Madeline Miller reimagines mythological tales with fresh perspectives. Her novels The Song of Achilles and Circe blend engaging storytelling with vivid portrayals of legendary characters.
If you enjoy reading books by Madeline Miller then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s modern take on Greek mythology may find Natalie Haynes’ novels equally absorbing. Haynes is a talented British author known for bringing fresh perspective to ancient myths.
Her book A Thousand Ships retells the story of the Trojan War through the eyes of women characters often overlooked in traditional versions. The narrative shifts between well-known figures like Penelope and Helen to lesser-known voices such as Briseis and Cassandra.
Each woman shares her own powerful story of loss, courage, and endurance during devastating war times. Through these vivid portrayals, Haynes offers readers a deeper, emotionally rich perspective on familiar myths.
Books by Jennifer Saint are perfect for readers who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s storytelling style. In her novel Ariadne, Saint brings life to a character from Greek mythology who is often overshadowed by heroes and gods.
Ariadne is a princess of Crete who risks everything for love when she helps Theseus navigate the deadly labyrinth to confront the fearsome Minotaur.
Saint vividly explores Ariadne’s courage, sacrifice, and struggle against fate, all set against the backdrop of mythological drama and tragedy. The characters and story have depth and heart, much in the spirit of Miller’s Circe.
Readers who enjoy Madeline Miller’s fresh takes on classic mythology might find Pat Barker equally captivating. Barker is a British novelist celebrated for bringing powerful perspectives to ancient stories.
Her novel The Silence of the Girls revisits the Trojan War from the eyes of Briseis, a queen turned captive. Unlike many traditional tellings that focus on male heroes, this narrative sheds light on the experiences and inner lives of women during wartime.
Barker’s storytelling is raw, engaging, and emotionally charged, offering a unique spin on myths readers thought they knew well.
Books by Stephen Fry offer a witty, refreshing take on mythology and storytelling that fans of Madeline Miller might appreciate. His book Mythos brings Greek mythology vividly to life, retold with humor and accessible language.
Fry presents familiar characters like Zeus, Athena, and Prometheus, showing them in playful yet authentic portrayals. In one memorable episode, he recounts Prometheus’s daring theft of fire from the gods to aid humanity, capturing both the humor and drama of the tale.
For readers who enjoyed Miller’s nuanced reinterpretations in Circe or The Song of Achilles, Stephen Fry’s engaging style provides a similarly inviting way to revisit ancient myths.
Readers who enjoyed Madeline Miller’s thoughtful retellings of classical myths may find Mary Renault equally appealing. Renault brings the ancient world to life with vivid detail and authentic characters.
In her book, The King Must Die, Renault reimagines the old myth of Theseus as a realistic historical novel. She takes us into the early life of Theseus, a young man determined to uncover his identity and fulfill his purpose.
The quest takes him from his small village in Troizen to a dynamic but dangerous Crete, home of the notorious labyrinth and its bull-dancers. Renault carefully weaves adventure, romance, and political intrigue, giving deeper humanity to legendary figures.
For readers drawn to myth and ancient tales, Renault’s writing offers a fresh perspective rich in historical authenticity.
Ursula K. Le Guin is an author known for her thoughtful storytelling, vivid imagination, and deep exploration of human nature. Readers who appreciated Madeline Miller’s fresh take on mythology and powerful character studies may find Le Guin similarly compelling.
One of her most celebrated novels, The Left Hand of Darkness, follows diplomat Genly Ai on his mission to the distant planet Gethen. There he encounters a society quite unlike anything he’s known—one whose people can choose and change their gender.
As he navigates shifting politics and harsh landscapes, Genly faces challenges that test his beliefs and redefine his understanding of friendship and humanity.
The novel combines imaginative world-building with profound reflections on identity, society, and connection, making it an ambitious and unforgettable read.
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author known for her vivid storytelling and thought-provoking themes. Her novel The Penelopiad offers readers a fresh perspective on the ancient Greek tale of Odysseus, retold through the eyes of his wife, Penelope.
Atwood gives Penelope her own distinct voice and reveals the struggles she endured while her husband fought in the Trojan War and wandered the seas. The narrative also spotlights the twelve maids who, in Homer’s original tale, faced harsh punishments without explanation.
Fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe who enjoy strong characters, relatable emotions, and powerful reinterpretations of mythological stories may find Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad equally captivating.
Susanna Clarke brings magic and history together beautifully in her novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Set in England during the Napoleonic Wars, the story focuses on two magicians aiming to restore real magic to society.
