10 Greek Mythology Books Better Than The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan’s next big film is based on the classic poem by Homer, one of the most celebrated poets of ancient Greece. Originally written around the 8th century BC, this poem is a cornerstone of ancient Greek literature. While The Iliad tells the story of the Trojan War’s final days, The Odyssey focuses on the long and challenging journey home of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, after the war ends.

Homer’s The Odyssey is a timeless story that has captivated audiences for over a thousand years. This July, a new blockbuster film, based on the acclaimed musical adaptation by Jorge Rivera-Herrans, will bring the epic tale to the big screen. Considered a cornerstone of Western culture, The Odyssey has been retold and reimagined countless times over the centuries. Though it can be a complex read due to its poetic style and jumping timelines, the story remains incredibly popular. As a key part of Greek Mythology – a source of fascination for millennia – The Odyssey continues to inspire new works for readers, moviegoers, and anyone interested in Greek culture.

A Feminist Retelling By the Author of The Handmaid’s Tale

I recently revisited Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, and it’s a fascinating work. While she’s famous for The Handmaid’s Tale and its follow-up, The Testaments, this 2005 novella really showcases her skill. It’s part of the Canongate Myth Series, where modern authors get to retell classic myths, and Atwood brilliantly gives a voice to Penelope, Odysseus’s wife. The story is essentially Penelope looking back on her life, and offers a fresh perspective on the events we all know from Homer’s Odyssey.

Often considered one of Margaret Atwood’s best works, this novella examines the idea of justice, the different ways men and women – and people of different social classes – are treated, and how much stories are shaped by who tells them. Atwood achieves this by using a Greek chorus of twelve maids who frequently interrupt Penelope’s story of The Odyssey to share their own perspectives and tell events in their own unique ways. Throughout The Odyssey, Penelope spends most of her time protecting her kingdom from unwanted suitors who are after her power.

Margaret Atwood reimagines the story of Penelope, Queen of Ithaca, challenging traditional portrayals of women in The Odyssey. Instead of simply being loyal wives or manipulative figures defined by their relationship to Odysseus, Atwood gives Penelope a voice to question the events of the epic and explore how myths are retold and understood today. She transforms Penelope from a passive character into an active narrator who wonders ‘why’ and offers a fresh perspective on the classic tale.

Madeline Miller’s Circe Adapts Multiple Greek Myths

Madeline Miller is the author most people think of when it comes to fresh takes on Greek mythology. Her novel Circe, published in 2018, followed her well-received first book, The Song of Achilles, which came out seven years earlier. Circe is set in the world of Greek heroes and retells familiar myths – particularly Homer’s Odyssey – through the eyes of the witch Circe. The story explores Circe’s beginnings as the overlooked daughter of the titan Helios and the nymph Perse, and details her interactions with famous mythological characters such as Hermes, the Minotaur, and Jason. It also recounts her relationships with Odysseus and his son, Telemachus.

Often unfairly portrayed as a villain, Madeline Miller’s novel Circe offers a deeper look at the complex character from Greek mythology. Published during the rise of the MeToo movement, the book reimagines Circe as a feminist figure, highlighting aspects of The Odyssey that are often overlooked. Rather than a simple antagonist, Miller’s Circe explores the witch’s backstory and transforms her into a strong, relatable protagonist on a journey to understand herself. While HBO purchased the rights to adapt the novel in 2019, the project has since stalled, despite the book’s empowering message of female independence.

The Songs of Penelope Focuses on the Wife of Odysseus

Claire North, author of the popular novel The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, reimagines Homer’s Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope in The Songs of Penelope trilogy. The novels explore the challenges faced by Penelope as she governs Ithaca and raises her son, Telemachus, during Odysseus’s long absence, all while fending off suitors who want to claim her hand in marriage and the throne.

