The Song of Achilles Q&A

Dear Ms. Miller,
There is so much to admire, to be in awe of and that is heartbreakingly moving in your stunning novel. I especially enjoyed reading an early interview you had with Gregory Maguire. There are many aspects of the novel that intrigue me but the character of Chiron is particularly powerful and certainly emotionally charged. There is even more in what he does not say than what he speaks to the young Patroclus and Achilles.

After creating such an extraordinary character, indeed, bringing to such vibrant life a well-known figure of mythology, what was it like to leave him behind as the two young men depart for Phthia and then to Troy?

As a reader familiar with the Iliad, I know what will befall the boys, that they will never return to their extraordinary teacher. You hint that Chiron knows this too, making one complicit with the great centaur. The tug of our knowing and the boys (perhaps) not knowing is extreme and is one of many extraordinarily emotional moments of your book. I look forward to your visit in New York City.

This is the first time for ages that I have just sat & read a book, ignoring eveything that needed to be done & just lost myself in a cracking story. I really could not put the book down.
I was familiar with the tale but I always thought that Achilles loved Briseis which was why Agamemnon took her. I assumed that Patroclus loved her too but knew she was his friend's woman. I missed the homosexual angle of the relationship with Patroclus completely- probably because the version of the Iliad I read was one approved by my school- many moons ago!
The latter part of the book was so moving that I was willing someone to bring the souls of the boys together.
I felt quite bereft when I finished it- always a sign of a truly great book.
I am going to choose this book as next month's choice for the reading group I run for my WI. I cannot wait to hear their comments on it.

I thought I had missed out on my copy, but today it arrived and I will get on with reading it very soon. Am delighted to see that it is in a good-sized print. Thanks, Gnet.

I received my book today. Thank you.

Mine arrived this morning as well. Thank you. Looking forward to getting stuck in.

Received my copy today,thanks gransnet. Looks so different from what I read so looking forward to getting stuck in and I will review it on my blog as a thanks.

Now having difficulty putting it down! I love the way she has put flesh on names I recognise from long ago.

I was pleased to receive my copy the other day - thank-you. I've just begun reading.

I did enjoy the book but, as I have a nodding acquaintance with the Iliad I kept wondering when you would bring up the myth of Achilles' heel. As you constantly introduced Thetis into the plot, why did you omit her attempt to make him invulnerable?

I bought the book last week and have really enjoyed it. I loved Greek Mythology at school [is it still taught I wonder] and this book brings all the characters to life.

Fascinating so far, I have just got up to the boys becoming 16 and romantically involved. Easy to read.

I've got to them meeting Agamemnon for the start of the Trojan war.

I've nearly finished it. Wasn't sure if I'd like it at first because, as Vodafone says, it's an easy read but once the characters come to life it flows along nicely.

Delighted and thrilled to receive this book and look forward to getting stuck in to a good read. Got to finish my engrossing library books first or I shall have fines to pay!!
Have enjoyed reading the comments on here about Son of Achilles & will contribute my own in due course.
Huge thanks for this!

I too have reached where they meet Agamemnon and the start of the Trojan War.
I have put it forward as my nomination to the U3A reading group.

Thanks for the book, I am really enjoying it.

Sorry - going to be a party pooper here! I was really disappointed with this book, and surprised it won 'the prize'. After all, it wasn't an original story, with original characters. It was just the re-telling of Greek myth - something that has been done over thousands of years. And why did I feel that the author had Leonardo di Caprio in his prime in mind when describing Achilles?

I read Achilles a couple of months ago and was blown away & passed it on to a friend, so don't have it to hand for reference - ie my memory is atrocious!! But - I thought about the book last weekend when I saw an article in the Sundays about androgyny and super models, the beauty of androgynous bodies. I think this retelling is very much in the spirit of our age, and isn't the retelling of myths over the ages what keeps them alive for what they are?

I'm relieved to find I'm not the only reader who didn't enjoy this novel. I found it very slow to start with though it did pick up once the Trojan War began. Perhaps I was expecting too much in the way of psychological depth and more than a re-telling of the Greek myths?

Thank goodness it's not just me. I've abandoned this book for the moment.

I wasn't crazy about it either. I felt like I was reading a children's book then there would be a scene of homosexual love or a gruesome sacrifice just to remind us it was really for grown ups.

Thoroughly loved this book. The love, loyalty and respect of two people for each other is brought out wonderfully. The characters and even the gods were brought to life on the page for me. You could almost feel the warm sand between your toes. Full of emotion and feeling and an old story told in a modern way.
Thanks to Gransnet and Bloomsbury for the copy.
Can I ask Ms Miller if she has any more books in the pipeline?

Thank you so much for this wonderful book!!!!!!!!!!!! I started reading it as soon as it arrived at my front door and found it difficult to put down. I don't care that it was an old fable rewritten - I just loved it. It was so sensitive and beautiful that I didn't want it to end.......................I shall now pass it to my granddaughter who is reading classics at Kings in London - I bet she will love it too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Phew, what shall I read now?

Yes I've received my free copy, many thanks - I'm looking forward to reading it.