If you enjoy reading books by Madeline Miller then you might also like the following authors:
Natalie Haynes is an author who reimagines ancient myths in a modern and engaging way. Her book, “A Thousand Ships,” tells the story of the Trojan War from the perspective of women who were affected by it.
From Trojan queens to captured women waiting to be enslaved, the novel gives these often-overlooked voices a chance to be heard. It’s powerful and emotional, and it offers a fresh way of looking at the myths you might think you already know.
Pat Barker is a British author known for her powerful historical fiction. One of her remarkable works is “The Silence of the Girls.” The novel retells the story of the Trojan War through the perspective of Briseis, a woman enslaved by Achilles after he destroys her city.
It explores life in the Greek camp as Briseis navigates survival, loss, and her own voice in a world dominated by men and war. The book shines a light on the untold stories of women, focusing on their lives and experiences during times of conflict.
Colm Tóibín is an Irish author who writes stories that explore human emotions and relationships with a quiet intensity. One of his books, “The Song of Achilles,” reimagines the ancient Greek tale of Achilles and Patroclus.
It tells of their bond, woven with love and loyalty, against the backdrop of the Trojan War. Tóibín captures the blend of myth and humanity, focusing on the characters’ vulnerabilities and choices, which brings their world to life.
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author known for her imaginative storytelling and thought-provoking tales. One of her standout books is “The Penelopiad.”
It reimagines the story of Penelope from Greek mythology, giving her a voice as she reflects on her life and the events surrounding Odysseus’ absence.
Penelope shares her perspective on the Trojan War, her cleverness in dealing with persistent suitors, and her relationship with the twelve maids who were hanged. The story offers a different angle to these familiar myths, blending wit and tragedy in unexpected ways.
Fans of Madeline Miller’s retellings might appreciate how Atwood brings depth and complexity to ancient tales.
Jeanette Winterson is known for crafting stories with rich language and emotional depth. One of her most famous books, “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit,” tells the story of Jeanette, a young girl raised in a strict religious household.
As she grows up, she begins to question the beliefs forced on her, especially when she realizes she loves women. The book mixes humor with heartbreak, offering a look at identity, love, and the challenge of breaking away from expectations. It’s a story that stays with you.
Neil Gaiman is known for weaving mythology and folklore into modern stories. If you enjoyed Madeline Miller’s use of myths, you might like Gaiman’s “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.”
The book begins with a man visiting the area where he grew up, leading him to recall a strange and magical part of his childhood. A mysterious girl named Lettie Hempstock claims that her family’s pond is actually an ocean.
What follows is a mix of otherworldly danger and childhood wonder, with a sense that ancient forces are at play just beneath the surface of ordinary life. It’s a story about memory, fear, and the strangeness of growing up.
Anita Diamant is an author known for captivating historical fiction grounded in strong, vivid storytelling. Her novel “The Red Tent” reimagines the life of Dinah, a lesser-known figure from the Bible.
The story explores her relationships with her family, her time spent in the sacred red tent with the other women, and the betrayals that shape her life.
Diamant brings to life ancient customs and women’s experiences, shedding light on voices often overlooked in traditional narratives.
Mary Renault is known for her historical novels set in ancient Greece. One of her well-loved books, “The King Must Die,” reimagines the myth of Theseus, the hero who defeats the Minotaur.
The story paints him not as a larger-than-life figure but as a clever and determined man who rises to challenges. The book takes readers through his childhood, his journey to Crete, and his role in the famous bull-dancing rituals.
Renault’s vivid descriptions and attention to ancient culture create a world that feels alive and real. Fans of Madeline Miller will enjoy the human touch Renault gives to mythical figures.
Joanne Harris is an author who blends mythology, history, and vivid storytelling in her books. One of her standout novels, “The Gospel of Loki,” reimagines Norse myths through the eyes of the trickster god himself.
It’s told with wit and sharp humor, as Loki recounts his rise from chaos to becoming Odin’s blood brother and the eventual fall of the gods. The book makes you feel like Loki is speaking directly to you, offering his unapologetic version of events.
Fans of mythology with a twist might enjoy getting lost in her vibrant world.
David Malouf is an Australian author who brings mythology and history to life with vivid storytelling. One of his novels, “Ransom,” reimagines a moment in Homer’s *Iliad*. It focuses on King Priam’s journey to retrieve the body of his son, Hector, from Achilles.
Priam, stepping away from royal protocol, travels as a humble man to plead with the hero consumed by grief and rage. The story explores their shared humanity in the face of loss and the fragile bonds that can bridge even the deepest divides.
Malouf uses simple moments, like Priam riding in a cart with a commoner, to make the ancient world feel close and real. It’s a book about connection and what it means to try something different when everything feels broken.
Ann Patchett is a storyteller who often weaves human relationships with larger themes. Her book “Bel Canto” unfolds in a hostage situation at a birthday party in an unnamed South American country.
A famous opera singer performs at the gathering, when a rebel group storms the home and takes the guests captive. The story explores how strangers from different worlds connect under strange and tense circumstances.
If you enjoy books that focus on human bonds, this one might draw you in.
Emily St. John Mandel writes stories that feel timeless and full of meaning. One of her most well-known novels, “Station Eleven,” begins with a flu pandemic that wipes out most of the population. The story follows survivors in a world where modern life has disappeared.
A traveling orchestra and theater troupe roam through small communities, keeping art alive amid the ruins. The book weaves together the lives of characters from before and after the collapse, showing how they connect in unexpected ways.
It’s a story about memory, survival, and finding beauty in a broken world.
Donna Tartt writes stories that feel deeply layered and immersive.
One of her most well-known books, “The Secret History,” is about a group of clever but secretive college students who get wrapped up in a dark and dangerous situation after trying to live by their own set of moral rules.
The story is filled with classical references and sets a vivid academic atmosphere. If you enjoy the way Madeline Miller weaves mythology and timeless themes into her stories, Tartt’s storytelling might feel like a natural fit.
Ali Smith is a Scottish author with a knack for blending imagination and storytelling in unexpected ways. Her novel “How to Be Both” is a fascinating mix of two intertwined stories.
One follows a 15th-century Renaissance artist, Francesco del Cossa, who reflects on their life and work. The other focuses on George, a modern teenager coping with the loss of her mother.
The book plays with structure and perspective, as the two narratives mirror and inform each other, creating moments that feel both surprising and emotionally rich.
Kamila Shamsie is an author known for her rich storytelling and vivid sense of place. Her novel “Home Fire” reimagines the story of Antigone through the lives of a British-Pakistani family.
It explores themes like loyalty and the pull between personal desires and cultural expectations.
The story follows Isma, who heads to America after raising her younger siblings, and how their lives take unexpected turns when they become connected to the son of a controversial politician. It’s a book that lingers with you, full of tension and deeply human characters.