Shelf Help
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
What: “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller
Why: If, like me prior to diving into the rabbit hole from which I have just emerged, you are only vaguely familiar with the Greek myth of Achilles and Patroclus, “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller is an excellent place to start. She tells the story from Patroclus’ point of view, from his childhood through his experience in the Trojan War. Not to give any spoilers on this 2,500-plus-year-old tragedy, but the Trojan War does not end well for the lovers. It is a heart-wrenching tale of two people bound by fate. As storytelling goes, it is deliciously agonizing; you reach the halfway point in the book just as Achilles and Patroclus arrive at the war front. I listened to the audiobook, so that’s another five full hours of both reader and main characters knowing what awaits them. The anguish is palpable – read it and weep, literally.
Where: This is available as a print book, e-book and e-audiobook from the Monroe County Public Library system.
How: You can request books online by logging in to your account keyslibraries.org and get e-books and e-audiobooks 24/7 at estuff.keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org
Recommended by: Faith Price, branch manager, Big Pine Key Library branch
See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/shelf-help.
