In an increasingly competitive market where only a few selected authors can enjoy widespread acclaim, Madeline Miller has become a household name in literature with only two published novels.
It’s a surprisingly small repertoire for a contemporary author with her acclaim—particularly in a world that values quantity and frequent output. Nonetheless, this only speaks volumes about the quality poured by Miller’s pen into each page.
Renowned for her enchanting prose and reimagining of ancient tales, Madeline Miller’s books have become must-reads for anyone seeking familiar narratives in an entirely new—and captivating—manner.
- Who Is Madeline Miller?
- What To Expect from Madeline Miller Books
- All Madeline Miller Books To Date
- Madeline Miller’s Upcoming Books
- How Do You Read Madeline Miller’s Books in Order?
- Who Should Read Madeline Miller’s Books?
Who Is Madeline Miller?
It would not be an understatement to say Miller has dedicated most of her life to the classics.
Her librarian mother began reading The Iliad to her when she was five, sparking her interest in learning Latin at 11 and eventually leading to a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Classics. Likewise, she taught and tutored Latin, Greek, and Shakespeare to high school students for over ten years.
Her personal interests, academic background, and professional life all converged and drove her to writing. Eventually, she conceptualized and reimagined the tales of old that she already loved, leading to her main body of work—retellings of Greek mythology.
What To Expect from Madeline Miller Books
Madeline Miller’s books do not aim to reinvent the wheel, nor do they seek to replace the importance of the classics that inspired her. Instead, she aims to focus on the voices otherwise drowned in the vast epic nature of the narratives they come from.
Her novels are retellings that bring down larger-than-life figures and make them more human and, surprisingly, relatable. The stories are intimate, personal, and character-driven narratives that just so happen to take place in the middle of grand-scale settings, such as the ubiquitous Trojan War.
Overall, Madeline Miller’s books offer retellings of stories you may or may not know but invite you to take a deeper look, recontextualize what you see, and interpret the history behind it with a contemporary lens.
All Madeline Miller Books To Date
As of the publication date of this article, Madeline Miller has an impactful yet short repertoire consisting of two novels, two short stories, and a plethora of non-fiction essays.
Her novels are The Song of Achilles and Circe, and her two short stories are Galatea and Heracles’ Bow.
The Song of Achilles
(2011)
Upon being exiled from his kingdom, young Patroclus connects with fellow prince Achilles, the demigod son of King Peleus from Pththia, and the immortal Thetis. Achilles is everything Patroclus is not—he is strong, charming, and beautiful. Contrastingly, Patroclus is awkward and does not fit in.
But like magnets, their differences attract them. Soon, they form an inseparable friendship and a bond that grows even further. But as news of the kidnapping of Helen of Sparta reaches them, Achilles’ pursuit of glory makes him march forward to war—with Patroclus following him out of love and a foreboding sense of doom.
The Song of Achilles is a rendering of the Trojan War as narrated by Patroclus—his eyes witnessing the epic events of The Iliad by simply following Achilles with his gaze. The familiar tale that many know about turns intimate and personal as readers witness the romance between Patroclus and Achilles and their unchanging fate. Being one of the best LGBTQ+ books, it may captivate your attention.
Circe
(2018)
Circe is the daughter of the beautiful Oceanid Perse and the mighty sun titan Helios, yet somehow fails to live up to either’s grandness. Apparently unremarkable, she soon ends up interacting with humans to feel companionship—only to be the first to discover magic, potions, and the art of witchcraft.
Her magic is powerful and threatening, so she soon ends up facing against gods, men, and even herself.
Circe is a novel that captures the character depicted in The Odyssey, as some have done before, and tells her story in a way that entices the reader to pose contemporary questions. It is not so much a feminist retelling as it is an active exploration of feminist topics through a reinterpretation of ancient Greek tales. It’s a parable for the complexities of gender and power by exploring Circe herself—with her complexities, challenges, flaws, and virtues.
Short Story: Heracles’ Bow
The first of Miller’s two short stories, this one is not independently published. Instead, it is part of a Waterstones Special Edition of The Song of Achilles.
A brief tale of only a few pages, it focuses on Philoctetes during the Trojan War, primarily through introspective musings about his past, present, and future. Most of the dialogue comes from his memories, and the narrative is mainly framed through imaginary conversations with his departed friend and companion, Heracles.
Short Story: Galatea
A retelling of the famed tale of Galatea and Pygmalion, Galatea is as enchanting as it is haunting in its themes.
Pygmalion is a marble sculptor who has received a blessing from a goddess: life granted to the perfect woman he crafted from stone. But as Galatea comes alive, she develops thoughts and desires—a taste of the freedom Pygmalion’s control refuses to grant.
Madeline Miller’s Upcoming Books—And What To Expect
Considering that Madeline Miller took a decade to craft and finish The Song of Achilles and six years to hone Circe, it is clear that she must already be working on her next masterpiece.
Regarding Madeline Miller’s upcoming books, the author herself has teased two ongoing yet still unfinished projects that may come out soon. However, details are sparse.
Her first untitled project— revealed through an Interview with Bustle in 2019—departs from her Greek mythology repertoire and is expected to retell Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
However, in December 2021, Miller uploaded an Instagram post announcing that the Tempest retelling would have to wait as inspiration struck for a “Persephone” project. This led fans to believe her subsequent work would reimagine the Homeric Hymn to Demeter.
While it is unclear which of Madeline Miller’s upcoming books will be published first, fans can at least rest assured that something is brewing.
How Do You Read Madeline Miller’s Books in Order?
Luckily for readers uninterested in complex continuities, reading Madeline Miller’s books in order should not be a matter of concern—at least thus far.
Both published novels are stand-alone, and while they arguably take place in the same universe and continuity, you can read each individually without missing out on anything else.
The sole exception to this rule is the short story Hercules’ Bow, which takes place during the Trojan War and features some characters mentioned in The Song of Achilles, so it would be advisable to read both of them together.
However, if you’re interested in reading Madeline Miller’s books in order, publishing date might be your best bet.
- The Song of Achilles (2011)
- Short Story: Heracles’ Bow (2012)
- Short Story: Galatea (2013)
- Circe (2018)
Who Should Read Madeline Miller’s Books?
Written with awe-striking prose and clear adoration for the source material, Madeline Miller’s books are tailor-made for enthusiasts eager to read fresh and new spins on the Greek classics. Her stories are not perfect mimicry of previous tales—she adds twists, turns, and changes that enrich the world she has crafted, making readers reframe them under a modern lens.
However, this does not mean the books exclude those unfamiliar with Homer. Instead, each novel and story is crafted in an easy-to-understand manner to ensure new readers get interested in The Iliad or The Odyssey and the rich tales they depict.
Additionally, feel free to explore our previous articles to discover ideas for your next reads: best time travel books for every reader, best vacation books, best WLW books, and best BookTok books of 2023.
