Homer’s “The Odyssey” is one of the world’s most well-known texts. Portraying Odysseus’ treacherous 10-year journey home after the Trojan War recounted in Homer’s Iliad, this epic poem has become popular to retell in books and movies. For example, Christopher Nolan, who directed award winners such as “Interstellar” and “Oppenheimer,” recently announced that he is directing a retelling of “The Odyssey,” with one of the most recognized casts in cinema history, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway and set to be released summer of 2026. Since “The Odyssey” is a mess of intricate storylines and out-of-order events, here are three book recommendations that retell the Odyssey and the stories of its many characters in a more modern light. 

“Clytemnestra” (2023) by Costanza Casati

“Clytemnestra” tells the tale of King Aggamemnons’ murderess wife, Clytemnestra. Twin sister of Helen of Troy (the catalyst for the Trojan War), Clytemnestra tells the story of how the sisters grew up in Sparta together, the deathly marriage to the Atredi brothers, and how Helen eventually ran off with the Trojan prince Paris, kicking off the 10-year war. Since Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, is a cousin to the twins, “Clytemnestra” goes into extreme detail about Penelope’s cunning, deceptive, and witty character that initially draws Odysseus into wanting to marry her. We also meet Odysseus, and through Clytemnestra’s eyes, see the man before being forever changed by the tragedy that became the Trojan War. By reading this book, one will understand who Odysseus was before both the “Iliad” and “The Odyssey,” and how he went from being a king with little land to being known as “polytropos,” or in English, the “many-minded one.”

“The Song of Achilles” (2011) by Madeline Miller 

“The Song of Achilles” is one of the most recognizable Greek mythology retellings, winning the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2012. Told from the perspective of Achilles’ closest companion and lover Patroclus, the book retells the infamous story of Achilles from his childhood to his ultimate death and his major role in the Iliad and theTrojan War. Achilles is often mentioned in “The Odyssey,” specifically when Odysseus goes to the underworld or recounts the events of the Trojan War to his family back home in Ithaca. Odysseus also plays a key role in Achilles’ story, from getting him to join the Trojan War to forming an alliance with the goddess Athena. This book is not only heart-wrenching but very accurate, getting into detail about who Achilles killed, and how he is remembered by the army and the epithets. 

“Circe” (2018) by Madeline Miller 

“Circe” is also extremely evocative, telling the story of the infamous witch of Aeaea and how she played a crucial role in “The Odyssey” as Odysseus’ lover and getting him and his crew to the underworld. The book also walks through the goddess’s early life living in her father’s palace, and her eventual banishment to an island on her own. There, she taught herself witchcraft alongside her nymph companions. But, to protect herself and her nymphs, she turns every man into a pig through deception and sorcery. When Odysseus and his crew wash up on the island, he sends a few men to survey the land, only for them not to return. Before he can enter Circe’s palace himself, the god Hermes gives him a magical root to protect him from Circe’s spell.

In “The Odyssey,” Circe falls to his feet and begs him for mercy after Odysseus demands she change his men from pigs. That differs from this book, in which Circe can speak to him as an equal. When looking at Circe as a character, Miller’s version makes more sense, since she is a goddess, and Odysseus is just a man. This version enhances the power that Circe ultimately holds over mortals, and does the goddess more justice than the original material. Odysseus and his crew stay on the island for a year before they leave to meet the dead prophet in the underworld. The rest of the book then follows Circe after Odysseus’ departure. So, although the author takes many creative liberties throughout the book, it is still a great basis for the history of one of the most well-known characters, aside from Odysseus, in the Odyssey and how she played a pivotal role in aiding Odysseus’ return home. 

Although reading these three books is not a substitute for reading the actual “Odyssey,” they help break down the order of events and the popular characters to be featured in Nolan’s upcoming film.