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Trojan Trilogy #1
Achilles: A Love Story
THE TROJAN WAR--the legendary battle. ACHILLES--the most fearsome warrior of the Trojan War, and the most beautiful man in the world. PATROCLUS--handsome and heroic. They loved one another. ANTILOCHUS--who comes to the battlefield of Troy to find Achilles, the man he has always loved. When the tragic death of Patroclus leaves Achilles shattered and alone, it is Antilochus who stands at his side, as a friend, companion in battle, and lover. " A Love Story," written in the tradition of Mary Renault’s "The Persian Boy" and "Fire From Heaven," is the first modern novel ( 2010) to re-imagine the "Iliad" as not only a tale of battles and heroism, but as a passionate story of love between men. " A Love Story" creates the passionate tale of Antilochus and Achilles as it plays out against the legendary battles of the Trojan war in an exciting and moving story told by no other writer. A Love Story is a revised excerpt from the longer novel Ilios, a re-imagining of the Trojan War.Reader/reviewers have called “ A Love Story” a “beautifully written retelling of a beautiful story, the Iliad, from a homoerotic perspective” and noted that the book is "an unapologetic celebration of male love and valor." The book's “real power is in reconstructing a mythical epoch in such a realistic way, that you are left convinced that the ancients truly lived among the sights and sounds the author so adeptly describes." The author “brings alive from antiquity the passions of love and war. He makes these iconic characters and events profoundly knowable and relevant. Whether Homer's Iliad is well-trodden ground or uncharted territory, you're in for a vivid, engaging and thoroughly satisfying story” and ”if you are a devotee of history, fiction, romance, and a darned good read, I highly recommend " A Love Story" as the fulfillment of them all. Five stars.”
237 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 3, 2012
This review was originally written for the Speak Its Name web site:
The Greek era has always been one of my favorites for historical romance. Perhaps it’s because Mary Ranault’s Alexander books were the first historical novels with a gay bent I ever read, or maybe it’s just because it was a time when love between men was not only accepted, but almost expected. So I had high, perhaps unreasonable, hopes when offered "Achilles: A Love Story".
This is the story of Homer’s Iliad, re-told from the point of view of Antilochus, a prince, the son and heir of King Nestor of Pylos. The young prince has formed a sort of obsession with the already famous Achilles, who is only two years older. Antilochus comes off as a bit of a stalker at first, determined that one day he will meet the object of his desire, and they will instantly become lovers.
Then comes news of the impending war. Kind Agamemnon comes to Pylos to enlist King Nestor’s support in the war against Troy. Nestor somewhat reluctantly agrees. He and Odysseus then embark on a tour of the other Greek states to garner their support. One of the stops is to be Pythia, where the support of King Peleus and his son the mighty Achilles will be sought. Antilochus naturally jumps at the chance to finally meet his lover-to-be, and begs to go along. Of course, once the party lands in Pythia, Antilochus is slapped with the cold hard reality of Patroclus. Somehow, the fact that Achilles already had a lover to whom he was practically joined at the hip had escaped the young prince.
Antilochus is crushed, but he doesn’t give up the determination to one day make Achilles his. First though, there’s a war to fight. Nestor, Achilles and the rest of the Greeks take off to fight, while Antilochus is deemed too young and left behind in the care of his mother. The prince cools his heels in Pylos for eight long years. His mother won’t let him leave to join the war without word from his father, and Nestor never sends for his son.
Tired of waiting and anxious to partake of the glory of battle, as well as win the heart of Achilles, Antilochus arranges to make his way to Troy with the help of a sexy sea captain. Arriving in Troy, the prince faces the wrath of his father, but Achilles intervenes and it’s agreed that Antilochus will serve as Achilles’ squire. Actually, he will serve both Achilles and Patroclus since they live together. At first this seems like a boon, but faced with the obvious love the two have for each other every day does drive home how impossible Antilochus’ hopes are, although he never gives them up.
Not that Antilochus doesn’t get to experience what Achilles is like as a lover. Achilles and Patroclus seem to have an ‘open relationship’ and Achilles takes Antilochus from time to time when Patroclus isn’t around, and apparently Patroclus also beds the prince at least once. Achilles does teach Antilochus the art of warfare, and eventually the prince returns to his father’s service to lead his own battalion as captain.
