By Madeline Miller
Ecco, 2012, 378 pgs. Historical Fiction
I found this to be a very good book. It is a wonderful and accessible re-telling of the Iliad, told from the perspective of Patroclus, the companion of Achilles. Having been exiled from home by his father, disowned and no longer a prince, he forms his close and passionate relationship with Achilles, hailed as Aristos Achaion, the best of the Greeks. Born of Thetis, a sea nymph, Achilles is the perfect warrior. After Helen is seized and taken to Troy, the Hellenic kings who swore oaths to uphold Helen's marriage decision gather to take her back by force. Knowing that his fate is to die in battle, Achilles takes up arms and joins the fight, Patroclus by his side. Being a Greek story, the ending has a suitably tragic ending. I would recommend this to just about anyone who enjoys books about ancient Greece.
One strong caveat for parents. The story makes quite clear the homosexual relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. Not gratuitous, but certainly explicit. However, the sexual aspect of their relationship is only a minor part of the story. This does not by any means detract from the story.
CHW
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