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Madeline Miller has a BA and MA from Brown University in Latin and Ancient Greek, and has been teaching both for the past nine years. She has also studied at the Yale School of Drama, specialising in adapting classical tales to a modern audience. The Song of Achilles is her first novel.
Author photo © Nina Subin
The Song of Achilles was a beautiful and evocative retelling of a Greek myth which well deserved its praise and prize. It is possible that this second offering is even better. The language is poetic with not a word wasted, a real joy to read. I remember Circe was one of the challenges met by Odysseus, the one who turned men into pigs. The beautiful character who narrates this story is that same “wicked witch” but a far cry from how Homer portrayed her. She is lovely, misunderstood, wilful and brilliant, a strong woman slowly growing into her power. Many famous mythical figures pepper these pages; Jason, Prometheus, the Minator … but don’t worry if you haven’t heard of them all, this spellbinding story gives you all you need to know. If you are familiar with the myths you will find new life in them in this enchanting retelling. I really cannot praise it enough. It is a special book, bridging romance, fantasy, poetic literature and feminist writing to create a work of high standard with wide appeal. I loved it and I think you will too.
The Song of Achilles was a beautiful and evocative retelling of a Greek myth which well deserved its praise and prize. It is possible that this second offering is even better. The language is poetic with not a word wasted, a real joy to read. I remember Circe was one of the challenges met by Odysseus, the one who turned men into pigs. The beautiful character who narrates this story is that same “wicked witch” but a far cry from how Homer portrayed her. She is lovely, misunderstood, wilful and brilliant, a strong woman slowly growing into her power. Many famous mythical figures pepper these pages; Jason, Prometheus, the Minator … but don’t worry if you haven’t heard of them all, this spellbinding story gives you all you need to know. If you are familiar with the myths you will find new life in them in this enchanting retelling. I really cannot praise it enough. It is a special book, bridging romance, fantasy, poetic literature and feminist writing to create a work of high standard with wide appeal. I loved it and I think you will too. Visit our 'Women's Words - 60+ works of feminist-minded fiction' to explore our collection of feminist-minded fiction from around the world, and across centuries.
A beautiful new limited edition paperback of The Song of Achilles, published as part of the Bloomsbury Modern Classics list. The god touches his finger to the arrow's fletching. Then he breathes, a puff of air - as if to send dandelions flying, to push toy boats over water. And the arrow flies, straight and silent, in a curving, downward arc towards Achilles' back.A breathtakingly original rendering of the Trojan War - a devastating love story and a tale of gods and kings, immortal fame and the human heart. Winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2012. The Bloomsbury Modern Classic Series Restless by William Boyd Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
Winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2012. A breathtakingly original rendering of the Trojan War - a devastating love story and a tale of gods and kings, immortal fame and the human heart.
Winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2012. A breathtakingly original rendering of the Trojan War - a devastating love story and a tale of gods and kings, immortal fame and the human heart.
The captivating Sunday Times and New York Times number one bestseller by the Orange Prize-winning author of The Song of Achilles; 'spellbinding ... a thrilling tour de force of the imagination' (Mail on Sunday) 'Fabulous' Daily Telegraph 'Blisteringly modern' The Times 'Bold and sensuously written' Daily Mail 'An airy delight' Observer God. Mortal. Daughter. Monster. Saviour. Outcast. Lover. Destroyer. Creator. Mother. Witch. Scorned, rejected and at last exiled from her father's house for her dark gifts, Circe arrives on the remote island of Aiaia with nothing but her wits and magic to help her. But there is danger for a solitary woman in the world, and Circe's independence and strange powers draw the wrath of men and gods alike. To protect what she holds dear, Circe must decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love. Complicated and wounded, gifted and passionate, Madeline Miller's captivating Circe steps out of myth and into the present as a heroine for our time, and all times.
Patroklos, ein in Ungnade gefallener Prinz im Knabenalter, wird ins Exil nach Phthia geschickt, wo er, als einer unter vielen, im Schatten des Konigs Peleus und seines Sohnes Achill einsam und unbeachtet lebt, bis Achill sich eines Tages seiner annimmt. Die zaghafte Annahrung entwickelt sich bald zu einer unerschutterlichen Freundschaft. Seite an Seite wachsen Achill und Patroklos zu jungen Mannern heran, und bald erbluht eine zarte Liebe zwischen ihnen. Der Friede wird jedoch jh zerstrt, als Paris Helena aus Sparta entfhrt und sich die Mnner Griechenlands zum Kampf gegen Troja versammeln. Verfhrt von der Prophezeiung seiner ruhmreichen Bestimmung, schliet sich Achill ihnen an. Patroklos, innerlich von Angst und Liebe zerrissen, folgt Achill in den zehn Jahre whrenden Krieg, nicht ahnend, dass er das Schicksal seines geliebten Freundes in die Hnde der Gtter geben muss.
In Ancient Greece, a skilled marble sculptor has been blessed by a goddess who has given his masterpiece the most beautiful woman the town has ever seen the gift of life. Now his wife, Galatea is expected to be obedience and humility personified, but it is not long before she learns to use her beauty as a form of manipulation. In a desperate bid by her obsessive husband to keep her under control, she is locked away under the constant supervision of doctors and nurses. But with a daughter to rescue, she is determined to break free, whatever the cost...Pygmalions story has moved millions through the centuries, inspiring George Bernard ShawsPygmalion, and later the beloved musicalMy Fair Lady. Ecco is proudto publishOrange Prize-winning author Madeline Millers E-book original short storyGalateawhich will appear in the forthcoming anthology xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths to be published in October. This retelling of the Pygmalion myth from the statues perspective is a tale that will make readers rethink how they relate to the great myths of our time.
The legend begins...Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia to be raised in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles. The best of all the Greeksstrong, beautiful, and the child of a goddessAchilles is everything the shamed Patroclus is not. Yet despite their differences, the boys become steadfast companions. Their bond deepens as they grow into young men and become skilled in the arts of war and medicinemuch to the displeasure and the fury of Achilles mother, Thetis, a cruel sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece, bound by blood and oath, must lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.Built on the groundwork of the Iliad, Madeline Millers page-turning, profoundly moving, and blisteringly paced retelling of the epic Trojan War marks the launch of a dazzling career.
