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Best Greek mythology retellings
Gods, heroes and the women the old stories left out.
Circe by Madeline Miller
The witch of the Odyssey tells her own life. Lyrical and powerful.
+ Super readable, with fascinating background characters, Pasiphaë above all, and a masterful, satisfying ending.
− The pace is unnecessarily languid, and Circe's immortality keeps the stakes constantly low. (summed up from pace, amore, libri)The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Trojan War through Patroclus and Achilles' love story.
+ It shines at the fringes of the Iliad, notably in Briseis's friendship with Patroclus and in Thetis, the most Homeric part.
− Mostly a very straight retelling that smooths out the fierce, destined quality so crucial to the Iliad. (summed up from Reading the End)Mythos by Stephen Fry
The Greek myths retold with warmth and humour. A fun primer.
+ Clever, fun and accessible retellings, lifted by Fry's lively, humorous voice.
− Uneven in style, and the selection of myths is limited. (summed up from Wikipedia (reception))A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
The Trojan War told by the women caught up in it.
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
The Minotaur myth from the princess who helped Theseus.
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