Antilochus fights alongside Achilles on occasion, and he is there to witness the capture of Chryseis, a priestess of Apollo. This is a pivotal event that sparks the tiff between Achilles and Agamemnon, and ultimately leads to first the death of Patroclus, and then Achilles. If you know the Iliad, even the Marvel Comics version, then you know most of what happens.
The author does a rather good job, on the whole, of capturing the epic style of the Homeric tales. This is in spite of a huge number of typos and a few seeming anachronisms – would King Agamemnon really say "we’re in a pretty pickle"? However, the authentic sound of the prose was not entirely a good thing. I found that the formality of the style put a distance between the reader and the characters. I never quite connected to Antilochus in the way I would have liked.
Of course, a lot of this is because the author doesn’t really share much of what Antilochus is feeling. He’s very good at bringing alive the blood-lust and fog of battle with some rather eloquent prose, but when it comes to love – what the book is supposed to be about – Antilochus gets very terse and even downright vague. You would expect someone so besotted with a man that when he and Achilles do couple, even if it’s not as lovers, you would think he would go on and on about it. But Antilochus gives us little more than a sentence or two. He has flings with others on occasion, but says no more about them and sometimes simply infers that he’s slept with a man without really coming out and saying it.
As for Achilles, he never really becomes a fully fleshed character. He remains more the mythical abstract object of Antilochus’ obsession rather than a real person, or demi-god. While Achilles is the key character in the story, he doesn’t actually appear in person that much. We spend more time getting to know Odysseus and King Agamemnon. In many ways, this book is more about the folly of war and the greed of men than about love, but then I don’t suppose many people would want to read a book titled "Agamemnon: A Drunken Sod."
Given the degree to which any discussion of love was avoided, in the end I’m not sure what the "Love Story" of the title is alluding to, even after reading the author’s afterword. Is it Antilochus’ unrequited obsession for Achilles? That never seemed real to me, and hardly qualifies as a love story. No, I have a hard time seeing this book as a love story, or a romance of any kind. It’s a capable, though unexceptionable, piece of classical literature with a slight homoerotic bent, which is why I’ve given it three stars.
The Greek era has always been one of my favorites for historical romance. Perhaps it’s because Mary Ranault’s Alexander books were the first historical novels with a gay bent I ever read, or maybe it’s just because it was a time when love between men was not only accepted, but almost expected. So I had high, perhaps unreasonable, hopes when offered "Achilles: A Love Story".
This is the story of Homer’s Iliad, re-told from the point of view of Antilochus, a prince, the son and heir of King Nestor of Pylos. The young prince has formed a sort of obsession with the already famous Achilles, who is only two years older. Antilochus comes off as a bit of a stalker at first, determined that one day he will meet the object of his desire, and they will instantly become lovers.
Then comes news of the impending war. Kind Agamemnon comes to Pylos to enlist King Nestor’s support in the war against Troy. Nestor somewhat reluctantly agrees. He and Odysseus then embark on a tour of the other Greek states to garner their support. One of the stops is to be Pythia, where the support of King Peleus and his son the mighty Achilles will be sought. Antilochus naturally jumps at the chance to finally meet his lover-to-be, and begs to go along. Of course, once the party lands in Pythia, Antilochus is slapped with the cold hard reality of Patroclus. Somehow, the fact that Achilles already had a lover to whom he was practically joined at the hip had escaped the young prince.
Antilochus is crushed, but he doesn’t give up the determination to one day make Achilles his. First though, there’s a war to fight. Nestor, Achilles and the rest of the Greeks take off to fight, while Antilochus is deemed too young and left behind in the care of his mother. The prince cools his heels in Pylos for eight long years. His mother won’t let him leave to join the war without word from his father, and Nestor never sends for his son.
