Book Reviews (Commonwealth Union) _ Rooting back to approximately 1200 BCE, Greek mythology flourished during the 8th century BCE with the rise of Homer’s The Odyssey and Iliad. With various significant works spanning across genres of epic poetry, classical literature, and fantasy, Greek mythology has had a massive impact on literature through the centuries up until modern-day contemporary works. This list includes Greek mythology books that explore the origins of Greek gods and heroes, featuring recurring characters such as Apollo, Hades, Hercules, and Medusa, who are portrayed through various perspectives by different writers in retellings or modern fantasy fiction like the Percy Jackson series.
- Medusa: The Girl Behind the Myth by Jessie Burton
Over the years, Medusa has been portrayed using countless perspectives, but most often as a ruthless, snake-haired creature that turns men into stone, as seen in the legend of Perseus. With several authors retelling the classic story, adding to its many variations, Burton’s 2021 novel is seen to take a feminist and empathetic stance in narrating Medusa’s transformation from an enchanting maiden into a monster, reflecting society’s isolation of the mistreated.
- Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare
Thought to be the renowned dramatist’s first venture into poetry, this 1593 poem narrated the story of the goddess of love Venus’ unrequited affection for Adonis, a handsome hunter. Despite it being Shakespeare’s debut poem, his use of comedy and tragedy to portray observations on the nature of love and nature has been received by critics with much praise over the years.
- The King Must Die by Mary Renault
Mary Renault’s 1958 novel dives into the challenges Theseus faces during his journey to Athens, reimagining his early years after he discovers his royal lineage and retrieves the sword and sandals to claim his birthright. With vivid depictions of ancient rituals and culture, Renault tells the story of how the Greek hero faces the infamous Minotaur in Daedalus’ labyrinth.
- The Children of Jocasta, by Natalie Haynes
Putting aside the much-spoken-of heroes of Greek mythology for a moment, Hayne, in her 2017 novel, dwells on two overlooked figures in the myth of Oedipus and Antigone—Jocasta and Ismene. Presenting the mother and wife of Oedipus, along with the sister of Antigone, Ismene, tragic figures cast aside in the history of the myth, Haynes’s 2017 novel is a retelling of the role of the two women in the familial strife and political turmoil in Thebes.
- The Silence of the Girls by Pam Barker
Shifting the perspective of the Trojan War to an enslaved queen who ends up being a concubine to Achilles, Pam Barker retells the horrors of war from a truly rare perspective. Presenting the brutal reality of the loss and bravery experienced by women during wartime, Barker’s 2018 novel explores the narrative through a perspective that was silenced and dismissed.
- Pandora’s Jar, by Natalie Haynes
Another narrative by the author of The Children of Jocasta, this novel is also a retelling of Greek mythology. However, contrasting sharply with the abundance of myths that are centered on male heroes, from Jason to Oedipus to Agamemnon, Hayne’s retellings are based on mythological figures like Artemis, Athena, Eurydice, and Hera, who have most often been sidelined throughout the course of history.
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Currently one of the most widely read Greek mythology retellings of our day and age, The Song of Achilles explores the myth through the perspective of Patroclus, Achilles’ closest companion. Taking a deep dive into love, friendship, and war, Miller’s 2011 novel is a tragic exploration of the fate that hovers over the two companions at the height of the Trojan War.
- The Odyssey by Homer
The point of origin of ancient epics, The Odyssey is one of the greatest and most iconic works of literature to exist. Following the final six weeks of the 10-year journey embarked on by Odysseus to return home to his wife and family, this 8th-century B.C. novel portrays suitors fighting for the hand of Odysseus’s wife and his son’s search for his father. If you want to sidestep the heavy original composition, several translations that remain true to the original source are available, depicting Odysseus’s eventual return to his family and his reclaiming of the throne.
- The Penelopiad Margaret Atwood
This novel, which depicts one of the most iconic lovers in Greek mythology, stands out from the numerous retellings due to Atwood’s literary brilliance and her departure from traditional narrative. Centering around Penelope’s perspective during the events of the Odyssey, this 2005 retelling also inquires about the twelve maids who were hung by Telemachus, stirring a narration of anger and betrayal, proving a stark contrast from the original focus on heroism, instead turning to examine gender, power, and the consequence of war.
