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Robyn asked this question about The Song of Achilles:
Would you recommend reading 'The Iliad' before or after this novel? Any reflections on how reading the two might enhance each other (or not)?
George Holly is right. I've seen a guy like Achilles. Next to unbeatable at (Society for Creative Anachronism) fighting; perfected the three-blocks juggling …moreHolly is right. I've seen a guy like Achilles. Next to unbeatable at (Society for Creative Anachronism) fighting; perfected the three-blocks juggling thing from scratch in part of an afternoon; made his own SCA garb as well as armor and rattan swords well; good-looking; etc. That didn't make the man perfect, any more than Miller makes Achilles perfect. And she doesn't make Patroclus blind to his lover's faults, either.

Anyway, having finished my argument with Frances, let me get to your actual question.

I think knowing the plot of the Illiad, whether you've read the original or not, makes it possible to appreciate Miller's cleverness in her retelling. Given that her Patroclus and Achilles are <spoiler>gay, not bi, why does Achilles blow up over Agamemnon taking Briseis? How does he have a son? Why do each of them lie with women?</spoiler> And so on.

Which she does make work very believably.(less)
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The Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author)
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