Tired of waiting and anxious to partake of the glory of battle, as well as win the heart of Achilles, Antilochus arranges to make his way to Troy with the help of a sexy sea captain. Arriving in Troy, the prince faces the wrath of his father, but Achilles intervenes and it’s agreed that Antilochus will serve as Achilles’ squire. Actually, he will serve both Achilles and Patroclus since they live together. At first this seems like a boon, but faced with the obvious love the two have for each other every day does drive home how impossible Antilochus’ hopes are, although he never gives them up.
Not that Antilochus doesn’t get to experience what Achilles is like as a lover. Achilles and Patroclus seem to have an ‘open relationship’ and Achilles takes Antilochus from time to time when Patroclus isn’t around, and apparently Patroclus also beds the prince at least once. Achilles does teach Antilochus the art of warfare, and eventually the prince returns to his father’s service to lead his own battalion as captain.
Antilochus fights alongside Achilles on occasion, and he is there to witness the capture of Chryseis, a priestess of Apollo. This is a pivotal event that sparks the tiff between Achilles and Agamemnon, and ultimately leads to first the death of Patroclus, and then Achilles. If you know the Iliad, even the Marvel Comics version, then you know most of what happens.
The author does a rather good job, on the whole, of capturing the epic style of the Homeric tales. This is in spite of a huge number of typos and a few seeming anachronisms – would King Agamemnon really say "we’re in a pretty pickle"? However, the authentic sound of the prose was not entirely a good thing. I found that the formality of the style put a distance between the reader and the characters. I never quite connected to Antilochus in the way I would have liked.
Of course, a lot of this is because the author doesn’t really share much of what Antilochus is feeling. He’s very good at bringing alive the blood-lust and fog of battle with some rather eloquent prose, but when it comes to love – what the book is supposed to be about – Antilochus gets very terse and even downright vague. You would expect someone so besotted with a man that when he and Achilles do couple, even if it’s not as lovers, you would think he would go on and on about it. But Antilochus gives us little more than a sentence or two. He has flings with others on occasion, but says no more about them and sometimes simply infers that he’s slept with a man without really coming out and saying it.
As for Achilles, he never really becomes a fully fleshed character. He remains more the mythical abstract object of Antilochus’ obsession rather than a real person, or demi-god. While Achilles is the key character in the story, he doesn’t actually appear in person that much. We spend more time getting to know Odysseus and King Agamemnon. In many ways, this book is more about the folly of war and the greed of men than about love, but then I don’t suppose many people would want to read a book titled "Agamemnon: A Drunken Sod."
Given the degree to which any discussion of love was avoided, in the end I’m not sure what the "Love Story" of the title is alluding to, even after reading the author’s afterword. Is it Antilochus’ unrequited obsession for Achilles? That never seemed real to me, and hardly qualifies as a love story. No, I have a hard time seeing this book as a love story, or a romance of any kind. It’s a capable, though unexceptionable, piece of classical literature with a slight homoerotic bent, which is why I’ve given it three stars.
December 14, 2025
Antilochus gets blue balled by Achilles for almost 200 pages while he yearns even though this other guy wants him while its marked a love story we do not actually focus on the romance and many people complain on the lack of Patroclus but it makes sense as it’s told from Antilochus’s POV and he doesn’t interact with him much… maybe it shouldve been Achilles
Edit 1: I’m gonna do one of my really long reviews on this book soon but I am not exactly privy to Antilochus’s story enough to critique everything about his characterization in fact the characters are pretty accurate I mean in ways it seems like Patroclus is vilified and Achilles is made to seem better but it makes sense in the context that Antilochus is the one telling the story I like that it focused on a character not many really know it makes it pretty interesting but this book can also feel a little slow as it does just essentially recount the Iliad without much divergence so it can feel kind of flat in that regard so I feel like it depends on how you want your retellings to feel
I had to put a sticky note over the cover of this book for the entire time I read it because my friends were like freaking out that I would read this at school and it has an ancient Greek painting on it so his penis is showing so yk… got me into a little trouble
Edit 1: I’m gonna do one of my really long reviews on this book soon but I am not exactly privy to Antilochus’s story enough to critique everything about his characterization in fact the characters are pretty accurate I mean in ways it seems like Patroclus is vilified and Achilles is made to seem better but it makes sense in the context that Antilochus is the one telling the story I like that it focused on a character not many really know it makes it pretty interesting but this book can also feel a little slow as it does just essentially recount the Iliad without much divergence so it can feel kind of flat in that regard so I feel like it depends on how you want your retellings to feel
I had to put a sticky note over the cover of this book for the entire time I read it because my friends were like freaking out that I would read this at school and it has an ancient Greek painting on it so his penis is showing so yk… got me into a little trouble
February 16, 2024
antilochus if u do not evict yourself from patroclus and achilles’ grave i will do it for u
May 26, 2013
Homeric epic is a source that offers a lot to the author bent on reworking it: a splendidly tight plot with bigger than life, melodramatic characters moved by passions that move the earth and the heavens.
