I’ve recently gotten back into reading novels after a long time of reading just non-fiction, and I loved Madeline Miller’s Circe — mainly because of how well-written it was and how well-characterized the characters and plot points were, even if I knew what would happen already (as a child I was a huge Greek mythology fan).
I have been reading Miller’s Song of Achilles but I have not been enjoying it as much — it feels less well-written and the main characters feel less characterized as those in Circe. Completely understandable given the fact that it was Miller’s first book (and I’m looking forward to her next book, which I hear is about Persephone!).
I was wondering if you all had any recommendations for well-written literary fiction in the vein of Circe? I have searched through the sub to find books like it and saw books in the “Greek mythology retelling” genre like Clytemnestra by Casati (which I haven’t read yet!), but what I’m looking for primarily is a very well written book before similarities in genre, potentially with a well-characterized female protagonist (and any recommendations for well-written “retelling” books would be appreciated too).
by problematickitten
8 Comments
The standout IMO book broadly in that realm is Glorious Exploits. It’s not founded in myth, but in actual historical Greek events, but it’s a little bit crazy and I found it well written.
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood.
Edith Wharton does great complex female characters, as does Lauren Groff – I’d check out Matrix or The Vaster Wilds.
Also would recommend Emily st John Mandel.
It’s been very hard for me to find anything in the vein of Circe, I think a lot of it had to do with the writers ability to make such an engaging story out of an empty island and 1 person primarily.
But “Mistress of Rome” by Kate Quinn was quite good from what I remember
I heartily recommend The Songs of Penelope by Claire North. It’s a trilogy, basically about Odysseus’ wife, while he was off odysseying. It’s written beautifully, in very much the same style as Circe.
Also recommend the books of Mary Renault, though it’s been so many years since I read them, I can’t remember a lot about them. Same vibe though.
Jennifer Saint has some good ones out.
I really enjoyed Kaikeyi by vaishnavi Patel
I liked Clytemnestra! Recently read Babylonia and also liked it. I find I prefer a casati’s books to saints’, but all good options.
You might also try some books by Lisa See…maybe Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane or Island of Sea Women or Lady Tan’s Circle of Women…or all of them…
Also big lover of Circe, loved Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno Garcia, and Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes (on the varied interpretations of Greek mythic women!)
The Women of Troy series by Pat Barker?