize for Fiction.

For those who have not heard of The Song of Achilles at all, or are wondering, some context:

The Iliad, credited to Homer, stands as the core text and basic plot of The Song of Achilles. It is an 8th century epic poem, originally composed in the ancient dialect of Homeric Greek.

The Iliad encapsulates the final year of the Trojan War, a legendary conflict between the Achaeans and the city of Troy. Achilles and Patroclus are central to the plot, cultivating a significantly deep bond which is the primary motive for Achilles’ drastic actions.

The Song of Achilles. This book kept me up most nights staining the pages with my tears. I absolutely devoured this story.
It’s a hauntingly beautiful piece of work; and I say “piece of work,” because it had me gripping my perch as if I were amidst a tempestuous tropical storm.

The novel starts off with our two protagonists as children, slowly delving further; taking us with them into their teenhood, then adulthood.
We get moments that move slow and fast to admire. Sometimes raucous, sometimes mellow.

One thing I heavily desire in romance novels is the chemistry and harmony within a relationship. In The Song of Achilles, their chemistry was second to none.
Written with such heavy emotion, true feel, care, and nuance truly set the standard, notably quite early on too.

Miller’s extensive vocabulary and unbelievable writing proficiency, combined with her exceptional ability to intertwine threads of emotion into what she writes transformed this mythological retelling into an absolute whirlwind of ardor and devotion.

Something that I wish was featured near the end of The Song of Achilles is a particular scene which features in the Iliad; Thetis’ act of anointing Patroclus with ambrosia as a form of her kindness and protection (The Iliad, 19.38–39).
The inclusion of this act would’ve given us a different perspective on Thetis, proving that she isn’t inherently tyrannical and bitter; which is how she was portrayed in The Song of Achilles.

It’s a stunning piece of literature, and I’d recommend it to anyone who is fond of Greek Mythology, literature surrounding heroes of the past with a good dash of romance (the agonising and doomed love affair kind), sublimely written prose, or someone who enjoyed the Iliad, and desires a new perspective on the incredible relationship between Achilles and Patroclus.