Jonathan Strange is daring, imaginative, and drawn to risky adventures, while Gilbert Norrell is conservative, scholarly, and cautious. Their conflicting personalities lead to tension that shapes the course of English history.
Through rich historical detail and a fascinating blend of fantasy and reality, Clarke immerses her readers in an alternate past filled with subtle humor and mysterious enchantments fans of Madeline Miller will appreciate.
If you enjoy Madeline Miller’s rich storytelling and mythical journeys, you might also appreciate Naomi Novik. Novik is known for reimagining fairy tales and folklore with fresh perspectives and compelling characters.
Her novel Uprooted follows Agnieszka, a young woman from a quiet village chosen by the mysterious wizard known only as the Dragon. Every ten years, he selects a young woman from the village—no one knows exactly why.
Agnieszka soon discovers that her own talents are intertwined with ancient magic, dark forests, and dangers she never imagined. With beautiful prose and vivid storytelling, Novik creates a magical world that readers of Miller’s works will enjoy exploring.
Books by Kamila Shamsie often explore themes of history, mythology, and cultural identity with a deep, emotional power that fans of Madeline Miller might appreciate.
Her novel Home Fire tells the story of three British-Pakistani siblings whose lives become intertwined with issues of loyalty, family bonds, and political conflict. The story draws inspiration from the classic tragedy Antigone.
It transforms the ancient plot into a gripping contemporary tale about love, sacrifice, and the personal struggles within a Muslim immigrant family living in London. Shamsie’s writing vividly portrays her characters and captures the reader’s emotions from beginning to end.
Colm Tóibín is an Irish author known for bringing fresh life to ancient myths and historical stories, much in the way Madeline Miller does. His novel House of Names revisits the tragic myth of Agamemnon’s family from a powerful new angle.
He introduces us to Clytemnestra, a mother deeply betrayed, as she plots vengeance for the death of her daughter Iphigenia. Tóibín portrays Clytemnestra not as villain but as a layered, complex figure shaped by grief, anger, and inner strength.
He offers readers a vivid look into the emotional struggles behind legendary characters, perfect for those who enjoyed the human depth and rich storytelling in Miller’s Circe or The Song of Achilles.
Books by David Malouf often explore ancient myths through a fresh and thoughtful perspective. In his novel Ransom, Malouf reimagines a poignant episode from Homer’s Iliad.
King Priam of Troy sets out on an unusual journey to ransom the body of his son Hector from Achilles, the Greek warrior who took his life. Malouf vividly portrays the humanity and vulnerability of characters traditionally depicted as larger-than-life heroes.
The book captures moments of quiet reflection, highlighting the personal stories behind epic legends. Readers who appreciated Madeline Miller’s insightful retellings might find a similar emotional depth and richness in Malouf’s portrayal of mythological figures.
Claire Heywood is an author who breathes new life into ancient myths, similar to Madeline Miller’s vivid retellings. In her novel Daughters of Sparta, she steps into the world of ancient Greece to explore the lives of Helen and Klytemnestra.
Heywood portrays the sisters as complex, real women facing challenges beyond the myths we know. We see them wrestling with choices between duty and desire, navigating family loyalties, and confronting the limits of their own agency.
The story shows us the human sides of famous figures from Greek mythology. Anyone who enjoyed Miller’s Circe or The Song of Achilles will find something to love in Daughters of Sparta.
Readers who enjoy Madeline Miller might also appreciate Hannah Lynn. Lynn offers fresh retellings of classic myths and legends with a modern and nuanced portrayal of familiar characters. In her book Athena’s Child, readers follow the powerful yet tragic story of Medusa.
Medusa, once admired for her beauty, suffers an unjust curse from Athena. Lynn skillfully portrays Medusa as more than just a monster with snakes for hair. Instead, readers experience her struggle, isolation, and the complexity behind her infamous fate.
This rich narrative gives voice and depth to a misunderstood figure from ancient mythology.
Genevieve Gornichec is a writer who blends mythology and powerful storytelling to craft novels readers of Madeline Miller may appreciate.
In her book The Witch’s Heart, she brings to life the less-known Norse myth of Angrboda, a witch with mysterious powers who survives against the odds. After being punished by Odin, Angrboda escapes into the remote woods, where she forms a surprising bond with Loki.
They start a complicated yet fascinating relationship and have children whose destinies are tied to the fate of the gods. The book explores themes of love, motherhood, and defiance, offering readers an immersive journey through Norse mythology from a fresh viewpoint.