The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller -- Restarting August 15th 2025

[Brinley]

Shreya wrote: "Chapter 10
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ That's all I know about Achilles to, other than that the only place he could be injured at was his heel. (I think) this is pretty interesting so far, I was worried when I was starting it. I just read Circe by the same author, and hated it, so I was worried about this one, but this one seems to be better (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

Up to Chapter 13

(view spoiler)[ I struggle with this authors writing, it confuses me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Achilles supposedly got that girl pregnant? It seems a bit too soon for her to know right? I thought they only slept together once... and was Achilles claiming he was married to Patroclus? I'm sorry, that chapter got confusing, I'm not knowledgeable on Greek mythology at all.

Are you a fan of the main relationship? I'm not the biggest fan, it doesn't seem like there's much chemistry or draw, kind of like insta-love (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

Up to chapter 27

(view spoiler)[I'm still really enjoying this, I like Patroclus as a character. I also really like Brisius, and the way he saved all of the women. That really spoke to me. I can't believe people Achilles was just going to let the king rape her, all so that he could kill him. I like this book, but I do find it hard to read the utter flippancy that the abuse towards women is treated with. I understand it's because this is Greek mythology, but it's still hard for me to read (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

(view spoiler)[ Is this being told by a dead body now? I've read a lot, yet never encountered that one. I was really hoping Patroclus would live, I liked his character. Good on Brisius for putting Achilles in his place, he completely deserved that (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[The story is going pretty slow so far but it seems to be getting more exciting so I hope it picks up it's pace. I really like Greek mythology but this book hasn't really been as good as I was hoping it would be. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Chapter 28
(view spoiler)[I really hate Achilles at this point. I really want Patroclus to leave him for the other women. Achilles really needs to get over his pride and help the entire army and doesn't deserve Patroclus. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Finished
(view spoiler)[The end of the book picked up its pace and got a little bit more exciting. I hate tragic ending but I probably should have guesses that this would be one considering that this is about Greek mythology. I was really hoping Patroclus would live because I liked him. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Chapter 10
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah I think you are right. I actually liked Circe but not really this one. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Brinley wrote: "Up to Chapter 13

I struggle with this authors writing, it confuses me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Achilles supposedly got that girl pregnant? It seems a bit too soon for her to know right? I th..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah that entire situation was a little confusing. I think they slept together twice and its been three months since he has been gone so maybe its too soon? Idk. So I think that since he was pretending to be a girl so he was claiming to be married to Patroclus which got the girl mad because she was actually married to him.

I didn't really like them together that much. I feel like Patroclus is too good for Achilles. Their entire relationship was a bit insta-love which I am also not really a big fan of. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Brinley wrote: "Up to chapter 27

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I really like Brisius. I think she might be my favorite character in the book along with Patroclus. Yeah I get the reasoning behind why women are treated the way they are in the book but it was hard to get through at times. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Brinley wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The entire perspective of the book was interesting. Pretty much always the narrator of the book is the main character or the most important person and even have a perspective from the main character. Patroclus is not as famous of Achilles or important to the other characters in the book so it was interesting to see the perspective of someone more on the sidelines than in the middle of the all of the action.

I think the rest of the book is continued from the perspective of his spirit from his ashes. Not entirely sure though. (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Chapter 10
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

That's weird, I hated Circe, but liked this one

[Brinley]

Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Up to Chapter 13

I struggle with this authors writing, it confuses me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Achilles supposedly got that girl pregnant? It seems a bit too soon for her to ..."

(view spoiler)[ Their relationship was definitely insta love, from the first time Patroclus saw him he was infatuated. I think the time skips actually hindered the book in that the relationship felt super rushed, it could've been done much better (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

The entire perspective of the book was interesting. Pretty much always the narrator of the book is the main character or the most important person and even have..."

(view spoiler)[I liked the way this one was told by a character less known by history. I think it allowed the author more freedom, and made it more interesting. It's weird that Achilles was killed, I could've sworn the phrase Achilles heel was inspire do by him only being ableist to be killed on his heel, but I may be wrong.

I think you're right about the spirit of the ashes part, it was just kind of weird. Definitely was a first though! (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

The entire perspective of the book was interesting. Pretty much always the narrator of the book is the main character or the most important perso..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah I could have sworn that he was dipped in a river from the underworld and to make sure that he wouldn't fall in his mother held his heel making that one part of him the only place that he could be killed. Pretty sure thats where they got the phrase from. I also thing he was killed by someone shooting an arrow so maybe the author choose to make it go through his hear for dramatic affect? (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

The entire perspective of the book was interesting. Pretty much always the narrator of the book is the main character or the most..."

(view spoiler)[I have the same recollections as you. It is weird that the author would choose to ignore such an infamous part of the legend, but it wing for dramatic affect makes sense. Besides, how exactly would you shoot someone in the heel? (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

The entire perspective of the book was interesting. Pretty much always the narrator of the book is the main charac..."

