Emotional Parts in Madeline Miller Books

I’ve read Madeline Miller’s books, The Song of Achilles and Circe over the years and both were such amazing but emotional reads. While there were more than one part that made me emotional in both novels, there were definitely ones that stuck out more than others.

Spoilers ahead!

At the end of The Song of Achilles, it broke my heart when Patroclus and Achilles were being kept apart in the afterlife/underworld because Achille’s son wouldn’t let Patroclus’ name be put on Achilles’ tomb. After all they went through, to be kept apart in the afterlife just seemed so cruel. When Achilles’ mother finally adds his name to the tomb so that Patroclus’ spirit can rest and they can be reunited it was everything.

“In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out the sun.”

In Circe, Circe has a brief relationship with Daedalus. Later on she learns of how Daedalus and his son, whom he loved more than anything, escaped their imprisonment with wings that Daedalus had fashioned. He had warned his son from flying too close to the sun, but Icarus did, the wax melted from the wings and led to his death. Heartbroken, Daedalus did not live long after. Circe is heartbroken to hear of their fate.

“I had no right to claim him, I knew it. But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth. Such a constellation was he to me.”

It’s been a while since Madeline Miller released a novel and I hope she releases another one!