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The Song of Achilles
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Publisher's Summary
Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia. Here he is just another unwanted boy living in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles. Yet one day, Achilles takes the shamed prince under his wing. As they grow into young men, their bond blossoms into something far deeper – despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows Achilles into war, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they have learned.
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What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
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5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars19
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5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars18
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4 Stars3
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5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars17
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4 Stars3
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nithun Sridhar
- 16-03-19
Moving and Cute
This book is a unique experience. The writing style is simple and the story is not exactly an exact recreation of the illiad. however it is by far one of the most beautiful tellings of the love that can blossom in face of adversity. That true strength can be found in healing and that the true best of is isn't the greatest warrior but one who cares for all
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shan KV
- 14-09-19
Touching..captivating
loved it. Though the end is well known..Miller's way of portraying it makes it linger in our minds even way after finishing the book..Patroclus rises above Achilles in this love story
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rajbala Rathod
- 17-08-19
Loved every second of it.
This is so far one of the sweetest, deepest love story I've read in a long time. It has joy, pain, love, longing, sacrifice, remorse, the heart to do the right thing, fear, and what not. All spectrum of human emotions... Filled with warmth. And naratted so beautifully too.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Kamakshi Balasubramanian
- 17-03-19
charming writing
This is exactly the sort of novel I could never read. Not having much of a plot or deep characters, such a novel would tire me. Listening to the audio version was a good option. The expressive language in the descriprive passages came through dramatically in Thorpe's reading. This is my third audible book. I am certainly feeling inclined to have a book handy for quiet listening, when the lights are out.but I am not ready to sleep.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tejas Kulkarni
- 16-01-19
beautiful
I have already loved the book and listening it on Audible was an amazing experience. excellent audiobook.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Silindiwe
- 28-09-18
Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful
I have just finished listening to it and I am going to start listening to it all over again RIGHT AWAY! Oh so beautiful, my heart still hurts but I don't I care I am going to listen to it again.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 11-03-19
A fun story
I’m not one who enjoys sex and swearing in books and have only marked this down because of the sex.
It was a different take on the Achilles story. I wasn’t expecting the homosexual relationship. But it was well written and overall I would say I enjoyed it.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 29-07-18
Shallow and self conscious
Patroclus as a dim, passive, shallow slugabed. Homoerotic soft porn that doesn't have the courage of its convictions. No character development whatsoever.
If this won a prize, what on earth came second?
Homer's story remains brilliant and complex. The rest of this is dreadful.
0 of 11 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- mrs
- United Kingdom
- 07-04-13
gripping and beautiful
This is so well written and such a gripping story it is worth getting. Has made me laugh and cry! The narration is clear and easy to get into. Though I am not sure the plot is everyone's cup of tea if you are even vaguely interested give it a go
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 23-12-12
excellent
Despite this book centering around male characters, as a woman I was able to relate to them and the main themes in the book. The story was thrilling and enjoyable, and the language well chosen in conveying the emotional content. I would highly recommend this read, and the narration was excellent.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amy
- 07-07-16
Better than anything
Would you consider the audio edition of The Song of Achilles to be better than the print version?
I was worried that this version wouldn't hold it's own against the book, having already read it and created what the characters look and sound like in my head but this was just amazing. The voice of David Thorpe sounds as young as I imagined Patroclus to sound and it did this amazing and sometimes very emotional book the justice that it deserved. One isn't better than each other, they accompany each other perfectly
Who was your favorite character and why?
Choosing a favourite character in a book is like asking a mother to choose her favourite child. They all have their moments and they all have their flaws. Patroclus, as the narrator, gives you his side of all events but can be seen to be childish and naive at some points however he does grow a lot when they are stuck in Troy. Achilles can be seen to be big headed and almost too sure of himself but he has such a strong sense of humanity that, as the book progresses and you find out his fate, you just want to almost pluck him out of the book and protect him. If I did truly have to pick one it would be Chiron. He teaches the two men when they are only boys and gives them almost a sense of normalcy that neither experienced before they stayed with him and never experienced again once they left. He helped them grow into young men and thought Achilles how to be properly human, instead of just a Prince and the Son of a Sea Nymph.
