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Books Based on Mythology

A trend that’s been around for a while and shows no sign of slowing down is the popularity of books that are based on myths and legends. To me there’s comfort to be found in reading stories with these familiar themes, and yet I also love the way an author’s unique perspective can make them feel completely modern as well.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are some of the books based on mythology that I have loved.

Books based on myths and legends

Books Based in Myths and Legends

Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann. While this is a completely modern-day story, it has elements of classic Greek and Roman myths at its heart. March returns to his hometown of Olympus, Texas pretty sure he won’t be welcomed with open arms. He left after getting caught sleeping with his brother’s wife. March isn’t a stranger to family drama though; his father Peter is well-known for his affairs and the children they’ve produced outside his marriage. Despite a lot of characters making pretty terrible choices, I found myself completely engrossed in their stories and rooting for them. I recommend this is if you love a multi-layered family drama.

Circe by Madeline Miller. This is an excellent retelling of Circe’s story, but told in a new way, with strong feminist themes. I didn’t learn a lot about Greek myths in school, but my ignorance of Circe’s story did not make this book any less enjoyable. Somehow Miller takes the ancient tale and makes it feel fresh without losing any of its historical relevance. This was excellent and I recommend it to anyone who thinks Greek myths could use more stories told from a woman’s perspective.

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie. I didn’t know until after I read this that Home Fire is based on Antigone, a play by Sophocles, which is based on a Theban myth. I wasn’t at all familiar with the story, and you don’t need to be to appreciate this beautiful novel. After her mother’s death, Isma put her dream of going to America to study on hold in order to care for her younger siblings. Once they’re mostly grown, Isma embraces her freedom and leaves London to study under her American mentor. She worries about her sister Aneeka, still in London, and her brother Parvaiz, who has disappeared, they fear, to follow in the footsteps of their jihadist father. When Eamonn, the son of a local and controversial politician, enters their lives, their already fragile relationships become even more tenuous. Home Fire examines what it means to be loyal, the importance of family, and how the “right thing” isn’t always clear.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. Fantasy is not my usual genre, but I’m so glad I went outside my comfort zone and read this. It mixes fantasy elements, Arthurian legend, African American history and magic, all on a campus setting. The way Deonn layered all these elements together was genius, and I ended up absolutely loving it and not being able to put it down. Deonn’s mix of mythical and modern day was beautifully done and it was one I couldn’t put down.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. This is a middle grade novel I read aloud to Jona last year, and we both really enjoyed it. I couldn’t write a post about books based on mythology without including this one (the first in a series, although this is all I’ve read). Percy Jackson can’t seem to stay out of trouble; he’s kicked out of every boarding school he goes to, thanks to a temper he can’t seem to control. Eventually learns why he feel so different from other kids… his dad happens to be a god. This was a fun adventure and great introduction to the world of Greek mythology.

Outlawed by Anna North. Outlawed is a bit of an outlier here as it’s not a retelling of a specific myth, but it does hint at stories of the western legend Billy the Kid, yet told in a new way. It is an alternate history where women are valued only for their ability to marry and bear children. If they can’t, they’re accused of witchcraft, sent to a convent, or—like the main character, Ada—they become outlaws. I loved this page-turning yet introspective novel that explores what it means to be a woman in society.

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman. This is a short story anthology of 15 retellings of Asian myths and legends. I wasn’t familiar with any of the stories going in, but I thought this was such a great introduction. The reimagined tales were immersive and well-written, and I also loved that each one was followed by a summary of the original story it was based on. A short-story collection like this one is a good way to get a taste of a genre that I don’t normally pick up.

Lovely War by Julie Berry. The concept of a World War I love story narrated by Greek Gods was hard to imagine, yet so well done. I felt so immersed in the stories of James, Hazel, Aubrey, and Collette; while I don’t know that this book will stick with me the way some of my favorites do, it was such a wonderful reading experience. Also, similar to my feelings about food, I appreciate when music is woven so beautifully into a story. This one stands out from the others here, because instead of the retelling of an ancient tale, instead it’s a (more) modern tale but with ancient characters who insert themselves into the stories.

On my TBR

A few books based on myths and legends that I haven’t yet read but want to are: A Thousand Ships, The Song of Achilles, and Till We Have Faces.

Do you enjoy books with mythical themes?

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