(view spoiler)[At one point of the arrow flight it was described as it
was tilting downward or something similar which made me think it would hit his heel. If we are remembering the story right I think it was a bad choice on the authors choice to change the story up as it is a pretty big part of his legend. (hide spoiler)]

[Brinley]

Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

The entire perspective of the book was interesting. Pretty much always the narrator of the book is..."

(view spoiler)[ Yah, it was a riskier choice to change it so completely, but I actually preferred it. Watching him get hit in the heart would've motivated the men in the battlefield much more than watching him get hit in the heel and die, so it makes sense. It also really added that element of dramatiscm as you mentioned. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "Shreya wrote: "Brinley wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

The entire perspective of the book was interesting. Pretty much always the narrator..."

Yeah true

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting July 13th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Ch 1-11 (view spoiler)[It’s nice that we were able to see these two grow up together. It’s unfortunate the circumstances that brought the hero to live in the palace with Achilles, but for now it seems that was best for both of them. But now if Achilles goes off to war, I don’t think he’ll be going alone... Worried there’s gonna be some tragic end (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Ch. 12-16 (view spoiler)[ Seems like things are taking more turns than I expected. I like that Achilles stands up for Patroclus  and is not ashamed of him or their relationship. I was shocked when his mother stole him away and even more surprised when Patroclus finds him, he's married and with a baby on the way. What an all around awkward situation particularly with Achilles mother. I should have known eventually fate would still bring Achilles to Troy even if it means his death. I'm not ready for that! (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Ch. 17-26 (view spoiler)[Wow I am insanely proud of Patroclus going after Agamemnon to get back his friend. It's crazy that a woman is behind almost all the squabbles these people are having. And now Patroclus has gone to Agamemnon essentially betraying Achilles. Ugh the drama, but I can see both sides and it's hard really to say who's in the wrong. It's unfortunate they're even there at Troy for years now with nothing to show for it.  (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Finished (view spoiler)[Well holy shit, I never saw this end coming. My God Achilles son is absolutely disgusting and pure evil. I don't understand how suddenly he was able to take down Troy and destroy them all after all these years out of nowhere, when they had the help and support of Apollo who was protecting them and helped kill Achilles. To think all this is because of one man's pride. Over ten years men warred and died over Menelaus's wife who chose to leave him. Shocked that literally everyone died, more tragic than I expected, I thought I was ready for all this death but I was NOT. Really though if they didn't put Achilles and Patroclus ashes together I was going to be livid, at least they can be together in death :( Surprised beyond belief that Achilles mother is the only one who would grant his lasrt wish. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 1-11 [spoilers removed]"

Yes (view spoiler)[ I like seeing them grow close as they get older. Now they get together romantically and it seems like one or both will go off to war (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 11 (view spoiler)[ I feel bad for Patroclus that an accident got him banished, plus he never had loving parents. But he has Achilles and I like that their friendship has grown to be more (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch. 12-16 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I love that Achilles isn't embarrassed of loving Patroclus. It's sweet (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 16 (view spoiler)[ I was not happy that Achilles married that girl and got her pregnant. Then Patroclus slept with her too, so weird!!

Now we have a prophecy and I'm just waiting for Achilles to die, whah! :'( (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch. 17-26 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes, loving someone doesn't mean you have to go along with everything they say, especially if it's wrong. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 26 (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Patroclus saved his friend, even if it meant going again Achilles. Achilles is losing himself when he goes to see his mom, she's twisting him.
I can't believe they've been fighting for like 10 years! At a certain point they should have abandoned it. Just because a lady left her husband!!

I'm so dreading what's coming, I know Achilles will die and I can't take it (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Aly wrote: "ch 16 I was not happy that Achilles married that girl and got her pregnant. Then Patroclus slept with her too, so weird!!

Now we have a prophecy and I'm just waiting for Achilles to die, whah! :'( "

(view spoiler)[OMG yes I forgot abut that. So totally weird that happened. I wasn't really too happy with Achilles being so flippant about it and basically saying, well my dad told me to, so?!?!

And then Patroclus slept with her too and it never got touched on again. Seemed pretty pointless if u ask me, at least adding Patroclus into the mix because he never even tells Achilles. I mean good for him he got with a girl, a crazy one to boot lol (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Aly wrote: "ch 26 I'm glad Patroclus saved his friend, even if it meant going again Achilles. Achilles is losing himself when he goes to see his mom, she's twisting him.
I can't believe they've been fighting..."

Right!!! Ten years, WTF so crazy. Especially since basically all their 20's was spent there smh

[Aly]

finished (view spoiler)[ I knew Achilles would die, but seeing him broken because Patroclus died was awful. And then Patroclus wasn't at rest. I'm really surprised that Achilles' mom is the one to unite their ashes, but I'm so happy she did. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I cried at the ending! (view spoiler)[ I wasn't thinking about Patroclus dying! And yes, Achilles' son turned out horrible and I'm glad he was killed at the end.
If their ashes weren't reunited, this would have gotten 1 star for ruining my life lol (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Aly wrote: "ch 16 I was not happy that Achilles married that girl and got her pregnant. Then Patroclus slept with her too, so weird!!

