The Song of Achilles: The 10th Anniversary edition of the Women's Prize-winning bestseller

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In the end glory wins over love and Achilles sails for Troy and Patroclus sails with him, their young love a glittering shimmer left behind on Mount Pelion. This is a book that sings of young love but it is also one that speaks of war and philosophy. Wars have been fought over land, over love and over pride. All three may seem flimsy when the consequence is a field littered with dead bodies and rivers turning crimson. And yet war carries beneath it, a deep philosophy and lessons, moral and tangible. The war of Troy would be no different. What for instance would motivate men to leave behind their families and sail on a voyage from which there was almost certainly no return? Why would they fight for another's wife? This is where war commanders come in. War perhaps teaches more on leadership than anything else and this war is no different. Delivery with Standard Australia Post usually happens within 2-10 business days from time of dispatch. Please be aware that the delivery time frame may vary according to the area of delivery and due to various reasons, the delivery may take longer than the original estimated timeframe. Patroclus was a prince, exiled and sent to live at King Peleus’ court. Achilles’ father wasn’t keen on Patroclus and Achilles’ friendship because he was no longer a prince, but Achilles chose him and that was all that mattered. Everyone listened to what the prince said, and when Achilles speaks in the book, I really felt the power behind his words. His arrogance and air of entitlement can be an issue with some readers, but I see his character from a completely different perspective than most. The never-ending ache of love and sorrow. Perhaps in some other life I could have refused, could have torn my hair and screamed, and made him face his choice alone."

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. Circe is a strange child – not powerful and terrible, like her father, nor gorgeous and mercenary like her mother. Scorned and rejected, Circe grows up in the shadows, at home in neither the world of gods or mortals. But Circe has a dark power of her own: witchcraft. When her gift threatens the gods, she is banished to the island of Aiaia where she hones her occult craft, casting spells, gathering strange herbs and taming wild beasts. Yet a woman who stands alone will never be left in peace for long – and among her island's guests is an unexpected visitor: the mortal Odysseus, for whom Circe will risk everything. Yet this beautiful spear had been fashioned not in bitterness, but love. Its shape would fit no one’s hand but Achilles’, and its heft could suit no one’s strength but his. And though the point was keen and deadly, the wood itself slipped under our fingers like the slender oiled strut of a lyre.” When Helen of Sparta, later known as Helen of Troy, is allegedly kidnapped and taken to Troy this prompts Achilles’ need to fight. In The Iliad, Aphrodite promises Paris, Prince of Troy, a beautiful woman, and Helen was considered one of the most beautiful women of that time. This is not shown in the novel, but I thought I’d mention it to give you some context. The entire war and story is set in motion by Helen and Paris’ relationship that angers her husband Menelaus, who convinces his brother King Agamemnon to go to war.Briseis’ story. Her words of love to Patroclus and her willingness to stay with him forever, even if that meant sharing him with Achilles was simply beautiful. Not to mention, in the end she died on her own terms, refusing to be claimed (by Agamemnon) or enslaved again. Achilles is such a tough, strong-willed character that overpowers Patroclus’ more sensitive side, but the two of them work so well together. When Achilles is about to go off the rails, it’s always Patroclus that can rein him in. We were like gods, at the dawning of the world, and our joy was so bright we could see nothing else but the other."

Originally posted on my blog at https://rantandraveaboutbooks.com/2016/07/29/the-song-of-achilles-fate-fury-and-friendship-make-for-a-rave-review/

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Achilles’ rage. I could imagine what Achilles was feeling as he circled the gates of Troy dragging Hector’s body behind him. I understood his grief and sympathized when he refused to give Priam his son, Hector’s remains. And I could visualize Achilles leaning over and caring for Patroclus’ remains, hoping that he would awaken or be resurrected. While you may think that Achilles is the hero or what the story is about, it is really about Patroclus, who loved him unconditionally regardless of his flaws. Yes, Achilles was beautiful, musically talented (lyre) and a skilled warrior, but he was also aloof and at times difficult. And while Patroclus saw his shortcomings, he loved him in spite of them. Eventually even giving his life to make sure that Achilles remained whole. The dynamic between Achilles, his mother (Thetis) and Patroclus. While Thetis never thought Patroclus was good enough for her son and never understood their love, it is his telling their life stories and their mutual love that in the end softened her outer shell (ok, kind-of). She came to understand that Patroclus loved her son. Greece in the age of Heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia. Here he is nobody, just another unwanted boy living in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles.