Ruined Me in the Best Way

 The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I was so cocky going into this book; like why are people crying in the corner and needing a lobotomy after reading it? Do they not know their ancient Greek? I was CONVINCED I was going to be fine because I already know the story of Achilles. I know how this story ends. And I do. But, I was both right and wrong. Madeline Miller can write a book. And like everyone else, I was sobbing by the end. The book was told from Patroclus point of view which was a bit of a surprise when I initially pushed play. But once I figured out who the narrator was, the rest fell into place. One of my favorite parts in the entire book was from relatively early in the story, when Achilles makes Patroclus his companion and his father asks him why him out of all of the boys. Achilles basically responds, he's weird and I like that. And his father just shrugs his shoulders and says okay. It was so innocent and wholesome and was also the catalyst for the rest of Achilles' life. Odysseus was messy; he loved drama. Agamemnon was the worst and did NOT deserve to lead the army, let alone have the loyalty of Patroclus and Achilles. Patroclus was by far the best of them; he had Achilles save as many women as possible and Agamemnon taking a woman they saved, got Patroclus killed. Achilles lost his mind and when on a rampage. Here is where the only difference comes into the story. Paris killed him with an arrow through the heart, guided by the god Apollo instead of through his Achilles heal. And he was happy for it. Achilles' son shows up and he is the worst. He does agree to his fathers' wish to have his ashes buried with Patroclus, since they were already mixed it was too late, but he does not put Patroclus' name on the grave. That is how Patroclus is able to continue narrating the story; his ghost has not been sent to judgement and is instead haunting the battlefield. He is able to make contact with Odysseus and he tries to get Achilles' son to reconsider but he will not sully his fathers' legacy with some nobody on his grave. Everyone leaves and Patroclus is alone. Then Achilles' mom shows up. She has always hated Patroclus, and tried multiple times to break them up. But this time, she talks to him. She tells him that Achilles' son is dead and they reminisce about Achilles. Patroclus tells her about his other accomplishments, not just in the war, and she adds them to his memorial. Then, she adds Patroclus' name and tells him that Achilles' is waiting for him in the underworld. That is what got me sobbing. She finally realized that Patroclus was the best person and that Achilles was better because of him. And that she was the one to send him to her beloved son.  I will definitely let Madeline Miller ruin my life again.