The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a perfect example of a book that takes up the mythology theme and is like a time machine to the ancient past. This book is a romantic retelling of Greek mythology, specifically, where Achilles is highlighted as the best Greek. His life is sadly romanticized as he watches his lover Patroclus die in battle and avenges himself by taking revenge on Hector until the pair are ultimately reunited in the underworld. The Song of Achilles emphasizes mythological history and personal feelings.
The book rode a wave of popularity after going viral on BookTоk. Many readers liked the book because of the author's skillful description of the characters and the way she follows the poetry of prose and reveals the plot. The mysterious pace and language captivated readers, with bloodlust and lust at the heart of the story.
1. Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat
Similar to The Song of Achilles, Captive Prince depicts intimate relationships between men, focusing more on political intrigue and conflict. The book tells the story of Prince Damianos, who was betrayed by his half-brother, Kastor. The latter, in turn, seizes the throne and sends the Pricne to the Kingdom of Vere to be a pleasure slave to Prince Laurent. If this brief glimpse into the love story intrigues you, start reading it as soon as possible.
2. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
A Thousand Ships focuses on the stories of women during the war, while The Song of Achilles tells the story through the prism of male characters. Historical fiction retells the mythology of the ancient Greek and Roman Trojan War from the perspective of 25 mortal and immortal women. The epic places women, girls, and goddesses at the center of the greatest story of the Western world ever told.
3. Circe by Madeline Miller
Circe focuses on a mythological character and her personal development in the same way as The Song of Achilles. Circe is based on the path of a woman's independence in the world of gods and heroes. The protagonist, Circe, is the eldest child of the sun god Helios and the Oceanid Perseus, who is constantly ridiculed for her ugliness and powerlessness. “Every moment of my peace was a lie, for it came only at the gods' pleasure.”
4. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
The Silence of the Girls describes the Trojan War similarly to The Song of Achilles. However, The Silence of the Girls shows the events through the eyes of female slaves, such as Briseis, the queen of one of Troy's neighboring kingdoms, before Achilles sacked it and killed her family. Briseis becomes Achilles' concubine as a reward for the battle and must quickly adjust to living a radically different life as one of the many conquered women who serve the Greek army.
5. Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
Call Me by Your Name book, like The Song of Achilles, deals with the theme of love between men, but it is set in the modern world, not the mythological past. The main characters of the novel are Elio, a 17-year-old hopper, and Oliver, a 24-year-old scientist, who develop a romantic and sexual relationship. In addition to the book, you can also watch a movie by the same name and fully enjoy the plot of this masterpiece.
6. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
They Both Die at the End book is similar to The Song of Achilles in its tragic ending and depiction of a strong bond between the main characters. Yet it is set in the present day, not in antiquity. The book They Both Die at the End is about the lives of two teenagers, Mateo Torres and Rufus Emeterio, who learn through the mysterious organization Death-Cast that they have less than twenty-four hours to live. Adam Silvera, the author, strives to explore themes of mortality, love, and living life to its fullest in the face of death.
7. Ithaca by Patrick Dillon
Ithaca and The Song of Achilles both tell stories from ancient mythology, although Ithaca focuses more on the return of Odysseus and the life of Penelope. The Ithaca is a retelling of the Odyssey in which Telemachus and his mother Penelope have been living on Ithaca for sixteen years since his father first left to fight at Troy. The book is a great addition for those who love the original work and want to stretch their reading pleasure with a similar story.
8. Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood
Lies We Sing to the Sea is inspired by ancient Greek myths, like The Song of Achilles. However, Lies We Sing to the Sea focuses on a fictionalized story with elements of fantasy, where Ithaca has been cursed by the god Poseidon for centuries. Every year, 12 girls are sacrificed to the sea by hanging to avoid the god's wrath. However, one day, Poseidon spared a young girl named Leto, but she and a girl named Melantho have a task to complete.
9. A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance, like The Song of Achilles, depicts a story of male relationships against the backdrop of political and social challenges. It happens in a different fantasy world that is not related to mythology. The world of A Strange and Stubborn Endurance is extremely diverse, with a third gender, same-sex relationships, and transgender characters. The book explores the identity and dignity of the individual through the examples of the main characters, Velasin vin Aaro and Caethari Aeduria.
This selection is a treasure trove for fans of mythology and science fiction and people who want to read more books about same-sex relationships. The pages of some books will take you back in time, where you can witness the events of the Trojan War in the minds of different characters. And other books will help you understand the thoughts and emotions of men in love with each other. Choose and enjoy your next read.
