　　
THE
SONG OF
ACHILLES
　　　

MADELINE MILLER

＇You can use a spear for a walking stick, but it will not change its nature.＇
—— Madeline Miller, The Song of A chilles

2012英國柑橘獎最佳小說獎得獎作品

阿基里斯，全希臘最驍勇善戰的戰士，無情波濤的海洋女神忒提斯（Thetis）與傳奇之王佩琉斯（Peleus）的子嗣，阿基里斯是位強壯又迅捷的美男子，對眾人而言阿基里斯有著難以抵抗的魅力。而帕特羅克洛斯（Patroclus）則是位性情古怪的年輕王子，因一件令人震驚的暴力事件因而自家鄉流放至此。在命運之神的安排下兩人在此巧遇，並因此建立了緊密的關係，即便會因此觸怒眾神。

兩人拜師於半人馬凱戎門下學習戰爭與醫藥的知識，但是當斯巴達的海倫遭綁架的消息傳來時，國王號召了希臘的各路英雄，以海倫之名圍攻特洛伊城。受到允諾輝煌榮耀的天命所引誘，阿基里斯響應了號召，但陷在對摯友的愛與恐懼間左右為難，所幸帕特羅克洛斯跟隨了阿基里斯的腳步。但兩人卻絲毫不曉得，暗地裡殘酷的命運之神將以前所未有的試煉折磨兩人，並要求以極其駭人的犧牲奉獻作為代價。

WINNER OF THE 2012
ORANGE PRIZE FOR FICTION

Greece in the age of heroes. Awkward young prince Patroclus has been exiled to the court of King Peleus. Despite their differences, Peleus＇s golden boy Achilles befriends the shamed prince. As they grow into young men, their bond blossoms into something deeper – despite the displeasure of Achilles＇s mother, the sea goddess Thetis.

But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfil his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him.
　　

■瑪德琳．米勒／Madeline Miller
幼年成長於費城的米勒擁有布朗大學（Brown University）拉丁與古希臘語學士及碩士學位，並於過去九年來教授拉丁與古希臘語這兩種語言。米勒亦曾就讀於耶魯大學戲劇學院，專攻改編古典傳說現代化的工作。米勒現居於麻塞諸塞州劍橋市，《阿基里斯之歌》為其文壇處女作。

Madeline Miller grew up in Philadelphia, has bachelor＇s and master＇s degrees in Latin and Ancient Greek from Brown University, and has been teaching both languages for the past nine years. She has also studied at the Yale School of Drama, specializing in adapting classical tales for a modern audience. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Song of Achilles is her first novel.
　　