For as long as I can remember, I have been a huge fan of Greek Mythology. I spent two years in school learning Ancient Greek and was fascinated with the stories that our teacher would tell. As I grew up, this love continued to grow with me, and I spent a lot of time reading books, watching movies, and listening to music that had anything to do with Greek myths. If you love Greek Mythology like me, or if you’ve always wanted to learn more about it, then I believe that this list is for you. You will find my recommendations for my favourite Greek myth retellings, as well as some books to help you find out more about mythology in general. Madeline Miller I think that by now, you will probably have heard of Madeline Miller. When it comes to Greek Mythology, she is worth reading. As a professor, she has a deep and intricate knowledge of those stories, and as a writer, she has a writing style that is unforgettable. So far, she has written two novels, The Song of Achilles, a retelling of the Trojan War and Achilles’s relationship with Patroclus and Circe, the witch encountered by Odysseus on his way back to Ithaca. Both of those novels are anchored in political and social issues that we can relate to in the 21st century, and she has an incredible way of showing you the power of myths as a relatable and timeless. Above all else, she is the perfect writer for a beginner, because she does not assume that the reader knows anything about mythology. Because of that, her books are accessible, even when you’ve never heard of those myths. Very recently, Miller released a short story entitled Galatea that will keep us waiting until her next novel about Persephone. It is probably her least accessible story, but only because it is so short. Without knowing anything about the myth, it is very difficult to understand what is happening and what Madeline Miller is trying to do. However, do not fear, because she kindly provides an explanation for it at the end of the short story. Pat Barker Pat Barker, like many other writers of Greek myth retellings, focuses on the Trojan War and events told by Homer in the Iliad. Her two books The Silence of the Girls and The Women of Troy talk about the condition of women during the war, and finally gives a voice to women who never speak in Homer’s stories. These two books are less lyrical and a bit more difficult to get into, mainly because they require more knowledge of the original stories and revolve more around the war than relatable experiences and magical places. The Silence of the Girls also only focuses on one woman, Briseis, who is royalty captured after the war, which still shows a certain privilege to her character. Nevertheless, these are really interesting retellings to read if you like mythology and feminism. Natalie Haynes Natalie Haynes’s writing style is a good in-between, as she is very thorough in her explanation of Greek Mythology, but still allows lyrical aspects to shine through. Her novels focus on different women, like Jocasta (Oedipus’s wife/mother) in Children of Jocasta, and the women of the Trojan War in A Thousand Ships. While her retelling of the Trojan War is similar to Pat Barker’s there are some main differences. For one, the styles are very different, and I found Natalie Haynes’s writing to be easier to get into than Pat Barker’s, who focuses on a more practical aspect. A Thousand Ships also has a broader point of view, as it focuses on the experience of many women rather than just a privileged and rich one. In a more practical and theorical book, Natalie Haynes also concentrates on women’s voices in Greek Mythology. Pandora’s Jar is a book made for true mythology lovers. In it, Natalie Haynes focuses on many different sources of mythology to paint a complete picture of famous women, such as Pandora, Eurydice, Medusa, and many more. It is a fascinating account of feminism and how mythology still impacts the way women are perceived today. Mythology, Edith Hamilton This last book is not a work of fiction, but it is still a major one to read if you want to learn about Greek Mythology. In this anthology, you will find the most famous stories of the gods and heroes that we all love so much. This book covers a vast majority of the main wars, achievements, and disputes. It also comes in handy if, like me, you always find yourself confused by the intertwined bloodlines and family trees. It also has a great chapter on Norse Mythology if that is something you might enjoy. There are many more book that I could recommend for you to read. As you may have noticed, Greek Mythology and its retellings have been well loved online in the past decade. With this list, I hope that you will find something that you enjoy, and that I might be able to kindle (or re-kindle) your love for mythology! Further recommendations - fiction: - Ariadne, Jennifer Saint - Elektra, Jennifer Saint (coming out April 28th) - Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordan - Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood Further recommendations - Non-Fiction: - Mythos, Heroes, and Troy by Stephen Fry - Antigone Rising, Helen Morales - Women in Power, Mary Beard Blog Post by Juliette @a_spoonful_of_juliette
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