Can’t Get Enough of ‘The Odyssey’? These 5 Books Are Calling Your Name
From Greek myths to feminist retellings, these novels offer fresh takes on Homer's timeless epic
Key Takeaways
- These 5 books reimagine 'The Odyssey' through fresh, often feminist perspectives.
- Margaret Atwood gives Penelope her own voice in 'The Penelopiad.'
- 'Circe' traces her journey from her father's court to exile on the island of Aiaia.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is one of the hottest movies of the summer thanks to its riveting plot, A-list cast and stunning visuals. For those unfamiliar with the source material, The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem written by Homer. It’s divided into 24 books that follow the hero Odysseus on his perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, which was depicted in Homer’s earlier work, The Iliad.
Written over 2,700 years ago, The Odyssey has inspired countless adaptations over the centuries. Authors have reimagined Homer’s classic tale in various forms to make it more accessible and relevant to modern audiences. To discover the best retellings of this timeless story, keep scrolling.
Best retellings of ‘The Odyssey’
From coming-of-age adventures to feminist reimaginings, here are the best retellings of ‘The Odyssey.’
‘Sea of Monsters’ by Rick Riordan
The second book in Rick Riordan’s bestselling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series finds Percy facing a new crisis when his beloved Camp Half-Blood comes under attack. The only way to save it is by embarking on a perilous journey to the Sea of Monsters, where the deadly Cyclops Polyphemus guards the one thing that can restore the camp’s magical defenses: the Golden Fleece. Racing against time with his friends Annabeth and Tyson, Percy must navigate treacherous waters and face mythological terrors only a few other Greek heroes have faced. Can they retrieve the Fleece before Camp Half-Blood falls? Only time will tell.
What readers are saying: “I love Greek Mythology with all my heart, and I love a good Rick Riordan book. This was my first read of the summer and I almost liked it more than The Lightning Thief. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
‘The Penelopiad’ by Margaret Atwood
Odysseus’ wife Penelope takes center stage in this novel written by Margaret Atwood, the bestselling author of The Handmaid’s Tale. While in the underworld, Penelope visits Hades and reveals what happened to her during the events of The Odyssey. From the loneliness she felt to how she managed to survive, she leaves nothing out and Hades is captivated by it all. A gorgeous retelling that will have readers second-guessing everything in The Odyssey.
What readers are saying: “This is a positively brilliant account of a timeless classic told with voices that have been brutally silenced or at the least not considered remotely relevant in the past. Thank you Margaret Atwood for this!”
‘Circe’ by Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller delivers a spellbinding reimagining of Circe, the witch goddess from The Odyssey. This sweeping tale traces Circe’s journey from growing up with her father, the Sun God Helios, to her lonely exile on the island of Aiaia. Banished and underestimated, Circe discovers her own formidable power while navigating encounters with mortals and gods alike. Through love, loss and hard-won wisdom, she transforms from an outcast into a force to be reckoned with.
What readers are saying: “What Madeline Miller has done is something special and hopefully can be taught alongside Homer in Classics courses in the future. Despite it being a retelling of stories thousands of years old, its style is modern and relevant. I highly recommend it.”
‘Ithaca’ by Claire North
From award-winning author Claire North comes a feminist retelling through the eyes of Hera, Greek goddess of marriage, women and family. While Odysseus was gone, the women were left to run Ithaca. Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, was one of them. When he was around she was safe, but now that he’s gone, suitors are banging on Penelope’s door begging her to wed one of them so they can take the throne. But Penelope knows that her choice holds power. She also knows that her husband could come home at any minute, making her choice almost impossible.
What readers are saying: “If you do choose to travel to Ithaca hand-in-hand with the goddess Hera, and I really hope you will, be prepared to settle in for this exquisitely written, slow-burn ancient myth reimagining that will leave you feeling empowered and hopeful.”
‘The Silence of the Girls’ by Pat Barker
This 2018 novel recounts the story of The Iliad through the eyes of Briseis, a Trojan queen taken as a slave by Achilles as his reward for the sack of Lyrnessus, a brutal attack during the Trojan War. As the battle wages on for years, Briseis struggles to survive in the Greek encampments, bearing witness to the brutality and politics of war from a perspective Homer never gave her. In the sequel, The Women of Troy, Barker continues her feminist reimagining by exploring the aftermath of the war—the period that follows The Odyssey—revealing what happened to the women left behind after Troy’s fall and the heroes’ departure. A fun series that will leave readers speechless.
What readers are saying: “I have always known of The Iliad and its characters, but I had no idea how they all fit together. This is a wonderful way to learn the story in a lighter format. I gained so much knowledge from this book.”
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