Myths, legends and fairytales have been passed down endlessly- the combination of love and war, gods and monsters, fate and human frailty never ceasing to fascinate us.

Below are ten recommendations, from contemporary reimagings-novels to give voice to traditionally silenced characters; to genre-bending poetry collections. I hope you find something that spirits you away. 

1)The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec 

What Madeline Miller did for the figure of Circe, Genevieve Gornichec now does for the mother of monsters, Angrboda. In this reimagined Norse myth, Gornichec takes up the mantle with a beautifully wrought feminist retelling of the prophetic witch. 

Her journey is a heartbreaking, epic and beautiful tribute to the power of love and hope. Both a love story and a war epic; The Witch’s Heart gives a voice to the oft-silent women of myth and legend.

2) The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood 

Atwood’s retelling follows the story of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus who is left alone in Ithaca when he goes to war. 

In the book, Penelope finally gets the chance to tell her side of the story, revealing the truth behind some of Odysseus’ character and the reality of her long wait for his return. 

In The Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood expertly explores misogyny, power and the importance of whose voice is heard. 

3)  Fablesque by Anna Maria Hong

Hong’s dazzling hybrid poetry collection Fablesque features the adventures of Siren, Ouranus and Kronos; from the Greek-Roman tradition; along with fairy tale and fable refigurations. 

A carnivalesque exploration of gender, colonialism, trauma and the slipperiness of identity; this unflinching and often disturbing collection breathes new life into ancient legends.

4) Oreo by Fran Ross 

Oreo is a wickedly humorous play retelling of the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur, with a feminist twist. 

In the original myth, Theseus must find his way through the labyrinth to defeat the Minotaur, fulfilling his destiny. Fran Ross’ eponymous hero is on a quest to find her father who vanished when she was just a baby, leaving behind a mysterious note. 

As Oreo searches for her father in the labyrinth of Manhattan, her journey becomes one of self-discovery; challenging accepted notions of race, ethnicity and identity, enabling her to break free of the myths that have always constrained her.

5) Everything Under  by Daisy Johnson             

Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize,  Daisy Johnson’s novel is a bewitching, experimental retelling of a classical myth; drawing on fairytales, riddles and gender studies. 

This is a loose re-telling of a Greek myth; but if you don’t know which one beforehand, I would urge you to go in blind. 

At its heart this is a book about family; lost and found. The novel follows different narrative strands that converge and inform each other: Gretel in her cottage, reunited with her mother who is struggling with dementia. Readers also follow Gretel during the fateful winter her mother left her and Gretel tells Marcus’ story: the boy who spent a few weeks with them before her mother disappeared. 

The story is told exquisitely from different perspectives, exploring ideas of liminality, identity and memory. Johnson’s use of language is absolutely stunning, she creates an atmosphere so mesmerizing it felt like coming up for air whenever I needed to stop reading. Fans of Jeanette Winterson or Angela Carter will adore this. 

6) Sistersong by Lucy Holland 

Set in myth and magic-filled ancient Britain, Lucy Holland's Sistersong is based upon the traditional folk ballad of 'The Two Sisters'. 

A tale of betrayal, love and destruction set amongst a dead king's warring family, this powerful, lyrical novel tells the stories of three women, who all secretly long for what they can't have. 

As they search for love, healing and adventure, Riva, Keyne and Sinne will shape the future of a nation for centuries to come. Definitely recommended for those interested in YA fiction, twisted fairy-tales and/or historical fiction with a generous pinch of magic. 

7) Brand New Ancients by Kate Tempest

Kae Tempest’s poetry collection Brand New Ancients skilfully braids classical Greek myth into the intertwined tale of two families set in a modern city, telling stories of love, betrayal, loss and revenge.

It is philosophical, urgent, hopeful and captivating, commenting on contemporary issues of social inequality, disillusionment and everyday heroism.

If you feel skittish about reading poetry, this is poetry with a plot and characters that will pull you along. Also, the audio version is incredible- allowing you to fully experience Tempest’s lyrical genius. 

8) Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Home Fire is a subtle reimagining of Antigone, addressing contemporary social issues as well as universal themes. 

The novel book begins with the protagonist, Isma, being detained at Heathrow due to racial profiling and introduces the readers to themes of racism and religious divides that the novel explores. 

The novel goes on to explore Isma’s relationships with two important men in her life: Eamonn, the son of a conservative Pakistani-British Parliamentarian and her brother Parvaiz who has been radicalized by the Islamic State. 

Kamila Shamsie beautifully balances the exploration of the clash between faith, family and prejudice in the modern world while echoing the themes of the ancient myth.  

9) House of Names by Colm Tóilbín 

A vivid, heart-rendering retelling of the tragedy of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. 

Opening with the sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia and Clymnestra’s vow for revenge, the novel weaves together the voices and tales of Clytemnestra, her daughter Electra, and son Orestes. 

This is not an easy read. Death, pain and loss saturate the book and Toilbin depicts a mother’s grief in Clymenstra’s voice with searing, almost unbearable clarity.  However, for an in-depth examination of human fragility, vengeance and connection, I thoroughly recommend it. 

10) Women and Other Monsters: Building A New Mythology  by Jess Zimmerman 

Whilst not strictly a retelling, this essay collection is a cultural analysis of female monsters within Greek mythology, from Medusa to the Furies and how these ideas still constrain women today- whether through ambition, greed, anger, being too sexy or not sexy enough.

Drawing parallels with contemporary gender norms and ancient female-coded monsters, Jess Zimmerman critiques the narrow parameters of acceptable ‘womanhood’ and urges readers to reclaim the power of their own monstrousness.       

Written by Hannah Stephings 

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