As myth retellings continue to increase in popularity, more are being published now than ever before, spanning into the fantasy and historical fiction sections of bookstores and easily topping best-seller lists.
But, as with every genre, some lesser-known myth retellings don’t always receive the praise and attention they deserve. It can also be hard to keep track of all the retellings constantly being written, while those published years ago are nearly forgotten in favor of what’s new and now.
Here are five myth retellings you may not have heard of but should add to your TBR.
Helen of Sparta
In Amalia Carosella’s Helen of Sparta, readers are introduced to Princess Helen of Sparta, who is a clever girl reduced to nothing but her beauty by everyone around her.
So when a suitor comes along who truly sees Helen for who she is on the inside, her world is forever changed. No, it isn’t Paris of Troy — this book takes place years before the events leading up to the Trojan War. This man is Theseus.
Together, Theseus, of the Minotaur fame, and Helen devise a plan to have Helen escape her cruel world and try to thwart her unhappy and violent fate of causing the Trojan War, which she is granted visions of through nightmares.
She is secreted away to Athens, and for a time, she lives truly happy with Theseus, taking another name and pretending to be an Egyptian princess. The romance element in this book is well done. Who knew Helen and Theseus would rival any other pairing of Helen’s?
Helen of Sparta is also one of those rare retellings that’s rooted in history. Readers feel grounded about what time period the book takes place in from the get-go; throughout the novel, there are many accurate historical details, and even though the mythical gods and goddesses play a role in this book, it still feels more historical than fantasy.
It can be hard to find fresh ideas in myth retellings. This book shines a light on a much more obscure version of Helen’s story: her ‘abduction’ by Theseus. The Egyptian influences of this book are another highlight, as some ancient myths describe an Egyptianized Helen.
Medusa
Medusa by Rosie Hewlett brings fresh energy to the Medusa myth. It’s a short and easy read, yet it packs a punch and leaves you wanting more. Hewlett has Medusa tell us her story from the depths of the Underworld.
Medusa is an immensely likable character in this novel. She’s reclaiming her narrative and relaying the events of her life to us. She’s a strong narrator yet she speaks conversationally, addressing the audience directly and feels like an old friend — you feel an instant camaraderie with her the minute you open this book.
Perseus is another strong character, who is forced into a tragic fate with Medusa. In Medusa, Perseus is allowed to be a hero, yet he is gentle and kind, considerate, and not without feelings of guilt for what he must do.
He doesn’t want to kill Medusa but knows he must. We get his side of the story, without taking away from Medusa’s.
Many retellings don’t capture this complex relationship between Perseus and Medusa because they place these two characters in black-and-white categories when it is not so simple as that.
Hewlett should be applauded immensely for her intimate characterization. There is such beautiful writing and prose in this book, with inspirational and insightful revelations. Despite her snake hair and encounters with gods and goddesses, Medusa is as human and vulnerable as it gets.
Lavinia
Published a few years before the current Greek myth craze, Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin retells a much less familiar Greek myth — rather, a Roman myth — detailing the birth of what would become Ancient Rome.
Lavinia blends Roman and Greek legends and stories, but at the forefront is none other than Lavinia herself. She is the mythical ancestress of Rome, after all, and this book won’t let the men in her life push her aside or diminish her importance no matter how hard they may try.
This book creates a breathtaking and lush world. It’s a beautiful story that turns into a tragedy with Lavinia herself stuck in the middle.
Le Guin is perhaps best known for her fantasy series, and here, she delivers a breathtaking and creative retelling of Lavinia’s story, allowing her to have her own voice for the first time while not deriving too much from the historical time and place.
Lavinia takes place following the events of the Trojan War, with the Trojan hero Aeneas narrowly escaping the burning city to go on to found a new city across the sea. It’s a perilous life for him, and Lavinia must deal with the consequences of letting Aeneas into her home and into her heart.
One of the more fascinating aspects of this novel is that our titular character meets with none other than Virgil, author of the epic Aeneid. Though in that epic tale from the ancient world, Lavinia does not utter one word of dialogue.
It’s clever that the author includes scenes between muse and artist, Lavinia and Virgil, which lends an otherworldly element to this tale.
Penelope’s Daughter
Penelope’s Daughter by Laurel Corona really poses a what if question that more myth retellings should experiment with.
What if Odysseus and Penelope had two children: a son and a daughter? What if Odysseus didn’t even know his daughter existed before he embarked to fight in the Trojan War?
This is an extremely clever story idea worthy of wily Odysseus himself. It’s an imaginative retelling that follows the titular Xanthe as she navigates a treacherous world in the wake of the Trojan War as she comes of age. Her father has been gone for her entire life.
The isle of Ithaca has learned the Trojan War is over, but they do not yet know it will take their king another 10 years to return home. But in Odysseus’ prolonged absence, the island is being overtaken by dangerous suitors vying for Penelope’s hand, so to keep Xanthe safe until her father returns, she is sent to her mother’s cousin, Helen.
Helen of Troy, though now she is back to being Helen of Sparta. Helen is a likeable character who takes Xanthe under her wing. This book explores coming of age, female friendships, and ancient Greek religion, and it offers a unique angle to the conclusion of The Odyssey.
Medea
Medea by Christa Wolf, published decades before the current myth-retelling frenzy, is a re-imagining of Medea’s story. It’s also an allegory for Wolf’s life and experiences in East Germany. A tense read, it’s next to impossible to read without getting chill bumps along your arms.
This is a truly haunting tale. Wolf radically transforms Medea from a hated, wicked, evil witch to a woman. A woman who is beginning to be hated and despised simply because she is different and a foreigner and an easy target.
Almost everyone in her life is turning against her. She is a scapegoat for the city of Corinth’s dark and evil secrets, as she looks different and is originally from the city of Colchis. What will become of her when she is cast out?
Medea will open readers’ eyes to the ancient hatred and fear of powerful women, as well as how easy it is to spread lies about them. Wolf does write in a stream-of-consciousness style, which can be hard to get into at first, but it only heightens this reading experience.
Those who have heard of Medea may only know how evil she is made out to be, but there is more to her myth. This novel is compelling and suspenseful. It’s insightful; there’s something sinister lying underneath the city, and you will be as shocked as Medea when you discover what it is.
One brilliant thing about myth retellings is that reading the original source material is not required to enjoy them. They can certainly draw inspiration from them, but the best add their own spin as well.
That is precisely what this author undertakes here, drawing from her own life to make Medea’s story shockingly real and modern.
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Amanda Larch
Amanda Larch works as a writer and editor when she’s not in the middle of a good book. Learn more about her work and view her portfolio at www.amandalarchwriter.com/ and keep up with her on Goodreads @_groovyginger_.
