5 Novels based on Greek Mythology

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller 

“And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone.”

Retellings of Greek myths are not a new phenomenon, in classical times poets such as Aeschylus wrote stories about the loving relationship between the great Achilles and his companion Patrocles. The nature of their relationship remains a controversial subject amongst classicists. Centuries after Homer's death the philosopher Plato professed the relationship between the two as romantic and not at all platonic. The Song of Achilles is a modern retelling of the story of Achilles and his lover Patrocles. The events leading up to the Trojan war (and the end of the war) is told from the perspective of Patrocles, Achilles' squire and romantic interest. Although released in 2011 (and awarded The Orange Prize for Fiction in 2012), the book remains popular and has been translated in numerous languages.  

A Thousand Ships - Natalie Haynes 

"It does hurt, I whispered. It should hurt. She isn't a footnote, she's a person. And she - all the Trojan women - should be memorialised as much as any other person."

An often overlooked subject about the Trojan war is role of women in it. Both the Iliad and the Odyssey have important female characters, such as the goddess Athena or the female warriors of the Amazons. A Thousand Ships tells the story of the war through the perspective of women: that of Trojan women seeing their holy city being destroyed by the Greeks, and Greek women waiting for the return of their loved ones. Critics have described it as a great feminist retelling of the Epic Cycle. 

Elektra - Jennifer Saint

“The gods demand their justice, but we suffer for it every time.”

A curse rests on the house of Atreus, of which Agamemnon and Menolaus are the chieftains. Elektra is all about the effects of this curse on the lives of the three women: Clytemnestra, Cassandra and Elektra. Clytemnestra is the sister of Helen and wife of Menelaus: king of Sparta. After her sister Helen is abducted, Menelaus and his brother Agememnon wage their war against the Trojans for Helen. Leaving Clytemnestra all alone in Sparta. Cassandra is a Trojan priestess and daughter of king Priam. Apollo curses Cassandra by giving her the ability to predict the future, while at the same time making everyone distrust her predictions. Neither her father nor brothers believe her predictions of doom for Troy, cursing Cassandra with the inability to change fate. On the Greek side there's Elektra, daughter of king Agememnon and Clytemnestra. Elektra sees the devestation that war causes, and fears that the cruel gods of Olympus will strike her with a cruse as well. Only time can tell how merciful the gods can be for the princess.  

The Silence Of The Girls - Pat Barker

“Great Achilles. Brilliant Achilles, shining Achilles, godlike Achilles … How the epithets pile up. We never called him any of those things; we called him ‘the butcher’.”

The first word in Homer's Iliad is 'menin', which translated to wrath in English. Achiles' anger plays a central role in the story of the Iliad, anger caused by Agememnon's decision to take away his concubine Briseis. "Anger be now your song, immortal one, Akhilleus’ anger, doomed and ruinous, that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss and crowded brave souls into the undergloom, leaving so many dead men - carrion for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done". Homer's depiction of the son of Peleus is everything but benevolent. The Silence Of The Girls is about the pain that the women of Troy experienced. The story is told from the perspective of Briseis, who sees her loved ones being slaughtered by Achilles. The Silence Of The Girls manages to tell the story of the Trojan war from a more critical perspective. 

The Odyssey - Homer (translated by Emily Wilson)

“Muse, tell me how he wandered and was lost
when he had wrecked the holy town of Troy,
and where he went, and who he met, the pain
he suffered in the storms at sea, and how
he worked to save his life and bring his men
back home”

The last book on our list is a recent translation of Homer's Odyssey by Emily Wilson. The story of the cunning and genius Odysseus and his odyssey to home. Years have past since the sacking of Troy and many soldiers have returned to their kingdoms, expect for brave Odysseus. His family starts to wonder about his whereabouts and if he'll ever return to lord over his kingdom. The original text was written in Acient Greek, a language no longer spoken. Historically translations have always been done by male classisists, Wilson's translation being the first done by a female academic. This last part is important given that each translation is unique because of interpretation and perspective. Wilson wanted to honor the female characters in the Odyssey. The result is a very modern and accessible book that has been praised by both readers and the academic world. Wilson is currently working on a translation of the Iliad, which should be released in a few years.

So far our picks for modern books on the Trojan war. Our delivery estimates depend on the product ordered. Product that are on stock can be shipped on the same day when ordered on workdays before 16:00. Checkout our FAQ page for more information on our delivery terms. Or visit our store at the Coolsingel, checkout our opening hours here.