THE SONG OF ACHILLES

POV: reading Song of Achilles in Greece, looking out at the sparkling Aegean, imagining the mythological characters alive among the islands. It was one of my favorite reading experiences ever! Is there anything better than enjoying a book set where you are on vacation?! (Even if the end makes you sob!)
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In this novel, Achilles - son of a sea goddess and a mortal king - meets Petroclus, who has been exiled from his homeland, when both are boys. Later as teens, their tender friendship develops into passion, despite the enraged jealousy of Achilles’s mother, and the looming war on the horizon. As they navigate Achilles’s ascent as the country’s greatest warrior, they face a prophecy that demands a fateful choice, and threatens to doom their love.
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This beloved novel is many things: a retelling of the Iliad, a coming of age love story, a war novel and a BookTok phenomenon (cue dramatic weeping). But Song of Achilles is not your run of the mill boy-meets-demigod romance: it deftly explores desire, hubris, and power. Although the author’s Circe is my favorite between the two, I was wholly drawn into the intensity of the characters’ relationship, and the sacrifices they must make to sustain it. 100% recommend reading this on site in Greece!
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In an early scene, Achilles is juggling figs, and as Petroclus admires his easygoing manner and athleticism, Achilles tosses one to Petroclus in a kind of mythological meet cute. Figs later become a recurring motif throughout the book - inspiring this fig and arugula flatbread with honey and pomegranate seeds. Perfectly inspired by this book and my trip to Greece - opa!

You can find a variation of this recipe here !