The other side of the coin is that it demands just as much.
In retelling the Iliad through the eyes of Antilochus, Mr Fone achieves some unquestionably beautiful pages detailing the folly of war and the vanity of human ambitions.
His output is far from even, though. Elsewhere, in fact, his writing remains cultured but fails to be as meaninful. A lot of pages are wasted in erudite descriptions that convey little or no emotion.
My guess is that he aims at showing how the greatest epic of the Western world is essentially based on common human beings, their deeds elevated to myth by time, chance and poetry despite the very human shortcomings of the men themselves.
So Agamemnon is a weak but tyrannical figure shadowed by a scheming Odysseus. The Greek leaders are held together by honour and tradition and not by respect for a leader who has forfeited his soul when he sacrificed his daughter.
While the spirit of the age (or what we construct to be the spirit of that age) is accurately portrayed, the tension falters when the author is dealing with his less than appealing characters. His writing is not tight, meaningful enough to make those -now very, very human- characters really interesting or moving.
Antilochus is a very modern character in his sentimental obsession which he knows from the start to be unreasonable and doomed. He knows that even before actually meeting Achilles and seeing him with Patroclus and yet he is incapable of renouncing it, not even when facing death.
Such a modern approach to what, after all, is the lead and narrator of "A Love Story" is unexpected and possibly unwelcome.
The only real love in the story ends by being that between Achilles and Patroclus and even this passion is only seen through the eyes of the frustrated Antilochus and tainted by the final dialogue between the two.
Failing both to move his reader with Romantic characters and to interest him with an evenly powerful style the authors delivers a dissatisfying story with a lot of unfulfilled potential.
As other reviewers -not many- have pointed out, sex scenes are particularly curt and stilted. Nobody is asking for outright erotica of course but depth of feeling might be in order in a "love story".
By comparison most reviewers have complained about typos and I must do that as well. There are still many of them and there should have been enough time for an edited version to be published.
There also seem to be problems with tenses: as a non native speaker I am not entirely sure but there are several sentences where I expected different forms of the verb.
The other side of the coin is that it demands just as much.
In retelling the Iliad through the eyes of Antilochus, Mr Fone achieves some unquestionably beautiful pages detailing the folly of war and the vanity of human ambitions.
His output is far from even, though. Elsewhere, in fact, his writing remains cultured but fails to be as meaninful. A lot of pages are wasted in erudite descriptions that convey little or no emotion.
My guess is that he aims at showing how the greatest epic of the Western world is essentially based on common human beings, their deeds elevated to myth by time, chance and poetry despite the very human shortcomings of the men themselves.
So Agamemnon is a weak but tyrannical figure shadowed by a scheming Odysseus. The Greek leaders are held together by honour and tradition and not by respect for a leader who has forfeited his soul when he sacrificed his daughter.
While the spirit of the age (or what we construct to be the spirit of that age) is accurately portrayed, the tension falters when the author is dealing with his less than appealing characters. His writing is not tight, meaningful enough to make those -now very, very human- characters really interesting or moving.
Antilochus is a very modern character in his sentimental obsession which he knows from the start to be unreasonable and doomed. He knows that even before actually meeting Achilles and seeing him with Patroclus and yet he is incapable of renouncing it, not even when facing death.
Such a modern approach to what, after all, is the lead and narrator of "A Love Story" is unexpected and possibly unwelcome.
