The meal was very good that night, roasted fish dressed with lemon and herbs, fresh cheese and bread, and he ate well. The boys were unconcerned by my presence. They had long ago ceased to see me.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a retelling of the Greek classic The Iliad. It’s a romance with beautiful, lyrical prose.
I know The Song of Achilles was published over 10 years ago and I’m very late to this party, but I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it.
I loved how closely Miller followed The Iliad while filling in gaps and the occasional twist that made the story more compelling as a modern reader. I also loved Achilles’s character. As a boy, he’s portrayed so arrogant and naive, yet also so vulnerable and I couldn’t hate him for his arrogance. Miller brings the reader on a journey, transforming that arrogance to Achilles’s hubris.
The Song of Achilles is officially on my list of favorites.
I had to make fresh pita for the fresh cheese and bread that Achilles and Patroclus eat with Chiron. And I made the roasted fish dressed with lemon and herbs. For the pita, I made my favorite pita recipe that I make every year for our Christmas Eve dinner. For the fish, I substituted tilapia for the chicken in this chicken piccata recipe.
I served the fish and cheese on these beautiful wooden plates that I just love.
Check out my Instagram reel for The Song of Achilles!
Do you enjoy reading retellings? What’s your favorite retelling?
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