The Song of Achilles

Madeline Miller

$22.99

Paperback

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English

Bloomsbury
01 November 2017

Fiction & Literature; Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945); Fantasy; Myth & legend told as fiction; Historical fiction

ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK -----'The Song of Achilles' is a remarkable retelling of the Iliad that shines a new light on this ancient story of Greece's greatest hero. Telling the story from the perspective of Patroclus, Miller humanises these characters from the allegorical symbols history has made them. With evocative writing full of detail and rich imagery, Miller focus on the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles, telling their story of heroes, war, friendship, love and death, and the seduction of glory. Mary O'Sullivan

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WINNER OF THE ORANGE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION THE INTERNATIONAL SENSATION A SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'Captivating' DONNA TARTT 'I loved it' J K ROWLING 'Ravishingly vivid' EMMA DONOGHUE 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. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, 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's mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

'A book I could not put down' ANN PATCHETT 'An exciting, sexy, violent Superman version of The Iliad' GUARDIAN 'Sexy, dangerous, mystical' BETTANY HUGHES

By: Madeline Miller
Imprint: Bloomsbury
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: Special Edition
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
Weight: 256g
ISBN: 9781408891384
ISBN 10: 1408891387
Pages: 368
Publication Date: 01 November 2017
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Madeline Miller has a BA and MA from Brown University in Latin and Ancient Greek, and has taught both for over a decade. She has also studied at the Yale School of Drama, specialising in adapting classical tales to a modern audience. The Song of Achilles, her first novel, was awarded the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction and was a New York Times Bestseller. It has been translated into twenty-three languages including Dutch, Mandarin, Japanese, Turkish, Arabic and Greek. Madeline was also shortlisted for the 2012 Stonewall Writer of the Year, and her essays have appeared in a number of publications including the Guardian and Wall Street Journal. She currently lives in Narberth, MA, where she is working on her second novel. madelinemiller.com

Reviews for The Song of Achilles

I loved it * J.K. Rowling * A captivating retelling of the Iliad and events leading up to it through the point of view of Patroclus: it's a hard book to put down, and any classicist will be enthralled by her characterisation of the goddess Thetis, which carries the true savagery and chill of antiquity * Donna Tartt * At once a scholar’s homage to the Iliad and startlingly original work of art by an incredibly talented new novelist ... A book I could not put down * Ann Patchett * Inventive, passionate, uplifting and different ... A truly worthy winner * Joanna Trollope *