The Songs of Penelope trilogy—comprising Ithaca (narrated by Hera), House of Odysseus (by Aphrodite and Athena), and The Last Song of Penelope—retells classic Greek stories from the perspectives of the women often left out of the legends. Instead of focusing on the usual male heroes and gods, these novels highlight the powerful women who governed kingdoms, forged alliances, and persevered through difficult times. The series reimagines Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, not as a patient and obedient figure, but as a shrewd and capable ruler. Celebrated for its beautiful writing and distinctive narrative voices, the trilogy cleverly expands on Homer’s Odyssey with compelling political drama.

Stephen Fry Makes Greek Mythology More Accessible

Written by Stephen Fry, Mythos is the first book in a series that retells classic Greek myths. Published in 2017, Fry recognizes that while Greek classics are often studied academically, you don’t need any prior knowledge to enjoy these “addictive, entertaining, approachable, and astonishingly human” stories. Mythos strikes a balance between historical accuracy and modern relatability, primarily drawing from the works of Hesiod, Ovid, and Apuleius. The series continues with Heroes, exploring the tales of mortals and monsters; Troy, focusing on the Trojan War; and Fry’s 2024 novel, Odyssey, which retells Homer’s epic journey.

Stephen Fry reimagines the classic tales of the Greek gods and heroes, making them both hilarious and deeply moving with his unique voice and style. He retells these ancient myths in a way that preserves their magic, appealing to both longtime fans and those new to the stories. Fry’s respectful and lively storytelling captures the excitement, drama, and often ridiculous nature of Greek mythology, bringing these age-old legends to life. If you’re planning to experience these myths this summer, be sure to read Fry’s novels, especially his latest, Odyssey, first.

Natalie Haynes Retells the Trojan War From Female Perspectives

Natalie Haynes, a classicist and author of both fiction and nonfiction about Greek mythology, became well-known for her novel, A Thousand Ships. This book brings to light the stories of women who are often ignored in classical literature. Nominated for the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction, the novel retells myths featuring underappreciated women, with some stories being shared for the first time in a contemporary style. A Thousand Ships reimagines the Trojan War, dedicating chapters to the women whose lives were impacted by the decade-long conflict – women who were largely absent from Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. It’s an epic story that revitalizes these women’s experiences, shifting the focus away from the traditional heroic narratives.

Narrated by Calliope, the muse of epic poems, this novel tells the story of the Trojan War from the perspectives of the women affected by it. Frustrated by a poet wanting another tale of male heroes, Calliope compels him to focus on the experiences, suffering, and strength of women – including Trojan women, Greek queens, Amazons, and goddesses. A Thousand Ships gives voice to those traditionally overlooked in epic stories, revealing the impact of war, revenge, and who gets to tell the tale.

The Song of Achilles Brought Back Retelling Greek Myths

Madeline Miller’s first novel, The Song of Achilles, is a popular and award-winning book that has become a benchmark for how Greek myths are retold today. After winning the Women’s Prize for Fiction and selling over two million copies, the novel has gained even more readers, particularly after becoming a TikTok sensation. It tells the story of the Trojan War through the eyes of Patroclus, focusing on his close and impactful relationship with the hero Achilles.

Wow, Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles isn’t just a retelling of the Trojan War – it’s a breathtakingly beautiful and deeply moving love story. Seriously, some have called it the most poetic translation of Homer out there! It takes this huge, epic conflict and focuses it down to the incredibly intimate relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. Watching their connection unfold against the backdrop of war and meddling gods is just…powerful. The novel really asks what actually makes a person, arguing that it’s the small, personal moments and the love we share – not fame or what history remembers – that truly define us. It’s a stunning idea, and Miller executes it flawlessly, suggesting that even a legendary legacy can be rewritten by the power of love.

Madeline Miller’s retelling of the classic Trojan War story, The Song of Achilles, has gained popularity as an LGBTQIA+ novel. It reimagines Homer’s Iliad as a love story between Achilles and Patroclus, drawing on the historical idea of the “Achillean romance.” Many consider it a modern classic, and it’s been praised so highly that some believe it could even surpass Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of the story in popularity.

