Song of Achilles

Song of Achilles is a book of the legendary Greek hero Achilles through the eyes of his childhood friend and companion Patroclus.

My favorite character would be Achilles; strong-willed and playfully cocky. He was born from the Goddess Thetis and King Peleus of Phthia. Ever since he was a child, he was told by his mother that he'd be destined for greatness and that people would remember his name like they do Heracles and Perseus.

The story picks up towards the second half of the book when Achilles and Patroclus join the other Greek kings in the war effort against Troy. The scenes when Achilles would exchange words with the soldiers and kings were very well written. As I read the exchanges, I felt more and more immersed in the ancient Greek way. The men, particularly the kings, all walked and talked with poise.

During the story, when Achilles has to go back on his words to exact vengeance for Patroclus, I could feel his anger and despair. He sought and successfully killed Hector but, to add insult to injury, dragged the Trojan prince's body on a chariot for all to see. His desire for vengeance was ruining his heroic image. But Achilles is no savage. During the book, you learn that he has a soft heart. He listens to Priam, king of Troy, and returns Hector's body for a proper burial.

I was not too fond of the parts of the story when Achilles and Patroclus bed each other in detail. Fortunately, it was mainly in the first half of the book where their childhood story was being told.

So to summarize, Song of Achilles is a great read, especially if you like Greek Mythology. The book is very well written and not too long of a read. It's a slow start but picks up quickly towards the end.