Books like Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney
Basilus, a foolish old duke, consults an oracle as he imperiously wishes to know the future, but he is less than pleased with what he learns. To escape the oracle's horrific prophecies about his family and kingdom, he withdraws into pastoral retreat with his wife and two daughters. When a pair of wandering princes fall in love with the princesses and adopt disguises to gain access to them, all manner of complications, both comic and serious, ensue. Part-pastoral romance, part-heroic epic, Sir Philip Sidney's long narrative work was hugely popular for centuries after its first publication in 1593, inspiring two sequels and countless imitations, and contributing greatly to the development of the novel.
First publish date: 1598
Genre: Literary Fiction/Classic Literature
Authors: Sir Philip Sidney
★
★
★
★
★
4.0 (1 community ratings)
How are these books recommended?
The books recommended for Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney are shaped by reader interaction. Votes on how closely books relate, user ratings, and community comments all help refine these recommendations and highlight books readers genuinely find similar in theme, ideas, and overall reading experience.
Have you read any of these books?
Your votes, ratings, and comments help improve recommendations and make it easier
for other readers to discover books they’ll enjoy.
Books similar to Arcadia (17 similar books)
A classic tale of revenge and obsession against the mighty Moby Dick.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
The Odyssey, an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, follows Odysseus on his long journey home after the Trojan War and stands as the second oldest surviving work of Western literature.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A seminal 16th‑century Italian treatise, The Prince offers practical guidance for rulers, arguing that ends can justify morally dubious means to secure power and glory.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Treasure Island is Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure about a boy’s coming‑of‑age journey on a ship, featuring the iconic Long John Silver and shaping modern notions of pirates, treasure maps and tropical island tales.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A modern edition of Lattimore’s translation of Homer’s Iliad, enriched with a contextual introduction, line‑by‑line notes, a glossary, and maps to illuminate ancient Greek warfare, society, and mythology.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Edith Grossman's acclaimed English translation of Miguel de Cervantes’ classic "Don Quixote" brings the famed knight-errant and his loyal squire Sancho Panza to life in 16th‑century Spain.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In this 1798 poem, a sailor encounters an earnest traveler on his way to a wedding and recounts a haunting sea expedition, weaving themes of fate, guilt, and redemption in vivid, lyrical language.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
John Bunyan’s classic allegory follows the spiritual journey of Christian, who overcomes trials such as the Valley of the Shadow of Death and Vanity Fair to reach Beulah Land.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Herodotus’s "History" offers the earliest surviving account of the Greco‑Persian Wars, detailing the rise of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great and the pivotal battles of the fifth century BCE.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In *Inferno*, Dante Alighieri, lost and bewildered, is guided through the nine circles of Hell by the Roman poet Virgil, beginning his quest to return to divine light.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Poems is a collection of Oscar Wilde’s lyrical and socially conscious verse, showcasing his sharp wit, rich imagery, and Pre‑Raphaelite influence within classic 19th‑century poetry.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A prose English translation of Virgil’s Latin epic The Aeneid, featuring fresh illustrations and informational appendices.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
![Ghostly Tales and Eerie Poems of Edgar Allan Poe [14 stories, 9 poems] by 7104272|Edgar Allan Poe book cover](https://covers.openlibrary.org/b/id/6601698-M.jpg "Ghostly Tales and Eerie Poems of Edgar Allan Poe [14 stories, 9 poems] by 7104272|Edgar Allan Poe book cover")
A collection of fourteen Edgar Allan Poe short stories—including the macabre “The Tell‑tale Heart,” gothic “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and detective classic “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”—and nine haunting poems such as “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee.”
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Dante’s epic poem describes a mystical journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise, guided first by Virgil and later by Beatrice, exploring medieval cosmology and theological symbolism.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
![The Works of Edgar Allan Poe [68 stories, 31 poems] by 7104272|Edgar Allan Poe book cover](https://covers.openlibrary.org/b/id/11836029-M.jpg "The Works of Edgar Allan Poe [68 stories, 31 poems] by 7104272|Edgar Allan Poe book cover")
A comprehensive anthology of Edgar Allan Poe’s 68 stories and 31 poems, spanning horror, detective fiction, gothic tales, and lyrical poetry, showcasing his mastery of suspense, the macabre, and the supernatural.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
An edition of Marlowe's *Doctor Faustus* based on the A text, featuring a study of the play's text, biographical background, and theatrical context.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Some Other Similar Books
Plays and Poems by William ShakespeareThe Book of the Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione
The Renaissance and Early Modern Literature by Various Authors
Have a similar book in mind? Let others know!
Please login to submit books!