The only real love in the story ends by being that between Achilles and Patroclus and even this passion is only seen through the eyes of the frustrated Antilochus and tainted by the final dialogue between the two.
Failing both to move his reader with Romantic characters and to interest him with an evenly powerful style the authors delivers a dissatisfying story with a lot of unfulfilled potential.
As other reviewers -not many- have pointed out, sex scenes are particularly curt and stilted. Nobody is asking for outright erotica of course but depth of feeling might be in order in a "love story".
By comparison most reviewers have complained about typos and I must do that as well. There are still many of them and there should have been enough time for an edited version to be published.
There also seem to be problems with tenses: as a non native speaker I am not entirely sure but there are several sentences where I expected different forms of the verb.
March 17, 2020
I have a feeling that this will definitely be THE worst re-telling of Homer's Iliad that I have and will read. The grammatical mistakes are just embarrassing, the love story seems very perfunctory and fake. No matter how many "tantalizing" hints the author detected from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, the whole story just reads very loosely fabricated. There is no "love" in this love story, the male protagonist, aka Antilochus was just a awkward, pathetic, potential home-wrecker / sex toy who constantly hovered above Achilles and Patroclus, just because he fancied himself to be the worthy partner of Achilles. Nowadays we call that kind of person stalkers and file restraining order against them. The writing is most of the time cheesy and pretentious. In a word, the author has chosen a rather uncommon and no doubt difficult angel to re-tell this story, but sadly he has no capability nor imagination to accomplish it. Waste of time. Do not recommend.
December 29, 2018
3,5/5. A very good retelling of the Trojan war! I was very surprised; from the title and the goodreads summary, one would expect a retelling of Achilles and Patroclus’ love story. It is, but through Antilochus’ (desperately-in-love-with-Achilles-the-myth) point of view, most of the time. Very well written and I couldn’t help but shed a tear at Patroclus’ death because he is my sweet little cupcake.
September 18, 2011
Full disclosure: I am the author, but the following reviewed Achilles: A Love Story on Amazon.com and gave it 5 stars. I note that by clicking on 5 stars above.
Praise for Achilles: A Love Story
"Reading Achilles: A Love Story you'll be on an unforgettable journey which will, in one way or another, touch your heart. I already know that I'll read this book more than once."--Ron Notto
"The depth of feeling, breadth of knowledge and sheer story-telling artistry are remarkable. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a love story, filled with passion and steeped in vivid historical detail."--Dr SHF
"More than I expected. The title of this book, and its categorization by Amazon, suggested a quickie gay romance novel, with lots of man-to-man sex. What I got instead was a beautifully written retelling of a beautiful story, the Iliad, from a homoerotic perspective." --H. Michael Starr
"This book is modern in every sense-- as love and loss remain universal themes that move, entertain and enthrall. If you read nothing else this summer- read this. I defy you to not be moved by it."--Joseph Best
"The book's real power is in reconstructing a mythical epoch in such a realistic way, that you are left convinced that the ancients truly lived among the sights and sounds the author so adeptly describes" --Richard
"Achilles: A Love Story is an unapologetic celebration of male love and valour. If you are a devotee of history, fiction, romance, and a dared good read, I highly recommend "Achilles: A love story" as the fulfillment of them all. Five stars." -- Gerry A. Burnie
"Achilles: A Love Story brings alive from antiquity the passions of love and war. Byrne Fone makes these iconic characters and events profoundly knowable and relevant. Whether Homer's Iliad is well trodden ground or uncharted territory, you're in for a vivid, engaging and thoroughly satisfying story."--PSN
Byrne Fone is also the author of "Trojan Women," "War Stories," and "American Revolution: (Keywords: Novel, Gay, American, President)"
Praise for Achilles: A Love Story
"Reading Achilles: A Love Story you'll be on an unforgettable journey which will, in one way or another, touch your heart. I already know that I'll read this book more than once."--Ron Notto
"The depth of feeling, breadth of knowledge and sheer story-telling artistry are remarkable. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a love story, filled with passion and steeped in vivid historical detail."--Dr SHF
"More than I expected. The title of this book, and its categorization by Amazon, suggested a quickie gay romance novel, with lots of man-to-man sex. What I got instead was a beautifully written retelling of a beautiful story, the Iliad, from a homoerotic perspective." --H. Michael Starr
