Author Guide
Madeline Miller Books in Order
The complete guide to Madeline Miller's mythology retellings — The Song of Achilles and Circe. Which to read first, and what makes her writing so unforgettable.
🏛️ Mythology Retelling
🏆 Orange Prize Winner
2 Novels
About Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller is an American author with a degree in Latin and Ancient Greek. She spent over a decade writing her debut novel while teaching high school Latin and drama — and the patience paid off. The Song of Achilles won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2012 and launched her career as one of the most acclaimed writers of mythological retellings.
Miller's books bring Greek myth to life not by reimagining the plot, but by diving deep into the inner lives of characters we thought we knew. She writes with a classical scholar's accuracy and a novelist's emotional intelligence — the result is mythology that feels urgent, contemporary, and devastating.
She took seven years between her debut and Circe (2018). Readers have been waiting for her third book ever since.
Which to read first? Both books stand alone. Read The Song of Achilles first for emotional impact and a more contained story. Read Circe first if you want a broader, more epic scope. Either order works — though many say Circe is the stronger book.
All Books
Debut Novel — 2011
The Song of Achilles
Orange Prize Winner 2012
The Iliad retold through the eyes of Patroclus — Achilles' companion, friend, and lover. A love story set against the backdrop of the Trojan War that's simultaneously faithful to the myth and completely heartbreaking. If you've ever wondered what the Iliad would feel like as a love story, this is the answer.
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Second Novel — 2018
Circe
New York Times #1 Bestseller
The story of Circe — the witch of Greek myth — from her birth among the immortal gods to her exile on an island where gods and mortals alike fear her power. Odysseus, the Minotaur, Medea, and the Sirens all pass through her story. More expansive and politically rich than The Song of Achilles. Widely considered Miller's masterpiece.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know Greek mythology to enjoy Madeline Miller's books?
No prior knowledge required. Miller writes for readers who've never read Homer alongside those who have. She provides all the context you need — and if you already know the myths, you'll get an extra layer of appreciation for how she subverts and enriches them.
Are Circe and The Song of Achilles connected?
They share the same mythology and world — Odysseus appears in both, for example — but they're completely separate stories that can be read in any order. There's no plot continuity between them.
Will Madeline Miller write a third book?
As of 2025, no third novel has been announced. Miller has mentioned working on something, but given the seven-year gap between her first two books, readers may be in for a wait. Follow her on social media for updates.