4 Greek Mythology Retellings & Reimaginings to Add to Your TBR for 2024

Posted: 1 August 2024

Ancient Greece has become a wildly popular book setting for new releases in recent years. Heart-breaking stories of hatred and loss, empowering tales of revenge and sacrifice and the unshackled narratives of silenced female voices have pioneered and championed this branch of historical fiction.

2023 was a year of absolute excellence in the world of Greek mythology retellings and reimaginings. Carefully selected for lovers of Madeline Miller’s Circe and Pat Baker’s Silence of the Girls, this list is the crème de la crème. Read on with your 2024 TBR list at the ready!

Jennifer Saint is a well-established Sunday Times bestselling historical fiction writer, renowned for “forging mesmerising retellings of ancient Greek myths from a female perspective” (Waterstones). Atalanta is her third Greek mythology retelling following her debut novel Ariadne, published in 2021, and Elektra, published in 2022.

Atalanta was born a daughter, much to the disappointment of king Iasus of Arcadia who sorely wished for a son. Abandoned as a defenceless infant in the wilderness, Atalanta was raised alongside a litter of bear cubs and was watched over by the cubs’ mother bear and the protective eye of the goddess Artemis.

“Can she carve out her own place in the legends in a world made for men?”

Saint’s novel plunges the reader into Atalanta’s story through beautiful, immersive prose. Two paths lie ahead for Atalanta: regain her father’s approval by marrying the object of the passionate love affair she finds herself swept up into, or follow Artemis’ plan by actualising her potential as a great warrior and joining Jason’s band of Argonauts.

Excitingly, Saint’s fourth Greek mythology retelling Hera was published in May 2024. This not-to-be-missed release is now available for purchase here.

Having previously authored five critically acclaimed books, Robert Dinsdale recently returned to the publishing scene to release his novel Once A Monster, “[mixing] history and mythology with great panache” (Sunday Times). The author is best-known for his whimsical, magical style of storytelling, as seen in his bestselling novel The Toymakers.

The legend of the Minotaur has long served as a great creative inspiration in art, media and literature. As well as creatives drawing on the hybrid man-bull creature itself, many have taken inspiration from the complex labyrinth which contained the minotaur, with others adopting the pertinent themes of otherness, morality and justice. Notably, in November 2023, BAFTA-nominated film Saltburn brought the tale of the Minotaur to the big screen, using symbolism to link the ancient myth to a twenty-first century story.

“Nell is forced to make a decision which will change her life forever…”

Dinsdale’s novel follows a similar vein, this time linking the ancient Greek legend with Victorian London. Once A Monster follows ten-year-old Nell, a member of a mudlark crew who, during a routine search of the Thames, discovers the body of a peculiar, matted, horned creature. The unfolding story is a refreshing and unique take with distinctive Dickensian undertones and a cleverly constructed labyrinthine plot.

Once A Monster is a wonderful reimagining of the traditional myth, rich and vibrant with genius imagination. It is a must-read for “lovers of historical fiction with a mythical twist” (Macmillan).

This exciting new release is Claire North’s second Greek mythology retelling, her first being the critically acclaimed Ithica, a Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the Year. House of Odysseus is the second book in North’s Songs of Penelope series, bringing a “powerful, fresh and unflinching voice to ancient myth” (Jennifer Saint, author of Sunday Times bestseller Ariadne).

Penelope is the daughter of king Icarius of Sparta but is best known as the wife of king Odysseus of Ithica. Odysseus is one of the most prominent and legendary figures of Ancient Greek mythology and is renowned as the protagonist of Homer’s two major epic poems, The Odyssey and The Iliad. However, queen Penelope is an accomplished and revered mythological figure in her own right, having single-handedly ruled over and protected the kingdom of Ithica for twenty years in her husband’s stead. North highlights and restores this reputation in House of Odysseus.

 “Each woman has a secret. And their secrets will shape the world.”

House of Odysseus unshackles Penelope’s voice and places her centre stage, detailing her resilience and dauntlessness in maintaining peace and order in her kingdom despite the blazing fury and violent whims of the two mad kings on Ithica’s shores. The novel also explores Penelope’s ardent and steadfast friendships with Elektra and Helen of Troy. Beautiful, lyrical prose fills every page of this book, forming an “impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of Ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history” (Booklist).

The eagerly anticipated third book in North’s Songs of Penelope series, The Last Song of Penelope, was released in June 2024 and is now available to purchase here.

Clytemnestra is a true masterpiece from debut novelist Constanza Casati. The author released the novel at just twenty-eight years old following her studies of Ancient Greece and Ancient Greek Literature in Northern Italy and her completion of the prestigious Warwick Writing MA.

A formidable and fiercely intelligent female protagonist, Greek mythology’s Clytemnestra was the mortal daughter of king Tyndareus of Sparta and the half-sister of the beautiful Helen of Troy, the woman said to have infamously sparked the ten-year Trojan War.

“If power isn’t given to you, you have to take it for yourself.”

Casati’s novel explores the intense pain and suffering that plagued Clytemnestra’s marriage to the tyrannous king Agamemnon, her endurance and patience under his oppressive totalitarian rule, and the fierce determination and relentlessness of her inevitable vengeance.

The novel is a true emotional feat which explores stoicism in the face of adversity, resilience in the face of injustice, and unwavering determination rising from the ashes of hatred and tyranny.

Babylonia, Casati’s second Greek mythology retelling, hit shelves in July 2024. Given the mastery of the author’s work so far, this release is a guaranteed awe-inspiring and exceptional read. The novel is now available to purchase here.

Want to try something a little different with spooky season fast approaching? For nostalgic, witchy reads to curl up with this autumn, choose your next cosy favourite from our list of Highly Anticipated Witchy New Releases.