"This book is modern in every sense-- as love and loss remain universal themes that move, entertain and enthrall. If you read nothing else this summer- read this. I defy you to not be moved by it."--Joseph Best
"The book's real power is in reconstructing a mythical epoch in such a realistic way, that you are left convinced that the ancients truly lived among the sights and sounds the author so adeptly describes" --Richard
"Achilles: A Love Story is an unapologetic celebration of male love and valour. If you are a devotee of history, fiction, romance, and a dared good read, I highly recommend "Achilles: A love story" as the fulfillment of them all. Five stars." -- Gerry A. Burnie
"Achilles: A Love Story brings alive from antiquity the passions of love and war. Byrne Fone makes these iconic characters and events profoundly knowable and relevant. Whether Homer's Iliad is well trodden ground or uncharted territory, you're in for a vivid, engaging and thoroughly satisfying story."--PSN
Byrne Fone is also the author of "Trojan Women," "War Stories," and "American Revolution: (Keywords: Novel, Gay, American, President)"
May 2, 2014
Although I did really enjoy this novel I can only give it three and a half stars because I think I wanted more Patroclus. He is my favourite character and I missed the interaction with him. However Fone has created an incredible re telling of Homer's Iliad by portraying of Antiochus, son of King Nestor of Pylos. At first this character is seen as naive in his love for the myth of Achilles, however as he grows after being at war for three years, he knows that he is in love with a myth that will never love him back. He could have lovers but his heart and devotion is on Achilles and his bones are buried with Achilles and Patroclus.
I enjoy the romantic stories of legendary Greek heroes, and their male lovers, especially Patroclus and Achilles. In this book the characters are seen as more human in their weakness, especially Agamemnon who is arrogant and just wants gold and women. He is a disgraceful king only keeping his men through Odysseus cleaver words. Achilles for me is seen as more cruel in this novel than others I have read especially towards the end.
Overall a good read but something was still lacking for me.
I enjoy the romantic stories of legendary Greek heroes, and their male lovers, especially Patroclus and Achilles. In this book the characters are seen as more human in their weakness, especially Agamemnon who is arrogant and just wants gold and women. He is a disgraceful king only keeping his men through Odysseus cleaver words. Achilles for me is seen as more cruel in this novel than others I have read especially towards the end.
Overall a good read but something was still lacking for me.
September 25, 2018
Narrated by the young and passionate prince Antilochlus, this book presents a completely new and different perspective of the Trojan War, making it a must read for fans of Homer's epic tale!
Author Bryne Fone paints a vivid image of life in ancient Greece, placing the reader on the beaches of Troy alongside legendary heroes Achilles, Odysseus, Ajax, Diomedes, Menelaus, and Idomeneus. Fone does these larger-than-life characters justice with rewarding depth and previously unseen personalities. Most impressive was Fone's realistic portrayal of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, aligning the duo with what academics agree were the widely practiced social norms between the men of ancient Greece. (I.E. - homosexual relationships).
Despite an abundance of grammatical errors, the beauty of history's most epic tale is truly felt, making for an exhilarating and fulfilling read.
Author Bryne Fone paints a vivid image of life in ancient Greece, placing the reader on the beaches of Troy alongside legendary heroes Achilles, Odysseus, Ajax, Diomedes, Menelaus, and Idomeneus. Fone does these larger-than-life characters justice with rewarding depth and previously unseen personalities. Most impressive was Fone's realistic portrayal of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, aligning the duo with what academics agree were the widely practiced social norms between the men of ancient Greece. (I.E. - homosexual relationships).
Despite an abundance of grammatical errors, the beauty of history's most epic tale is truly felt, making for an exhilarating and fulfilling read.
March 16, 2013
Interesting way that Byrne Fone approached this book (discussed in the epilogue): He took some items from Iliad and Odyssey and expands upon the three characters' stories. He writes mostly from Antilochus' voice as the narrator. There are good battle scenes and political exposition about the kings and their armies. The interactions among Achilles, Patroclus and Antilochus deepen the ideas that these three were intertwined in the Trojan battles. I liked his explorations of love among men and how their stories have been told (or not) in literature since ancient times.
