In recent years, there’s been a resurgence of interest in myths. Not the dusty, academic kind, but lively, reinvigorated tales that captivate modern audiences.
Mythology—once the cornerstone of ancient cultures—has found its way back into popular culture through a contemporary lens.
Classic stories are being dramatically reinvigorated by modern storytellers who infuse them with contemporary attitudes, styles, and voices, deftly rejuvenating timeworn themes.
Looking to make progress, the obvious question becomes, what’s the next stop on your journey?
Get ready to tumble into fantastical worlds where classics are reimagined – expect surprising twists and fascinating portrayals.
The 8 Best Books That Retell Myths
1. Circe by Madeline Miller: A Feminist Retelling
In the realm of mythological retellings, Circe by Madeline Miller has become a modern classic. Here, Miller takes the story of Circe, a minor character from Homer’s Odyssey, and transforms her into the heroine of her own story. Circe, once known merely as a sorceress who turned men into pigs, becomes a complex, fully fleshed-out character struggling against the gods and her own limitations. With themes of power, independence, and self-discovery, it resonates with today’s readers.
2. Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright: Exploring the World of Alpha Werewolves
Feral Sins careens off the rails, straight into a collision course with our most primal fears. By threading the fates of Taryn Warner, a tenacious shifter waiting to unleash her wolf, and Trey Coleman, a rogue alpha with hypnotic eyes, Suzuki Wright spins a web of romance, magic, and deadly stakes. To secure alliances and save themselves from unwanted unions, the two enter into a fake mating bond. When passions ignite and pack dynamics turn hostile, romance and risk hurtle towards a climactic crash.
Get ready for a wild ride with Feral Sins, a snarky, sexy, and heart-pumping adventure that plays with the alpha werewolf trope in all the right ways, boasting characters you’ll root for and a storyline that simply refuses to slow down. But you can always get acquainted with other alpha werewolf stories from the selection of novels. iPhone users can conveniently access these stories on the go.
3. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker: Giving Voice to the Voiceless
Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls takes a drastically different approach by focusing on the often-overlooked female perspective within the Iliad. At the forefront of Barker’s novel stands Briseis, a spirited Trojan queen captured and bound into slavery, reduced to a prized war spoil. How does war look from a feminine perspective? Barker’s work dares to ask this question, confronting us with the unvarnished truth of conflict as seen through the eyes of the women surrounding Achilles.
This re-telling offers a searing critique of our endemic apathy toward injustice, inciting radical soul-searching on our contribution to systemic, gender-based power structures – failures now starkly reflected in our modern society.
4. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood: An Iconic Feminist Reimagining
Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad is a sharp, witty retelling of Homer’s Odyssey—this time, from Penelope’s perspective. Penelope, the faithful wife of Odysseus, who waits twenty years for his return, narrates her side of the story from the underworld. Atwood adds layers of irony, dark humour, and social commentary, exploring themes of fidelity, power, and the role of women in history.
In a brilliant twist, Atwood also gives voice to the twelve maids who were hanged for their involvement with Penelope’s suitors, adding a chorus of voices long silenced. If you want to read a book right now, think about the FictionMe platform – this is your best chance.
Published as part of the Canongate Myth Series, The Penelopiad is a must-read for anyone interested in how myth can be rewritten for modern sensitivities.
5. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman: A Contemporary Voice for Ancient Tales
Neil Gaiman, known for his rich storytelling in works like American Gods, brings the Norse myths to life with a modern flair in Norse Mythology. With Gaiman’s rewoven tales, wit and humour intertwine like trusted old friends, crafting stories that read like irresistible whispers from a witty uncle. Odin, Thor, Loki—these iconic characters are presented in a way that is accessible to both new readers and longtime mythology fans.
Gaiman refashions the classic narratives, cleverly trimming away the residue of centuries to reveal their bright, beating hearts – pulse-pounding stories that resonate deeply with today’s readers.
With its incredible array of supernatural beings, larger-than-life deities, and courageous mortal champions, Norse mythology holds us spellbound in its fantastical grip. Climbing the New York Times bestseller charts, this updated classic proves we’re still thrilled by the magic of mythology reimagined for today.
6. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes: The Women of the Trojan War
Natalie Haynes’ A Thousand Ships takes a different approach by focusing on the women involved in the Trojan War. Each chapter follows a different female character—goddesses, queens, and even ordinary women—offering a broad, multifaceted view of one of the most famous conflicts in history.
From the grief-stricken mothers of fallen warriors to the resilient survivors of Troy, Haynes gives voice to the women who were often footnotes in traditional tellings. With her sharp, poetic prose, Haynes invites readers to reconsider the importance of these characters in the larger narrative of Greek mythology.
7. Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis: A Philosophical Retelling of Cupid and Psyche
C.S. Lewis built his reputation on The Chronicles of Narnia. As he shifted gears, his debut novel burst onto the scene. This myth retelling deserves way more love than it gets. By flipping the script on the beloved story of Cupid and Psyche, something magical happens. We’re slung into the story through the perspective of Orual, Psyche’s older sister, who’s seething with jealousy.
Through the lens of myth, Lewis masterfully extrapolates the darker facets of human nature – love’s burning passion, jealousy’s crippling grasp, and the elusive quest for self-awareness. Though first published in 1956, Till We Have Faces remains a timeless retelling that feels fresh even today.
8. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: A Heartbreaking Tale of Love and War
Madeline Miller strikes again with The Song of Achilles. Here, Miller revisits the Iliad, but rather than focusing on the battles and the glory, she homes in on the intimate relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. This deeply emotional retelling transforms what was once a footnote in Greek mythology into a heartrending story of love and loss.
Read my review of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller here!
Conclusion
Myths endure because they speak to something universal. What appears to be a wild imagination let loose on the page is, in reality, a sophisticated exploration of the intricate web of relationships that bind us together as human beings.
Rethinking myths means more than just parroting the classics – it’s about fresh perspectives, breathed into characters we thought we knew.
Whether it’s the feminist revisionism of Circe and The Silence of the Girls , or the broad appeal of Norse Mythology , today’s readers are spoiled for choice when it comes to mythological retellings.
Behind the mythical curtain lies a reflection of ourselves – our histories, passions, and neuroses laid bare, attesting to the enduring power of human experience.
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