Title: The Song of Achilles

Author: Madeline Miller

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine their bond blossoms into something deeper – despite the displeasure of Achilles’ mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.

I ate this story up and it consumed me! My heart strings are truly twanged!

I listened to the audio and was surprised that the narrator pronounced names differently to me and I wondered if I’d always said them wrong!

Patroclus early life broke my heart. But I guess it was lucky as he was exiled where Achilles was and they strike up a friendship and then more.

Patroclus and Achilles are beautiful together. Their bond! I was gleeful! But jeez this tore at my heartstrings! The rest of the story was tragic to listen to. That’s all I can say. You need to experience this.

The ending, that last paragraph made my heart soar.