Patroclus remains the protagonist even when he has already died: he retells the last few chapters as a ghost. The story here is largely about the two characters' love, and less time is spent on the Trojan War.

The beginning of the book is solely focused on his childhood, and later on, his interactions with Achilles as a child.

Adaptational Protagonist: In this adaptation of The Iliad, Achilles' companion, Patroclus, becomes the protagonist.

As a result the two have a considerably worse relationship.

Adaptational Consent: In the original myth, Peleus and Thetis married after he managed to restrain her and she consented to marrying him as a Best Her to Bed Her challenge, while in this story he instead raped her and conceived Achilles.

Adaptation Distillation: The entire Iphigenia arc is only included as a footnote.

It still does not shy away from how many lives are being lost because of Achilles' pride. The book humanises his selfishness slightly, by reminding the reader that Achilles' knowledge of the prophecy about him means he has literally given his life for his legacy, and Agamemnon genuinely is being a total idiot. Paris: Where do I aim? I heard he was invulnerable. Metaphorically, it was Achilles's pride that ultimately did him in, although the heel is lightly referenced. He dies after getting shot in the heart just like a normal soldier. Like in the earliest, Homeric tellings of The Iliad, Achilles doesn't have a weak point, he's just extraordinarily skilled in battle. This instance is echoed in his later fight against Sarpedon - who is killed by a very lucky fall from a chariot, that breaks his neck.

Accidental Murder: Patroclus, as a boy, pushes over a bigger boy who is bullying him, and by bad luck, cracks his skull.

The novel won the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction, and is Miller's first published work. Achilles is bound to follow him, for love and glory. but then word comes of a great war, brewing between Troy and Sparta.

They learn the art of heroism from the great teacher Chiron, and want to live happily ever after. But Achilles takes a shine to Patroclus, and it's not long before they're best friends, and then lovers. Patroclus is a disappointment to his father, and is still young when he is exiled to the island of Phthia, to be an attendant on the half-divine Achilles. It retells the events of, and leading up to, The Iliad from the point of view of Patroclus, the beloved companion of Achilles. The Song of Achilles is a 2011 novel by Madeline Miller. 'I'm going to be the first.' He took my palm and held it to his. 'Tell me.' I loved it when he was like this. They never let you be famous and happy.' He lifted an eyebrow.

The song of the achilles