Book Notes: The Song of Achilles
Hi, long time no post :’)
This year, I’m making it a goal for myself to read at least one book a month (the more, the better).
I have a bad habit of forgetting what I read, so I want to make the effort to follow up every reading with a blog post. I figured I would publicize my book notes in hopes to help any reader that’s been looking for a new book to read. I’ve personally never read anything like February’s read.
Let’s chat about The Song of Achilles.
Patroclus (left) and Achilles (right) — photo/art credits unknown (found on Pinterest)
What is it about?
Set in the Greek heroic age, The Song of Achilles follows Patroclus—son of King Menoitius—on his journey after being exiled to Phthia, where King Peleus and his son, Achilles, reside. Achilles soon takes Patroclus as his friend and companion to Mount Pelion, where their relationship further blossoms as the two grow to be well-trained in all necessities of survival by Chiron—the inventor of medicine and surgery. Their story continues through the infamous 10-year Trojan war, where Achilles leads his men to fight the Trojans as Aristos Achaion—the best of the Greeks—and Patroclus makes a new name for himself with his warmhearted character and all that he’s learned from Chiron.
How I Discovered It:
I’ve seen this book recommended by many people numerous times through social media. It took me forever to finally read it. I kept putting it off and now I wish I had read it sooner.
Thoughts:
This novel is so beautifully and intricately written. I found myself wishing that I had the ability to describe such simplicities with elegance.
Chiron is my favorite character. He is definitely the confidant in this novel as he mentors Patroclus and Achilles with his wisdom and knowledge. He truly cared for and taught them in a way that no other hero, immortal, or mortal character could ever. I read somewhere online that said Chiron liked to teach through opportunities, not lessons—this could not have been worded more perfectly. I was sad to hear when Patroclus and Achilles had to leave Mount Pelion—I didn’t want their time there to be over. They both thrived in character development on Mount Pelion as individuals and partners. I also love that he lives in a rose quartz cave.
I always strayed away from reading anything Greek mythology related because of my difficulty to comprehend some diction that falls under this genre. But, this novel turned out to be just fine :’) nothing to be scared of/nothing to shy away from (plus I want to improve my vocabulary through books anyway).
Miller gave me a new appreciation for Greek mythology and now I see why it attracts all the attention. This novel enriched Greek mythology for me and I feel more confident knowing I now have some basic knowledge and background to some of the most well-known Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and characters. This makes it less intimidating for me to read another work that falls under Greek mythology (anyone have any recommendations?).
I’ve never read about a love like how Miller wrote about Patroclus and Achilles. I hope that everyone gets to experience a love so beautiful like theirs. This also makes it the second novel I’ve ever read where two characters of the same sex fall in love with one another.
SPOILER ALERT—skip over this part if you plan on reading the novel: While Achilles had the role of Aristos Achaion, Patroclus was his softer half. Patroclus was the reason Achilles found joy in playing the lyre. Patroclus listened and encouraged him to indulge in this art. Patroclus had no fear of speaking too much, because Achilles showed that he was his song—his voice becoming music to his ears. Patroclus showed Achilles what it was like to be loved not for fame, but for his heart. The song of Achilles is Patroclus. He is his song, and Achilles had no longer had a way of playing it when Patroclus died. Thus, bringing Achilles left with only rage and the ability to kill in vengeance.
Who Would Like It?
Anybody who’s a sucker for a damn good love story. Anybody who has any interest in Greek mythology or wants a glimpse into life during the Greek age. Anybody with a wild imagination.
My Top 3 Quotes:
“Had she really thought I would not know him? I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”
“…I saw then how I had changed. I did not mind anymore that I lost when we raced and I lost when we swam out to the rocks and I lost when we tossed spears or skipped stones. For who can be ashamed to lose to such beauty? It was enough to watch him win, to see the soles of his feet flashing as they kicked up sand, or the rise and fall of his shoulders as he pulled through the salt. It was enough.”
“I am made of memories”
There are so many excerpts from this novel that tugged at my emotions, but if I put them in this post…it’d be way too long. It was hard to choose only three.
Date Finished: February 23, 2023
Thanks for tuning into this post!
I’d like to give credit to Ali Abdaal for his book notes templates and overall the inspiration to write and share my thoughts on books. If you’re looking for tips on how to remember what you read, I highly recommend watching Ali’s video here.
