The Best Books on Greek Myths - Five Books Expert Recommendations

20 Best Greek Mythology Books | Books and Bao

The 26 Best Greek Mythology Books to Read in 2022

20 must-read Greek mythology books and retellings

A Novel

Una Novela

The Song of Achilles

La Canción de Aquiles

Circe

A Thousand Ships

Mil Barcos

Stephen Fry's Greek Myths, Book 1

"Los Mitos Griegos de Stephen Fry, Libro 1"

Mythos

Mito

The Silence of the Girls

El Silencio de las Chicas

Ariadne

A decade after the collapse of Troy, the legendary Greek warrior, Odysseus, has yet to return to his realm in Ithaca. His palace has been invaded by a large and unruly crowd of suitors courting his wife, Penelope, who remains loyal to her absent husband. The pair's son, Prince Telemachus, yearns to expel them, yet lacks the courage and experience to do so. One suitor, Antinous, intends to assassinate the young prince, thereby eliminating the only challenge to their rule. 

Odysseus, unbeknownst to the suitors, is alive but trapped on the island of Ogygia by the nymph Calypso, who is in love with him. He yearns for home, yet lacks the means to escape. As the gods and goddesses debate his fate, Athena, his biggest divine advocate, decides to help Telemachus. Disguised, she persuades the prince to call a meeting, reproaching the suitors and embarking on a journey to learn of his father’s fate. Back in Ithaca, the suitors plot to ambush and kill Telemachus upon his return. 

Zeus commands Hermes to free Odysseus from Calypso's clutches. Despite a storm sent by the vengeful sea god Poseidon, Odysseus sets sail and eventually finds refuge in Scheria, the home of the Phaeacians. They are captivated by his stories and promise him a safe journey home. Once back in Ithaca, Odysseus and Telemachus, who has survived the suitors' ambush, plan to reclaim their home. Odysseus's return and the subsequent massacre of the suitors brings a thrilling end to his long, arduous journey.

The Odyssey

La Odisea

12 Outstanding Greek Mythology Books That Open the Doors to the Past

Nine years into the Trojan War, the Achaean army seizes control of Chryse, a town allied with Troy. Two captivating maidens, Chryseis and Briseis, are taken captive in the clash, with Chryseis falling into the hands of Agamemnon, the Achaean leader, and Briseis taken by Achilles, their most formidable warrior. Despite a hefty ransom offered by Chryseis's father, a priest of Apollo, Agamemnon refuses to release her which results in a plague being unleashed on the Achaean camp by Apollo. Agamemnon eventually concedes to returning Chryseis but demands Briseis from Achilles as recompense, leading to a furious Achilles retreating to his tent and refusing to participate in the war. Having his mother, the sea-nymph Thetis, call upon Zeus to aid in the Achaeans' downfall, the war takes a dramatic turn with the Trojans violating a cease-fire agreement and receiving Zeus's protection.

With the Trojans backed by Zeus and Achilles still refusing to battle, the Achaeans suffer great losses. Despite several days of intense combat including face-offs between Paris and Menelaus, and Hector and Ajax, the Achaeans make no headway. The onslaught of the Trojans forces the Achaeans to retreat behind their ship-protecting ramparts. While a nighttime reconnaissance mission by Diomedes and Odysseus provides a glimmer of hope, disaster ensues the next day with several Achaean leaders wounded, the Trojans breaching the ramparts, and a ship set ablaze. With the ships crucial to their survival, defeat seems inescapable for the Achaeans. 

Still reluctant to join the fight, Achilles agrees to Nestor's plan to have his dear friend Patroclus don his armor and fight in his stead. Despite initial success, the counterattack falters when Patroclus is killed by Hector. A battle ensues for the body and armor of Patroclus, with Hector securing the armor but the Achaeans retrieving the body. Learning of Patroclus's death at the hands of Hector sends Achilles into a fit of grief and rage, prompting him to reconcile with Agamemnon and reenter the war. With a new suit of armor forged by Hephaestus and brought by Thetis, Achilles returns to the battlefield, leading the Achaean army against a terrified Trojan army. Finally, after a dramatic duel, Achilles slays Hector and drags his body across the battlefield. After a period of mourning with athletic games in honor of Patroclus, Hector's body is returned to the Trojans following a plea from his father, King Priam. A temporary truce is agreed upon and Hector is given a hero's funeral.

The Iliad

La Ilíada

Percy Jackson, Book 1

Percy Jackson, Libro 1

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson, an often misunderstood boy with dyslexia and ADHD, lives with his mother and detestable stepfather. His life takes a bizarre turn when, during a school trip, his math teacher morphs into a monster and attacks him. Saved by another teacher, Mr. Brunner, who hands him a pen that transforms into a sword, Percy defeats his monstrous teacher. However, no one else seems to remember her. After being expelled from school and witnessing ominous signs of death, he and his mother flee their home, pursued by a monster. During their escape, Percy's mother vanishes in a golden light, leaving Percy and his friend Grover, who reveals himself to be a satyr, to continue to a magical camp, Camp Half-Blood.

