Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

Their story plays itself out alongside that of the Trojan War. The novel won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2012.

The novel ‘The Song of Achilles’ focuses on characters and events that are mainly based on mythology, but through Miller’s style of writing, contemporary readers will find themselves easily able to relate to their conflicts, passions, and concerns. The novel’s overall appeal to contemporary audiences has resulted in its growing reputation, especially on the back of Miller’s second novel, ‘Circe,’ published in 2018.

Key Facts about The Song of Achilles 

• Title: The Song of Achilles
• Published: September 20, 2011
• Literary Period: Contemporary Fiction
• Genre: Novel / Romance / Fantasy
• Point-of-View: First-person
• Setting: Greece
• Climax: Achilles walking towards the walls of Troy wearing his bronze armor
• Antagonist: Thetis and Achilles’ own fate

Madeline Miller and The Song of Achilles

Madeline Miller’s novels are deeply inspired by Greek mythology and the works of epic poets like Homer and Virgil. Her novels follow characters most readers will be familiar with from their school years, including Achilles and Patroclus, Circe and Odysseus. Her novels have been praised for their feminist themes and depiction of relationships.

While studying, Miller attended Brown University, where she received a BA and MA in Classics. This line of study influenced the author’s subject matter in ‘The Song of Achilles’ and ‘Circe.’ Miller also spent time studying at the University of Chicago’s Committee on Social Thought and in the Dramaturgy department at Yale School of Drama. Throughout her career, she has taught Latin, Greek, and the works of Shakespeare, according to the author’s website.  

Books Related to The Song of Achilles

‘The Song of Achilles’ by Madeline Miller is a contemporary novel that was inspired by a long history of Greek mythology. Readers who enjoyed the novel and are looking to explore works that may have influenced it should consider reading Homer’s classic epic poems, ‘Iliad’ and ‘Odyssey,’ as well as Virgil’s ‘Aeneid.’ Miller has specifically cited the latter as a direct influence on her writing. Other classic examples include ‘The Greek Myths,’ published by Robert Graves in 1955. It is a well-regarded reference for anyone interested in the field of study.

In the realm of more contemporary literature, related novels include ‘A Thousand Ships’ by Natalie Haynes, a retelling of the Trojan War that focuses on the roles that women like Helen and Calliope played. Miller’s own novel, ‘Circe,’ is another wonderful example. It tells the story of the “witch” Circe, who Odysseus initially encounters in the ‘Odyssey.’ Atwood’s ‘The Penelopiad’ is another contemporary example. It is another female-focused story that focuses on Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, who is forced to wait 20 years for him to return from Troy and from his journey home (detailed in both the ‘Iliad’ and the ‘Odyssey’). 

Lasting Influence of The Song of Achilles