The Song of Achilles: A Novel

“Still,” I said, “I must try. For my son.” It is impossible.

It seemed in those few moments as if time had been suspended, that the wave curling over us might never break. Pure delusion, of course. The future was hurtling towards us, Achilles’s life measured now in days not weeks.

Remembering another journey, long ago. When he rode up here with Galehaut, and Gwenhwyfar, fleeing from Arthur’s rage. Looking for sanctuary. Sanctuary that Kay wasn’t willing to give them. He’s never forgiven Kay for that. If Kay had just opened his hall to them, it could have prevented everything that came afterwards. But Kay had lain down his sw

‘Circe,’ he cried over the water between us. His voice rang the air like struck bronze. ‘My daughter came here.’