The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: A Book Review
Genre: Epic Fantasy; LGBTQ+
This story was basically fanfiction toward The Illiad. While, granted I read The Illiad what seems like centuries ago, I would recommend reading Homer’s epic take over Miller’s. While The Song of Achilles had it’s high points, it focused on the love story of Achilles and Patroclus to the point that it seemed unnatural to the story. In the beginning of the story, the love seemed natural, but reading it felt as if reading a Harlequin Romance Novel to the extent that I felt uncomfortable. I have read LGBTQ+ love stories before even ones toward the Harlequin way of writing and only one (not including heterogeneous stories) have made me this uncomfortable to read.
Miller tried too hard to showcase the love story between the two friends. While The Illiad does hint at a homogeneous love between the two, Miller puts it to strain as she brings up the fact that some men in the era chose other men while also choosing women for their bed, but always slaves and suggesting the characters should or will grow out of it through other characters. It is hard to say after passing the middle of the book if Miller was defending homogeneous love and the LGBTQ+ community or if she was claiming that they would realize the error of their ways and should be ashamed of their feelings.
I have to say, however, that my favorite part of Miller’s story was when she had the character of Achilles dress up and pretend to be a woman for months in order to hide. The way she described his actions fully corresponded towards how epic Drag Queens can be. I hated when she ended the disguise when him feeling ashamed for wearing a dress as through that part it seemed as if he rocked the look. I would have much rather have him walk confidently, the best of the Greeks, unashamed to be who he is.
That is a reason why I chose to read this story. Achilles was called the best of the best; a demigod like no other. To hear of a story like The Song of Achilles, I came into the reading suspecting a high defense for the LGBTQ+ community showing that they should not be ashamed and to stand tall as the best where just like them. I am very disappointed that Miller decided to give a story in the completely other direction.
Fans of Greek Mythology would enjoy this story. Other books would include the Percy Jackson series (click here for book 1)
Plot: 07/10
Characters: 06/10
Writing: 07/10
Editor: 10/10
Total: 30/40
Title: The Song of Achilles
Author: Madeline Miller
Edition: Paperback (37696th Edition)
Published: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Ecco
ISBN: 978-0062060624
If you want to get it: Amazon; Barnes&Noble
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