Once at the camp, Percy discovers he is a demi-god, the child of a mortal and a god, but his divine parent is unknown. He meets other campers who are children of gods, including wise Annabeth, rebellious Luke, and confrontational Clarisse. After a clash with Clarisse, Percy learns his father is Poseidon, one of the three most powerful gods. However, this revelation is interrupted by a hellhound attack, and Percy is sent on a perilous quest. He learns that Zeus, the king of the gods, has accused Poseidon of stealing his lightning bolt, and Percy must return it before a war between the gods breaks out.

Percy, Grover, and Annabeth embark on a cross-country journey to the Underworld, believing Hades, god of the dead, to be the true thief. They encounter and battle numerous mythical creatures along the way, including the gorgon Medusa and a monstrous casino owner named Crusty. When they finally reach the Underworld, Percy finds himself falsely accused of stealing both Zeus's bolt and Hades' helm of darkness. After escaping the Underworld using magical pearls, the trio confronts Ares, the god of war, who they realize had manipulated them. Percy defeats Ares, obtains the stolen items, and returns them to their rightful owners. Percy's mother reappears, and they return home, where she uses Medusa's head to turn Percy's stepfather into a statue. Back at camp, Percy learns that Luke had been the original thief, stealing the items for the Titan Kronos, and makes plans to confront him next summer.

The Lightning Thief

El ladrón del rayo

D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths

Libro de Mitos Griegos de D'Aulaires

Voicing her story from beyond the grave, Penelope, the spouse of Odysseus, shares her perspective on the iconic events laid out in the Odyssey. Accompanied by her twelve handmaidens, who were executed by Odysseus and her son, Telemachus, she reveals her past. Born to King Icarius of Sparta and a half-nymph mother, her father attempted to drown her as an infant. She was rescued by ducks, and her father's reasons for attempting to take her life remain a mystery. Along with her mother's icy demeanor, she learned to be wary of others. Penelope and her handmaidens contrast their childhoods, highlighting their suffering compared to her privileged yet solitary upbringing. At fifteen, various men vie for her hand in marriage, and Odysseus, king of distant Ithaca, wins by cheating assisted by her uncle. After their wedding, they travel to Ithaca, where she finds herself isolated with no female companions. A year after giving birth to Telemachus, they learn of her cousin Helen's elopement with Paris, a Trojan prince. This prompts a war, which forces Odysseus to leave for battle. In his absence, several suitors arrive at the palace, seeking to marry Penelope for her wealth.

To stall for time until Odysseus's return, Penelope keeps her suitors at bay by claiming to be weaving a funeral shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes, and will not choose a husband until it's finished. In secret, she and her twelve trusted maids unravel the shroud each night, ensuring no progress is made. The maids also mingle with the suitors, sharing disparaging remarks about Penelope and Telemachus. Although Penelope is uncomfortable with this arrangement, the information she gains is too valuable to abandon the plan. When the suitors discover her deception with the shroud, she vows to complete it and select a spouse.

Not long after, Odysseus returns to Ithaca in disguise. Penelope recognizes him but pretends not to for his dignity. She organizes an archery contest amongst the suitors, fully aware that only Odysseus could string his bow. Asleep in her room, likely under the influence of a drug, Odysseus wins the contest, reveals his identity, and kills the suitors. He then orders his old nurse, Eurycleia, to identify the disloyal maids. Following the nurse's signs, Odysseus and Telemachus hang Penelope's twelve maids. Odysseus discloses his true identity to Penelope, who feigns surprise, before departing on another journey to purge himself of his deeds. In the afterlife, Penelope is unable to communicate with the handmaidens, who shun her. She often encounters Helen, whom she blames for the Trojan War, and the suitors, who hold her accountable for their demise. Each time Odysseus dies, Penelope reunites with him, but he continually opts to be reborn, haunted by the maids in both the underworld and the living world.

15 Best Greek Mythology Books of All Time

The Song of Achilles

A Novel

Circe

A Thousand Ships

A Novel

Mythos

Stephen Fry's Greek Myths, Book 1

The Silence of the Girls

A Novel

Ariadne

A Novel

The Odyssey

The Iliad

The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson, Book 1

D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths

The Penelopiad

The Women of Troy

A Novel

Lore

The Greek Myths

Fifteen Dogs

Sources

What To Read Next

15 Best Greek Mythology Books of All Time

The Song of Achilles

A Novel

Circe

A Thousand Ships

A Novel

Mythos

Stephen Fry's Greek Myths, Book 1

The Silence of the Girls

A Novel

Ariadne

A Novel

The Odyssey

The Iliad

The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson, Book 1

D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths

The Penelopiad

The Women of Troy

A Novel

Lore

The Greek Myths

Fifteen Dogs

Sources

What To Read Next

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