What does David Thorpe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The emotion. Obviously when you read a book you feel the emotions of the characters as you read on but the voice of David Thorpe was heart wrenching at some point, especially emotional parts of the story. He added another depth to the original print book that I'm glad I haven't missed out on.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Their first meeting, their first kiss. Patroclus and Achilles first anything. Reading The Iliad along side this audiobook has really helped me add in anything that is missing and understand the characters as well as adding an element to the original epic that was only an undertone before. The ending always moves me because of how it's written but I won't say anymore so not to spoil it for any first time readers.
Any additional comments?
Even if you don't know the story of The Iliad I would really recommend this book, the way it is written and read is just amazing, something no one should miss out on.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- John
- 13-09-12
Astonishing.
I was hoping for good writing. I found it. This book is lyrical and yet direct, astonishingly beautiful and well read too. It is also a work of great imagination throughout; the last scenes of war and loss are so rich with depth and with sadness that I am in Ms Miller's debt... she has enriched me.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Nadia
- 19-01-16
Greek myth re-told
Where does The Song of Achilles rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I wouldn't list it among my favourites, but it's a good book.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Song of Achilles?
The first romance scene between Achilles and his lover.
What about David Thorpe’s performance did you like?
He puts emotion into his reading.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Same as the book.
Any additional comments?
This is the siege of Troy as seen through the eyes of Patroclas, Achilles/s lover and companion. The author also gives us a fascinating glimpse into their early lives. I'd have liked more details about the physical relationship. That could have been more powerful, but Achilles is painted as a flawed man, perhaps his redeeming feature, his love for Patroclas. Patroclas is brave and loyal and in my opinion, the true hero of the book.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Nakul
- 06-08-12
Very good
I recommend this one warmly: I like what Miller does with Homer's story very much. Despite being a tiny bit suspicious about any attempt to read modern sexual categories into a world where they do not belong, I was won over completely by her telling of the love story: tender but not mawkish, and the scenes of lovemaking don't for a minute seem out of place. Thorpe is a good reader for the most part (his Patroclus stutters more than is necessary, and he mispronounces Iphigenia...), but the voice he gives Odysseus is very good indeed.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- London, United Kingdom
- 05-03-16
Brilliant
A fantastic story, told simply and beautifully read. Well worth a listen - you won't regret it :)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SpeccieSeccie
- Edinburgh
- 31-08-15
Wonderful retelling of the story of Achilles
Beautiful tale of the Greek hero and the siege of Troy, told by Patroclus Achilles' lover. The reading is sensitive and warm. Absolute perfection.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sophie
- West Sussex, England
- 28-08-15
Spellbinding!
I loved everything about is book: the romance, the history, the betrayal, the love, the beautiful writing. It's one I'll be rereading over and over again.
David Thorpe's narration does justice to the characters and the story with a distinct voice for each character. Perfect!
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Linn
- Brighton, United Kingdom
- 06-06-16
Beautiful all the way
Though the Antique period has always fascinated me, I'm not one for historical fiction usually. But I don't regret picking up this book. I was hooked from the start and David Thorpe, a narrator I already like, did a very good job. This is one of the most beautiful love stories I've read and a lovely fictional account of the Trojan war.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-11-18
Beautifully told story
The Song of Achilles is set in Ancient Greece and is told from the perspective of Patroclus, an awkward young prince who is exiled to the court of King Peleus. This book focuses on the relationship between Patroclus and the prince Achilles, and follows them from their childhood through to the Trojan War.
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It took me a little bit to get into this book, but once I did I completely fell in love.
This is a very character focused book and the characters were super well developed and realistic. I loved watching the development of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. It was really sweet and I love them so much. I also really liked the relationship between Patroclus and Briseis.
