The Song of Achilles Q&A

I loved your portrayal of Achilles, as an isolated an rather tragic figure. Ws it difficult to get the psychological motivations for such a supreme and perfect hero?

And what did other classicists think of your very modern take on his story?

Was it a surprise that your first novel did so well? What did that feel like and has it changed your life? Are you going to give up teaching?

The book is very straightforwardly written (not self-consciously literary). Did you agonise a lot about the tone? Were you keen to make it accessible?

Do you feel strongly that young people should still study the classics? What do you say to people who argue that it's ridiculous that schools teach latin and Ancient Greek but not mandarin?

I was interested in Achilles' mother, Thetis. I wondered if it was difficult to create her character - after all she is a goddess and doesn't really have a "character" in the usual sense in a novel.

I read somewhere that the book took you 10 years to write. Do you think the next one will take as long?

Why is it do you think that we keep coming back to these stories from the classics? Isn't it amazing that in all of human history, we haven't really come up with much to supersede them, or make them be forgotten?

Was this book an easy one to write? I think the story is not the exact mythological one - my husband knows all about that but hasn't read it yet - which does of course make it easier to write. But was this a story you were fascinated by and therefore decided to write about, or did you come to write it for another reason?
I found your writing style easy and fluent, and the descriptions of the myriad characters really good. But the highlight was the intense relationship between the two boys which continues through to adulthood and intense love. As the reader I felt this was a true love story with the background of the time and era making it very special. Thank you!

What a great book - who was your favourite character to write, Madeline? I liked Odysseus (my fav mythical character anyway) and also thought Briseis was very thoughtfully portrayed - have definitely been in her position re: Patroclus!

Madeline, another question from me - sorry - having tackled this touching love story against the background of bronze age conflict, have you any plans to make novels from any other Greek myths? You made a major character of Odysseus, so is there material for fiction in the Odyssey?

I'm really enjoying this book - very nearly finished!

I was wondering about the sources Madeline used. Obviously the Iliad for the post-Chryseis bit, but I was interested about the part about Patroclus's childhood and his time in Phthia - where did that come from?

Gosh I loved this book. I too was so engrossed I read it straight through and then wondered what on earth to read next that could possibly match up. I too read the Illiad at school more than fifty years ago and was enthralled by the whole topic of Greek mythology then. Fantastic! (Fifty Shades - phooey!)

I didn't know the book was advertised as being written for young people, Speldnan. Not sure what age groups she's aiming at because I won't be passing it on to my 15 yr old GS just yet.

Our book group read it recently at my suggestion. I really enjoyed it but did find it a little slow to start with. I too love Greek mythology so was intrigued to see what Ms Miller would say about these characters. I enjoyed the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus and found it plausible and heartbreaking at the end when Achilles was so grief stricken.
This book is advertised as being written for young people which could explain the simple style of writing. ( I loved the centaur btw)
We followed this book with another 'Miller' book-Andrew Miller this time and the novel 'Pure' which is breathtaking in its originality and portrayal of pre revolutionary France-please read everyone!!

Harrikat Most people seem to have liked this book so I realise my take on it is in the minority. Although I've never really been keen on mythology, Song Of Achilles is written about an interesting period in ancient history so I thought I'd give it a go. I enjoyed Madeline Miller's beautiful descriptions of ancient Greece but I found the story telling simplistic and boring in parts. This was fine at the beginning because Patroclus is a small child but as the story progresses, the lightweight conversations are in the style of a teen romance (mind you, it's a very long time since I've read one of those!)

Thanks very much for my copy, which was a lovely surprise! Looking forward to starting it now that I have got over a bout of bronchitis......too bleary-eyed to read until now.

I returned home from holiday yesterday to find my free copy - what a pleasant surprise amongst all the junk mail and bills - thank you very much. I am about half way through and can't put it down. I'm afraid the holiday washing will have to wait.

I'm surprised merlotgran describes her experience as that of reading a children's book, please could you expand a little for me?
Psychological depth - I thought there were many layers of interpretation, some very profound studies of love, pride, gender .. & lots more.
And, like DavidH22, I'm looking forward to more fiction from Madeline Miller - is it likely to be grounded in ancient mytholgy?

Bought my copy!! I loved the book. As a child I love the Greek Myths aand tales of gods and magic people - my best friend and I wanted to be centaurs. Lots of books don't have original characters or stories as SuzieB commented, that doesn't mean that there can't be a new take on an old tale. Afterall that is what history books do so why not fiction. More please!!

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

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?

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?

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.

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

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?