Now we have a prophecy and I'm just waiting for Achilles to d..."

Yes! Weird thing to have in there

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Aly wrote: "finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[His mom moving the ashes To be with Achilles shocked the shit out of me lol. So glad she did though even if he had to beg. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Aly wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I cried at the ending! I wasn't thinking about Patroclus dying! And yes, Achilles' son turned out horrible and I'm glad he was killed at the end..."

😂😂😂😂🤣 (view spoiler)[I agree. I’d have been livid lmao Them both dying was devastating especially Patroclus since I was prepared for only it to be Achilles. I thought Patroclus would end up living with his friend (can’t remember her name) after Achilles died-maybe marrying her. Not that he’d die as well 😭 But yeah wow the ending overall, like Achilles son was insane. Glad it turned around for u even if it was a bit of a tearjerker. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

That's what I thought would happen too

[Mandy]

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Date changed. Restarting November 18th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Evelyn]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[I like this so far! I love the writing style and both Achilles and Patroclus have been very interesting so far. I also really like how this story is following them grow up and I can see a lot of character development happening later on. (hide spoiler)]

[Mandy]

I'm starting on this one now!

[Mandy]

Ch 7: (view spoiler)[I'm kinda going into this already knowing very broadly how it's going to end because mythology, but this is very captivating. I recently read Circe and now realise that Madeline Miller has a very distinctive, simplistic style of writing that's also very easy to read. Although I couldn't help feeling like the early chapters about Patroclus's childhood sounded quite similar to Circe's. (hide spoiler)]

[Evelyn]

Mandy wrote: "Ch 7: [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ Yes!! I love the authors writing style. It's so simplistic, but at the same time it's also very descriptive. I haven't read Circe yet so I can't compare them and the only Greek mythology books I've read are the Percy Jackson series so I don't really know how it's going to end, but I've heard it's quite sad. (hide spoiler)]

[Mandy]

Evelyn wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Ch 7: [spoilers removed]"
[spoilers removed]"

I only know the basics of what's going to happen from the mythology (of which I only know very superficially). Won't spoil it though :P But yes, the author's writing style is quite suitable for a mythological retelling tbh, it's got a folksong tone to it.

Ch 13: (view spoiler)[I can't believe Patroclus slept with Deidameia... that was super weird and unnecessary and out of character. Why would you sleep with someone out of pity? And plus this is your lover's wife, and the mother of his child? Weird. I kinda feel like this must have some sort of ramification later on in the story but if it doesn't, I'm going to be really annoyed at this unnecessary plot element. (hide spoiler)]

[Mandy]

Ch 24: (view spoiler)[The anticipation is killing me. We all know what's going to happen to Achilles in the end... I like the little touches of Patroclus kinda-sorta participating in the battle but not really, and how they tried to take in as many slave girls as they could to spare them from the other men. I really need to read up more on the actual mythology. (hide spoiler)]

[Mandy]

And I'm done with this book! I feel like I either didn't know enough about the mythology in the first place, or Miller had respun it enough that the ending managed to catch me by surprise ((view spoiler)[not of the fact that Achilles would die, but that Patroclus would die before him, and that Achilles would be struck through the chest - I thought I recalled that he was struck at the heels, hence the famous phrase (hide spoiler)]).

Anyway, this was a 3.5-4 star book for me. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Evelyn]

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[ So now Achilles is going to Troy to fight in the war and Patroclus is following him. Patroclus says he doesn't plan to live after Achilles dies :(. I think them two are cute, but if Achilles is the only reason Patroclus wants to live... I don't feel good about that.
And I actually feel really bad for Deidameia. I don't think it was her fault at all, she's now lost her "husband" and her baby once he is born. (hide spoiler)]

[Evelyn]

Chapter 28
(view spoiler)[ *sigh* Oh, Achilles' pride. I was really surprised to see him let Agamemnon take Briseis. Just so he would be honoured like a god? It doesn't seem like something he would do, but clearly I was wrong. Hopefully no more gods curse their camp. (hide spoiler)]

[Evelyn]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ ohh they both died :(. At least they have each other again. I still hate that Achilles' pride essentially caused Patroclus' death, but it was in the prophecy I guess... I heard about people feeling really emotional at the end, and honestly, I didn't really feel that. Still a good book though! I'm actually most upset about Briseis' death (hide spoiler)]

[Evelyn]

Mandy wrote: "And I'm done with this book! I feel like I either didn't know enough about the mythology in the first place, or Miller had respun it enough that the ending managed to catch me by surprise ([spoiler..."
(view spoiler)[ Me too!! I knew about Achilles Heel and was surprised when he was killed by a spear striking his back, I thought the only place he could die from was his heel, but I guess not!

update: I actually just read the Achilles Heel wasn't actually part of the original Iliad so that's cool! (hide spoiler)]