Clytemnestra is the Often Forgotten Sister of Helen of Troy

Costanza Casati’s first novel, Clytemnestra, published in 2023, offers a fresh perspective on the infamous queen from Homer’s Iliad. Traditionally seen as a villain for her actions against her husband, Agamemnon, this book tells Clytemnestra’s story from her own point of view, presenting her as a powerful and independent woman. The novel explores her upbringing in Sparta, her bond with her sister Helen, the deep trauma she experienced, and the carefully planned revenge she takes on Agamemnon. Through this retelling, Casati transforms Clytemnestra from a figure of betrayal into a strong, resourceful, and ultimately compelling protagonist.

With Agamemnon away at war, Clytemnestra takes control of Mycenae and becomes a formidable queen. Rather than passively accepting her destiny, she carefully plans revenge against her husband for the terrible things he’s done. This novel explores Clytemnestra’s incredible strength and resilience in a world dominated by powerful, often cruel, men and uncaring gods, offering a more sympathetic portrayal of a character traditionally seen as a villain in Greek myths. It’s a powerful story about grief, anger, revenge, and the importance of women taking control in a harsh and unfair society, beautifully capturing themes of motherhood and sisterhood.

Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne is About the Sister of the Minotaur

Jennifer Saint, the bestselling author of novels that reimagine Greek myths through the eyes of women, will release This Immortal Heart in June. The new book tells the story of Aphrodite, continuing Saint’s tradition of bringing fascinating female figures from mythology to life. Her first novel, Ariadne, offered a feminist perspective on the daughter of King Minos, exploring her struggles within the complex politics of Crete and the terrifying presence of her brother, the Minotaur, who required human sacrifices.

Ariadne, in a bold move, chooses love over her family and the gods, and helps Theseus defeat the monster in the 2011 fantasy action film starring Henry Cavill. Jennifer Saint’s novel, often likened to Madeline Miller’s Circe, explores themes of female empowerment, the unpredictable nature of the gods, and the destructive ambition of men. Ariadne sheds light on the hardships women face due to the choices of men and the whims of the divine, reimagining classic hero myths to give a voice to the often-forgotten women within them.

Pat Barker’s Trojan War Series Retells Homer’s The Iliad

Pat Barker’s The Silence of Girls, a 2018 novel and a finalist for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, reimagines the story of the Trojan War from a fresh perspective. It tells the tale of Briseis, a queen who is captured and becomes Achilles’ slave. Though a relatively minor character in Homer’s Iliad, Briseis is central to the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon that drives the epic’s plot and was portrayed by Rose Byrne.

This novel offers a stark and unflinching look at the Trojan War, particularly the brutal experiences of women within the Greek army. Rather than romanticizing the conflict, it realistically depicts the horrors faced by women who were treated as slaves and possessions. The story exposes the lack of power and voice given to these women, highlighting the devastating human cost of war and dismantling traditional heroic narratives. This critically successful book, which focuses on the stories of women like Briseis, is the first in the Women of Troy trilogy.

Percy Jackson is the Ultimate Greek Mythology Series

Okay, so everyone’s talking about this new Odyssey adaptation, but honestly, for a lot of us, Percy Jackson is where our love for Greek mythology really began. Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians series basically created a whole generation of mythology nerds – I know it did for me! It was my first real dive into those ancient stories. The first book, The Lightning Thief, is where it all started: Percy Jackson finds out he’s Poseidon’s son and gets thrown into this crazy adventure when someone accuses him of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt. It’s a fantastic series, and it really got me hooked!

Rick Riordan, the author of the Percy Jackson series, created the main character with ADHD and dyslexia, imagining these conditions as signs someone might be a demigod. He cleverly presents the challenges of impulsivity and hyperactivity not as weaknesses, but as natural strengths preparing a demigod for combat. The series focuses on important themes like finding yourself, the power of friendship, loyalty, and feeling like you belong, all while telling a story of heroism and growing up in both the modern world and a world of mythology.

Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series has been incredibly popular for over two decades, inspiring a whole universe of books and introducing countless readers to Greek mythology. It’s known for making these ancient stories easy to understand, portraying characters with diverse minds and experiences, and encouraging a love of reading in young people. The series continues to be a key influence on how Greek myths are retold today, making it a classic for readers of all ages.

2026-05-12 22:16