December 10, 2023
Achilles: A Love Story was an interesting retelling of the grief and rage of Achilles, as well as the Trojan War as a whole. I appreciated the character arc of the narrator, Antilochus, as well as the obvious tenderness between Achilles and Patroclus, one of the most famous pair of lovers ever. However, there were multiple grammatical errors in the novel, which exemplifies bad editing. Additionally, I was disappointed with the lack of characterization of Patroclus and wanted to read more of him through this authors perspective. Overall, I would rate this book a 3/5, still a very good read! Would recommend to any person wanting to delve into different POVs of the Iliad.
September 22, 2017
Loved it!
Read in one sitting - I couldn't put it down! Great writing though I longed for just a little more "heat". But a love story indeed! I truly enjoyed this book. 5 tragic but beautiful stars!
Read in one sitting - I couldn't put it down! Great writing though I longed for just a little more "heat". But a love story indeed! I truly enjoyed this book. 5 tragic but beautiful stars!
November 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this one. Very interesting take on the characters. Would loved it to have been longer!
January 10, 2011
I greatly enjoy the romantic stories of legendary Greek heroes, especially if they do not shy away or gloss over the practice of pederastric love between men. Supported by both historical fact and legend, the reality is that such liaisons were encouraged as a means of schooling younger men (the “eromenos”), and bonding warriors together; first in bed and then on the battlefield—for example, The Sacred Band of Thebes. To his credit, Byrne Fone does not shy away from this topic. In fact, “Achilles: A love story” [CreateSpace, 2010] is an unapologetic celebration of male love and valour.
The story follows Homer’s poetic version of ‘The Fall of Troy’ (the Illiad), but for the semblance of detail Fone has created a fictional chronicler, Dionysos of Tenedos. It is a clever device that effectively fills-in the gaps in Homer’s overview.
Another clever device is his decision to narrate the story in the first-person voice of Antilochus, son of King Nestor of Pylos [See the excavation of his palace at right]. In Homer’s Illiad Antilochus has the unenviable task of informing Achilles of Patroclus’ death, and after his death Antilochus was the closest to Achilles. “Indeed,” as Fone notes, “the reliance becomes more intimate, for Homer says that Antilochus’ ashes were interred in the great tomb on the Trojan Shore along with those of Achilles and Patroclus. Thereafter, as Homer notes in the Odyssey, the three friends are reunited in the underworld and walk together in the eternal fields.”
Quite apart from Homer’s ageless epic, however, Professor Fone has done a masterful job of fleshing out his characters in all their heroic proportions, as well as their human weaknesses. Agememnon, for example, has been lionized as a king among kings for centuries, and yet his character is far more believable as the self-promoting, glory-seeker by which Fone has depicted him.
Similarly, the legendary Achilles may have been physically invulnerable—except for his ‘Achilles’ heel’—but emotionally he is described as being quite prone to petulance, uncontrollable rages and fathomless love. In other words he is only half divine, as Fone has realistically made him out to be.
So, if you are a devotee of history, fiction, romance, and a darned good read, I highly recommend “Achilles: A love story” as the fulfilment of them all. Five stars.
Gerry B.
http://www.gerryburniebooks.com
The story follows Homer’s poetic version of ‘The Fall of Troy’ (the Illiad), but for the semblance of detail Fone has created a fictional chronicler, Dionysos of Tenedos. It is a clever device that effectively fills-in the gaps in Homer’s overview.
Another clever device is his decision to narrate the story in the first-person voice of Antilochus, son of King Nestor of Pylos [See the excavation of his palace at right]. In Homer’s Illiad Antilochus has the unenviable task of informing Achilles of Patroclus’ death, and after his death Antilochus was the closest to Achilles. “Indeed,” as Fone notes, “the reliance becomes more intimate, for Homer says that Antilochus’ ashes were interred in the great tomb on the Trojan Shore along with those of Achilles and Patroclus. Thereafter, as Homer notes in the Odyssey, the three friends are reunited in the underworld and walk together in the eternal fields.”