As Patroclus wasn’t a warrior, the Trojan War takes a backseat in this book and the focus is mostly on the relationships and the dynamics within the war camp itself. I think that was actually a really interesting setting, there was a lot of political intrigue and some moral dilemmas.
The mythological aspect of this book was quite subtle and, while it is the motivation behind why a lot of decisions are made, it doesn’t feel intrusive in the historical setting.
I listened to this book as an audiobook and I think the narrator did a pretty good job. It also really helped me learn how to actually pronounce all the Greek names, which is a struggle!
This was a beautifully told story that I think anyone could love, not just people interested in Greek Mythology.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Helen Wilson
- 30-12-18
An old story told anew
A compelling story, told anew, from a fresh and very different perspective from that of the Iliad. The language is poetic and the characters ever interesting. The narration is exactly right. Wonderful!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- L
- 18-03-16
Oh my god
I honestly recommend this to anyone. It is a gripping tale that everyone should read/listen to.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 29-12-18
Epic and intimate
We go into this story, already knowing how it ends, only to discover truth in the old saying “it’s about the journey, not the destination.” Miller transports you into an epic world that is so carefully and lovingly woven, of myths and figures brought to life with such vibrancy, and it truly captivates you with every word that is lain on the page. Yet, it is small and entirely intimate.
I was, and remain so, deeply moved by the prose that is so beautiful that the word barely does it justice. In the early parts of the story I could only liken it to sunshine manifest, but as the story matures along side our protagonists, we see it rolling towards us and break - becoming the full summer storm. It sweeps you away, and you cannot help but be caught in its emotional tide. So many wonderfully balanced lines that both swell your heart and cut right through it, often both at once.
There was only one part that felt so strangely out of place that it was jarring, but it recovered quickly and we moved on from it.
My heart was left aching with the truthfulness of their connection, the depths of their bond, and how that was portrayed. Their intimate knowingness, sensuality, strength, conviction in each other and imitable love for one another. Their triumphs and failures feel appropriately won and lost.
Though they shone so brightly, it did not dilute nor drown out the other characters who helped shape their story. We see the complexities of each character and their presences each have their own weight and impact that feels important and with follow through and even their own important arcs.
To put it simply this skyrocketed as one of the most favourite things I have ever read and without a doubt will revisit many times..... and I will imagine I will sob as much every time.
Just. Beautiful.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alicia Croft
- 23-10-18
I cannot recommend it higher
The narration is excellent. Its not what you might expect going in to the tale. I completely fell in love with all of the characters. The story is a new favourite.
I highly recommend both Circe and this audiobook by the same author
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rodney Wetherell
- 08-07-18
An enthralling novel of the classical world
I found this book very well-written, and read with appropriate style. The character of Patrocles was developed in great detail over a long time, and it was easy to identify with him as he faced a world of war and politics, with his famous lover. I look forward to listening to Madeleine Miller's novel about Circe.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 08-09-19
Good story, poor writer
Unfortunately, even though the author has taken a great story, she cannot write effectively from a man’s perspective. Particularly a gay man’s perspective.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rebecca Rashleigh
- 02-08-19
An alternative view from a story we know well
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was selected as part of a book club I'm in and when I read the blurb I was a little bit "meh" by its description. i had seen a couple of movies/docos about Achilles and the battle of Troy so I wasnt that enthusiastic to read another rendition of the same story. However I was greatly surprised and I really enjoyed how it was told through the eyes of Patroclus and reading about the blossoming of his relationship with Achilles. It gave the legend a real breath of fresh air. I did however found the story at times dragged just a little during the battle of Troy but overall an incredibly enjoyable listen. Also a huge shout out to the Narrator David Thorpe who gave a terrific performance! Best narration I have heard yet!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jeanette Tunin
- 27-07-19
Lyrical
Beautifully interpreted in the spirit of the legend. Like an exquisite artifact. Sensitively read and communicated.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chiara
- 10-07-19
Perfect all around
Everything about this I loved. An instant favourite and will be following Miller's future writings. The narration was also wonderful, I have to check out what other stories Thorpe has done.