Next Read Club

Books Like The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller has a particular pull. The Trojan War retold through the eyes of Patroclus — Achilles's closest companion, and the great love of his life.

What tends to stick with readers is its emotional, romantic and heartbreaking feel. You know how it ends from history class. It will still destroy you. Below are 7 books that carry that feeling in different ways, matched on shared mood, themes and reading experience. The Song of Achilles is a medium, easy-paced read (reading level: beginner-friendly), so we've noted where each pick is quicker, slower or heavier.

Cover of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The book you loved

The Song of Achilles

Madeline Miller

7 books you might enjoy

  1. Cover of Circe by Madeline Miller

    1.

    Circe

    Madeline Miller

    Readers of The Song of Achilles will recognize the #mythology and #lush-prose tags here. It's a more demanding read than The Song of Achilles.

    Medium · Easy pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like Circe
  2. Cover of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

    2.

    The Night Circus

    Erin Morgenstern

    Like The Song of Achilles, The Night Circus is romantic. Expect a bigger commitment than The Song of Achilles.

    Long · Slow pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like The Night Circus
  3. Cover of Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

    3.

    Norwegian Wood

    Haruki Murakami

    Like The Song of Achilles, Norwegian Wood is emotional. It's a more demanding read than The Song of Achilles.

    Medium · Slow pace · Easy to follow

    Explore this book →Books like Norwegian Wood
  4. Cover of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

    4.

    The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

    Taylor Jenkins Reid

    If it was the emotional and romantic side of The Song of Achilles you loved, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo delivers it too. The pace is faster than The Song of Achilles'.

    Medium · Can't put it down pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
  5. Cover of The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

    5.

    The Notebook

    Nicholas Sparks

    The Notebook shares The Song of Achilles' emotional and romantic appeal. It's the quicker read of the two.

    Short · Easy pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like The Notebook
  6. Cover of Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

    6.

    Me Before You

    Jojo Moyes

    Me Before You shares The Song of Achilles' emotional and romantic appeal. The pace is quicker than The Song of Achilles'.

    Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like Me Before You
  7. Cover of Beach Read by Emily Henry

    7.

    Beach Read

    Emily Henry

    If it was the emotional and romantic side of The Song of Achilles you loved, Beach Read delivers it too.

    Medium · Easy pace · Beginner-friendly

    Explore this book →Books like Beach Read

How to choose

  • Short on time? The Notebook is a quick read.
  • Want something faster-paced? Try The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
  • Ready for something heavier? Me Before You is the most demanding pick.

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