Madeline Miller is an accomplished American author, best known for her historical fiction novels "Circe" and "The Song of Achilles." Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 24, 1978, Miller spent her formative years in various cities, including New York and Philadelphia. Her passion for literature and classical studies became evident during her academic journey, as she pursued a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Classics at Brown University.
Upon completing her Master's degree, Miller put her knowledge and love for classical texts into practice by teaching Greek, Latin, and Shakespeare to high school students. This experience allowed her to develop her storytelling skills further, ultimately leading to her creation of captivating and modern adaptations of ancient narratives. During her tenure as an educator, she began working on the manuscript that would eventually become her bestselling debut novel, "The Song of Achilles."
Miller has enriched her academic background with additional studies at the University of Chicago's Committee on Social Thought and the Dramaturgy department at Yale School of Drama. Her focus on adapting classical texts to modern forms has significantly influenced her writing, enabling her to connect ancient stories with contemporary audiences. She currently resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she continues to teach and write, balancing her passion for education and storytelling.
Miller's literary career has been marked by remarkable achievements, including the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction and a New York Times Bestseller status for "The Song of Achilles." Her second novel, "Circe," also became an instant number one New York Times bestseller and won several awards, such as the Indies Choice Best Adult Fiction of the Year Award, the Indies Choice Best Audiobook of the Year Award, and an American Library Association Alex Award. Additionally, "Circe" was shortlisted for the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction and won The Red Tentacle Award, among others.
Miller's work has been translated into over twenty-five languages, and her essays have appeared in various publications, including the Guardian, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Telegraph, Lapham's Quarterly, and NPR.org. Her most recent published work, "Galatea," is a standalone short story. She currently lives outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she continues to contribute to the literary world with her unique adaptations of classical narratives.