Circe vs Ariadne: Which Greek Retelling First?
Circe and Ariadne are two of the most popular Greek mythology retellings. Here's how they differ, what each does best, and which to read first.
The wave of feminist Greek mythology retellings has two favourites that readers constantly compare: Madeline Miller’s Circe (2018) and Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne (2021). Both take a woman the ancient myths pushed to the margins and give her a rich inner life, a voice, and a story of her own. They share a sensibility — but they differ in scope, polish, and structure. Here is how the two compare.
How They Stack Up
| Circe | Ariadne | |
|---|---|---|
| Author | Madeline Miller | Jennifer Saint |
| Published | 2018 | 2021 |
| Heroine | Circe, witch-goddess of Aiaia | Ariadne, princess of Crete |
| Scope | Centuries of a goddess’s life | One generation, two sisters |
| Strength | Lyrical prose, depth, influence | Accessibility, emotional immediacy |
| Read first? | Yes | Second |
Circe in Brief
Circe reimagines the life of the minor goddess best known for turning Odysseus’s men into pigs. Miller follows Circe from her lonely childhood among the gods through her exile to the island of Aiaia, where she comes into her power as a witch and crosses paths with many of mythology’s most famous figures. Spanning centuries, it is a lyrical, deeply felt story of a woman claiming her own strength on her own terms. Widely credited with helping launch the modern retelling boom, it is the genre’s benchmark.
Ariadne: The Premise
Ariadne retells the myth of the Minotaur through the princess who made Theseus’s victory possible — and was abandoned on an island for her trouble. Saint tells the story through Ariadne and her sister Phaedra, giving voice to two women trapped by the cruelty of gods and men. Warm, accessible, and emotionally direct, it channels the same feminist impulse as Circe into a more contained, dual-narrative story. A beloved debut, it is one of the most popular entries in the retelling wave.
What Sets Them Apart
First, there is scope. Circe spans centuries, following a single immortal heroine across a vast sweep of myth. Ariadne is more contained, focused on one generation and two mortal sisters. One is an epic life; the other is an intimate tragedy.
Second, there is prose and polish. Miller is a stylist of rare control, and Circe is celebrated for its gorgeous, precise sentences. Ariadne, a debut, is lovely but slightly less assured. Readers who prize the writing itself will notice the difference.
Third, there is single versus dual narrative. Circe gives us one commanding voice; Ariadne alternates between two sisters, broadening the perspective but diffusing the focus. Each approach has its pleasures.
The Better Starting Point
Read Circe first. As the more accomplished and influential novel — the book that did the most to popularise the modern feminist retelling — it sets the standard and gives you the fullest experience of what the genre can do. Its depth and craft make it the ideal entry point.
Read Ariadne second, as a worthy companion. Coming to it after Circe lets you appreciate how Saint applies the same impulse to a different myth, and its accessibility makes it a smooth, moving follow-up.
A Note on the Wider Genre
If this pair leaves you hungry for more, you are in luck: the feminist Greek retelling has become one of the most vibrant corners of contemporary fiction. Miller’s own The Song of Achilles is the obvious next step, and Saint has written further retellings of her own. Beyond them, authors like Pat Barker, Natalie Haynes, and Claire North have each given voice to the women of Troy and beyond. Knowing whether you prefer the single-heroine epic of Circe or the more communal, multi-voice approach of Ariadne will help you choose your next retelling — and there are many waiting.
Where to Head Next
Once you have read both, our authors like Madeline Miller guide points to Pat Barker, Natalie Haynes, and more, and our best mythology retellings roundup gathers the rest of the genre. For the other essential Miller comparison, see our Circe vs The Song of Achilles breakdown.
The short version: read Circe first for the genre’s lyrical benchmark, then Ariadne for the moving companion retelling — and you will see exactly why these reclaimed heroines have captivated so many readers and helped make the feminist retelling one of the defining literary trends of the era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I read Circe or Ariadne first?
Read Circe first. Madeline Miller's novel is the more accomplished and influential of the two — it helped launch the modern wave of feminist Greek retellings — so it makes the ideal introduction. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint is a strong successor that reads beautifully afterward, especially since both reimagine overlooked women from the same mythology.
Which is better, Circe or Ariadne?
Circe is generally considered the stronger novel — richer in prose, deeper in character, and broader in scope, following its goddess across centuries. Ariadne is a moving, accessible dual-narrative retelling that many readers love, but it is a debut and slightly less polished. Circe is the genre's standard-bearer; Ariadne is a worthy companion.
Are Circe and Ariadne similar?
Very. Both are feminist retellings of Greek myth that give voice to women the original stories sidelined — Circe the witch-goddess, and Ariadne the princess who helped Theseus and was abandoned. Both are lyrical, character-driven, and concerned with female agency, making them natural companions for the same readers.
