Modern Myths: 14 Irreverent Retellings Of Classical Mythology

Classic stories stand the test of time and remain classics for a reason: No matter how many years go by, they still have a way of speaking to us. That being said, sometimes a contemporary take on an old tale can reinvigorate the story. It can make the characters, their trials and their triumphs more real and relatable through the use of modern language, or by bringing them into our own present-day world. If you consider yourself a fan of mythology, or are simply looking for your next good read, stick around for these updated imaginings of classical mythology.

Bull, David Elliott
One of the OG monsters of literature, the Minotaur – according to the ancient Greeks – is what happens when a woman has sex with a bull. Yup. Don’t ask us – ancient Greece was a wild place. If you’re curious about the story, we’ve got the perfect book for you: David Elliott’s Bull is a bawdy, clever and delightfully written modern retelling of the (in)famous Greek myth, in which the characters tell their side of the story in verse. Humorous, impetuous and brimming with profanity, it makes for a highly engaging read.

Mythos, Stephen Fry 
Let’s be honest, most people don’t bother approaching ancient Greek literature outside of the classroom. It’s incredibly old, the language is strange, and it can be incredibly intimidating. If you’ve ever felt this way towards it, but are still interested to dip your toe into mythology, then Stephen Fry’s Mythos is a good place to start your journey. The English comedian, writer and media personality reimagines the lives of ancient Greek gods and goddesses through a humorous lens, using casual language and making valuable comparisons to modern characters or events. It’s also just really, really funny.

The Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood
We think Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, is one of Literature’s most fascinating characters. Based on our reading of The Penelopiad, we can venture to say that Canadian writer Margaret Atwood seems to think so, too. In Atwood’s book, the character reminisces on the events presented in The Odyssey (as well as events in her own life) from her place in 21st-century Hades, unsatisfied with Homer’s portrayal of herself. A chorus composed of her 12 hanged maids also interrupts the narration to share their point of view on certain events, always using different narrative devices. At the end of the day, this is a book about truth, and how it can vary depending on who is telling it.

Circe, Madeline Miller
Not to be dramatic, but you need to drop everything and go read this book. Mostly, we just need someone to discuss it with. Not that Madeline Miller’s Circe is an unknown literary work: It’s a NYT #1 Bestseller, and was named one of the best books of 2018 by the Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Business Insider and Buzzfeed, among many others. What is it about? It’s a bold (arguably feminist) retelling of Circe, one of The Odyssey’s secondary characters and another of its maligned women. Both epic and intimate, Miller has triumphed at storytelling and given Western literature’s first and most infamous witch a larger-than-life story.

The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller
Normal people sob and blubber over Achilles, right? They don’t? Oh. Well, we certainly did, and we can pretty much guarantee you will, too, when you pick up Madeline Miller’s other award-winning work, The Song of Achilles. In it, “the best of all the Greeks”, the imposing son of Thetis and Peleus, is reimagined as an irresistible yet flawed young man. In this modern and exciting take on Homer’s Iliad, it’s his lover – the awkward young prince Patroclus, exiled from his homeland – who tells his story. A tale of honour, legacy and a bond as strong as an Olympian, yes, but also a touching story about love.

A Thousand Ships, Natalie Haynes
When war is waged, it affects both the men who go fight it and the women who are left behind. Natalie Haynes knows this, and in A Thousand Ships, she makes a point of focusing on the stories of the women caught up in a war they didn’t start (well, with the exception of Helen, perhaps) and which managed to remove the floor from under them, destroying everything they held dear. Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, it’s the Trojan War – where the women shall be silent no more.

Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman
Gaiman has long been interested in mythology, and he’s become a master at staying true to the original tales while simultaneously enriching them with his deft, sharp prose. In Norse Mythology, he focuses on the different myths regarding the Norse pantheon – you know, Thor, Loki, Odin, the whole gang – and its ethos. Cut through with guile, humour and divine exploits, you won’t want to skip this one.

The Palace of Illusions, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Mahabharata is a Sanskrit epic from ancient India, packed with philosophical teachings and grandiose tales, and also known as “the longest poem ever written”. The Palace of Illusions gives voice to one of the epic’s heroines, fire-born Panchaali. Best-selling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s straightforward prose makes her story easy to read, all while showing great appreciation for and mastery of Indian tradition and lyricism.

xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myths, Kate Bernheimer
Out with the old, in with new. xo Orpheus signifies a farewell to dated ways of mythmaking. In it, 50 different writers imagine their own versions of myths from around the world. Be prepared to find Icarus flying around, Aztec jaguar gods roaming our world, not to mention a brand new Trojan horse. From Greek myths to Indian epics, Inuit folklore and Punjabi traditions, it’s all there in Kate Bernheimer’s collection.

The Mere Wife, Maria Dahvana Headley
Beowulf is one of the English language’s most often translated pieces of work. The Mere Wife, from New York Times bestselling author Maria Dahvana Headley, is a modern retelling of the brave tale, but set in American suburbia. Didn’t think the suburbs could be exciting? Well, think again. The book tells the story from the viewpoint of two mothers – a hardened veteran and a housewife with a charmed life –  bringing it into our times with resounding success.

The Once and Future King, T.H. White
T.H. White’s The Once and Future King is based on Sir Thomas Malory’s famous Le Morte d’Arthur. It’s a powerful retelling of King Arthur’s legend, filled with fantasy, adventure and romance, so be prepared to gasp and swoon as you turn the pages. And no need to fret: none of the original epic’s grandeur is lost in this enchanting modern literary work.

The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley
If you’re either a romantic at heart or an old soul, you’ve probably swooned at Arthurian legends before. And you’ve probably read about Morgan le Fay – distant priestess, evil sorceress, wicked force working against the Round Table. The Mists of Avalon is a historical fantasy novel which stands as an incredible retelling of her story. Rather than a one-dimensional antagonist, she’s cast as a strong woman with unique gifts and responsibilities in a time of upheaval, where Christianity threatens to destroy her pagan ways.

The Wrath and the Dawn, Renée Ahdieh
Arabian Nights meets Game of Thrones in The Wrath and the Dawn, Renée Ahdieh’s bold retelling of the One Thousand and One Nights tale. An utter page-turner, filled with suspense and lush with detail, it follows the story of 16-year-old Shahrzad, whose beloved friend becomes a victim to Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan who takes a new bride each night only to have her murdered by sunrise. A tale of vengeance and unforeseeable love, you won’t want to miss it.

The Famished Road, Ben Okri
Nigerian author Ben Okri’s The Famished Road is the first novel in a trilogy. The book was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1991, and combines impressive literary technique with innovation and wit. A first-rate work of writing, it follows the story of Azaro, an abiku or spirit child – in Nigerian Yoruba tradition, a being that exists between the realms of life and death. A hypnotic tale – at times sad, at times tragic – it won’t leave you, even long after you’ve put it down.