The SONG of ACHILLES-Old Drawn Out Greek Heroic Tale

Madeline Miller's novel The SONG of ACHILLES (SAC), deals with similar territory as in her follow-up best selling novel, CIRCE. Both are about an assorted cast of Greek Goddesses, Gods, demigods and their boy toy mortals.  Credit ACHILLES and CIRCE for appealing to readers who aspire to learn the circuitous connections and classifications mired in myths and Ancient Greek history. Both are a lot more interesting than the dry classics that many a teen has battled with such as the Iliad, Odyssey or tales of the Trojan War. Furthermore, Miller spins ACHILLES' saga from the narration of Patroclus, an-exiled prince who became Achilles' lifelong love into infinity and beyond. Still, Miller's epic tale suffers from insufficient editing and wagers on too long trolling through numerous infamous names and relationships. So too, the Ancient Greek War, assured to be a quick victory, morphs into a decade long running battle. Patroclus, a reserved loner in a new kingdom, is favored by the King's son Achilles. Achilles is a young adonis, and revered by all the other boys. The two form a bond from a young age that continues throughout their lives. Achilles chooses Patroclus to receive training for battle alongside him under the guidance of a benevolent centaur Chiron. The years spent in a secluded forest under Chiron's tutelage were the most interesting as they learn to adapt in nature's habitat and flourish into adulthood.  Here the two first consummate their blossoming attraction. At its core, this is a love story between Achilles and Patroclus despite its many epic challenges. Achilles' mother, the sea-nymph Thetis loathes Patroclus as he threatens to diminish Achilles' legacy of greatness. She poses various obstacles to their relationship. There's also the war against Troy which calls both Achilles and Patroclus to fight in the war with the Greeks against the Trojans. The war broke out after the abduction of Helen who was married to the King of Sparta and considered the most beautiful woman in the world. The sieges are bloody. Achilles proves his prowess  on the battlefields although the prophecy of his death looms overhead. Patroclus' skills tending the wounded are revered. Amidst the anguish of war, treachery and the wrath of various Gods against mortals, the devotion  between Achilles and Patroclus endures and makes the mounting miseries and myriad of players palpable. Patroclus' voice from beyond the grave bestowed a poignancy towards the ends that otherwise was missing. Reading SAC is more rewarding than reading cliff notes on the Trojan War and more of a lark than memorizing surmountable mythical and historical names. But, not nearly as tantalizing as consuming nectar or ambrosia.