Yes, The Song of Achilles Is Banned!
ISBN: 9780062060624
📖 Why You Should Read This Book
Miller reimagined the Iliad as a love story between Achilles and Patroclus. It won the Orange Prize and made thousands of readers fall in love with ancient Greece.
The Song of Achilles retells Homer’s Iliad through the eyes of Patroclus, an awkward, exiled prince who befriends Achilles, the golden boy destined to become the greatest warrior of his generation. Their friendship deepens into love, and when they are called to fight in the Trojan War, Patroclus follows Achilles into a conflict that will define them both. Miller’s prose is luminous and devastating, turning a 3,000-year-old war story into an intimate love story.
Winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction and a massive BookTok favorite, the novel has been challenged for its sexual content (including explicit same-sex scenes), LGBTQ+ themes, and graphic depictions of war violence. It is one of the most frequently banned literary fiction titles in American libraries.
Why Was It Banned?
Where Was It Banned?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Song of Achilles banned?
Yes, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller has been banned or challenged in 11 documented instances across 3 states in the United States, including Texas, Florida, Utah. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.
Why was The Song of Achilles banned?
The Song of Achilles has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: Sexual Content, LGBTQ+ Content, Violence. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.
Where is The Song of Achilles banned?
As of 2025, The Song of Achilles has been banned or challenged in Texas, Florida, Utah. Notable bans include Keller ISD (2022), Escambia County School District (2023), Davis School District (2022).