Quite apart from Homer’s ageless epic, however, Professor Fone has done a masterful job of fleshing out his characters in all their heroic proportions, as well as their human weaknesses. Agememnon, for example, has been lionized as a king among kings for centuries, and yet his character is far more believable as the self-promoting, glory-seeker by which Fone has depicted him.
Similarly, the legendary Achilles may have been physically invulnerable—except for his ‘Achilles’ heel’—but emotionally he is described as being quite prone to petulance, uncontrollable rages and fathomless love. In other words he is only half divine, as Fone has realistically made him out to be.
So, if you are a devotee of history, fiction, romance, and a darned good read, I highly recommend “Achilles: A love story” as the fulfilment of them all. Five stars.
Gerry B.
http://www.gerryburniebooks.com
June 9, 2016
The Golden Age of Greece: a never-ending source of adventure and delight. This book offers yet another slant on the age old saga of the Trojan War. I have to admit, i was expecting an adequately written book, threaded with homoerotic accounts and romances, that I would hate myself for taking the time to read. Still, we boys need our Shades of Gay from time to time. To my surprise, I just finished an excellently researched book, well-written novel with just enough spice to keep me interested up until the very last page. There was just enough romance and erotic that I prayed the story would turn out differently: a trio of star stuck warriors sailing off to Mykonos to live happily ever after. Like when you see a Romeo and Juliette for the umpteenth time and the production is so unique and gripping, you end up hoping it might turn out differently this time. Alas! What can't change history and a tragedy, no matter how well reworked, remains a tragedy.The end is written in time. The difference is, Homer didn't move me to tears, and this book did. There was just enough romance to make me feel like I suffered the tragic ends of three heroes. Thank you Byrne Fone for making the characters real enough to open my heart, the story just that much different to keep my interest peaked until the end, the facts true to the point so I felt slightly more educated on this splendid story. After that horrible film, I was in dire need of this book to get me back on track!
September 21, 2011
It was broken up into quotes from the Iliad, followed by chapters narrated from Anitlochus' pov, who was secretly in love with Achilles. A love that was hopeless and futile since Achilles loved only one person.....Patroclus.
It gave a new insight into the 10 years seige at walls of Troy. From Antiloch perspective the difficulties with Agemmenon, the army, Achilles, the power struggles, the priests, the plague. Antilochus shows us the madness of Agammenon and the years of waiting at the walls of Troy.
It is a bird's eye view of what happened before Patroclus was murdered by Hector and how events unfolded quickly after that.
Well written in a format that was easy to digest and appreciated.
I think the only downfall is that the author should have proof-read his book a little better. It did interfere with reading it...but I enjoyed it all the same.
It gave a new insight into the 10 years seige at walls of Troy. From Antiloch perspective the difficulties with Agemmenon, the army, Achilles, the power struggles, the priests, the plague. Antilochus shows us the madness of Agammenon and the years of waiting at the walls of Troy.
It is a bird's eye view of what happened before Patroclus was murdered by Hector and how events unfolded quickly after that.
Well written in a format that was easy to digest and appreciated.
I think the only downfall is that the author should have proof-read his book a little better. It did interfere with reading it...but I enjoyed it all the same.
March 24, 2012
You would think there were lots of books about the love between Achilles and Patroclus.. but i guess the hero worshippers don't want to think about them as gay. This book is one that sees that relationship as a love match. it is beautifully written, beery moving , and plenty full of the Trogan War. About time we stop shsying away from what really ahppened.
October 28, 2012
This is a great retelling of part of the Trojan War epic, one of a trilogy this author has written. The character development was great, and puts the reader into the mindset of a believer of Greco-Roman religion in a way reminiscent of Gore Vidal's "Julian." The Achilles' Heel here is the fact that this book DESPERATELY needs a better edition. The book's typos jumped out at me.
April 16, 2014
A retelling of the Illiad, from a single point of view; Antilochus, son of Nestor, and tragically in Love with Achilles, who loves another, Patroclus. This homoerotic filter to the story does this great tale of love and tragedy true justice: Check out my full review Achilles: A Love Story
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