This quote isn't exactly atypical, but it's important to note the quote at the end of the book
pg 223 "...It re-enter the world of the Iliad to recount the story of Achilles, Patroclus and Hector, and, in a very different version form the original Priam's journey to the Greek camp. But its primary interest is in storytelling itself - why stories are told and why we need to hear them, how stories get change in the telling - and much of what it has to tell are untold tales' found only in the margins of earlier writers."
Also read bottom of page 215 - "As for all that has happened in these last hours, what a tale he will have to tell! He will tell it often over the years."
Then read page 216-219.
Remember that Somax is a character that Malouf introduced, whilst other characters are from the Iliad.
Somax's 'storytelling' to Priam when they're in the river is significant. It's important to note how Priam visualises Somax's stories so vividly and that stories how are told how the storyteller wants the story to be perceived