These ancient tales still continue to inspire authors today – here’s a few of our favourite novels...
Pandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman: stepping thoroughly away from the Ancient Greece surroundings, this subtle and captivating novel based on the story of Pandora and a mysterious Greek vase set against the backdrop of Georgian London is highly recommended if you haven’t read it already. Filled with mystery and romance it is richly detailed and enjoyable from start to finish.
Medea by Rosie Hewlett: it is really difficult to take one of the most infamous female characters in Greek mythology and attempt to if not redeem her but attempt to see things through her perspective thanks to the way in which she is treated by the men in her life. Vibrant and passionate this was a bold take on giving Medea a voice.
Circe by Madeline Miller: breathing new life into Circe’s tale, Madeline Miller’s book has a beautiful level of detail to it and giving a positive spin to her story – celebrating Circe’s exile in terms of finding her independence through her family rejecting her. The characters are well drawn and every chapter is filled with beautiful magic that keeps the reader enthralled.
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes: With Stone Blind, Natalie Haynes has created a wonderfully sympathetic take on her story while getting the reader to question what is beauty and what is the true definition of a monster. Through this book, Haynes really challenges our perceptions and how we see these characters and their stories – a really powerful re-telling.
Mythos by Stephen Fry: written with great quirkiness and humour, Stephen Fry’s re-telling of the Greek myths is intelligent and well-researched. He also manages to brilliantly bring each character to life and highlighting the theatricality of the stories to great effect. It is also a great starting point if you have never read anything relating to Greek mythology.
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes: looking at the impact of war on the women left behind during the Trojan War, this is a powerful retelling of the Trojan war that is profound and moving from start to finish.
Queens of Themiscyra by Hannah Lynn: putting the story of the Queens of the Amazons front and centre, Hannah Lynn has created a strong narrative of what happened following the arrival of a ship on the shores of their kingdom of Themiscyra. Written with a poetic quality, the world of Ancient Greece is brought vividly to life. It is filled with powerful emotion that thrills and enthrals readers in equal measures.
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint: in one of our favourite books to date, Jennifer Saint beautifully brings the story of Atalanta out of the shadows and highlighting the part that she played as one of the Argonauts in their quest to claim the famous golden fleece to help bring glory to her name. The book brings it to life in great style and thoughtfulness.