5 Must-Read Mythological Retellings
There is something magical about stories that have fascinated civilisations we only remember as ‘ancient’; stories that remind us that despite the stretch of time that make our generations alien to each other, we are all at heart a species that lives and loves to tell stories.
Mythological retellings give us new windows into these age-old and age-told tales. If you’ve fallen in love with this genre too, or are simply looking for your next read, here is my list of top 5 mythological retellings.
1. The Song of Achilles
Author: Madeline Miller | Retelling of: Iliad
“Achilles’ eyes lift. They are bloodshot and dead. “I wish he had let you all die.”
This is the love story of Achilles and Patroclus. The prose is heart-wrenchingly beautiful and deeply evocative, but it is the raw honestly and passion between the characters that will stay with you long after the book is over.
2. Palace of Illusions
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni | Retelling of: Mahabharata
“Wait for a man to avenge your honour, and you’ll wait forever.”
This is the story of Draupadi, the woman credited with being the cause of Mahabharata. But who was she, beyond a dutiful wife and a wronged queen? This Draupadi is a nuanced and flawed woman, who will win your heart with her incredible human-ness.
3. Cuckold
Author: Kiran Nagarkar | Retelling of: Mirabai (ok so not a 100% myth)
“We were the rarest of couples. Even after years of marriage we were madly in love. I with her and she with somebody else.”
This story follows Maharaj Kumar, the heir apparent of Mewar and Meera’s husband. I found myself laughing, crying, feeling angry on behalf of him and as helpless as him. With palace intrigue, scheming step-mothers, forbidden relationships and wicked wars, this book is un-put-down-able.
4. Circe
Author: Madeline Miller | Retelling of: greek goddess/witch Circe’s myth
“I thought: I cannot bear this world a moment longer. Then, child, make another.”
A cruel childhood and powers that don’t make the gods too happy — Circe quickly learned that being exiled was the best thing that happened to her. A coming of age story in the backdrop of scheming gods and backstabbing characters, this book will grab you from the very beginning and keep you hooked till the last word.
5. Sitayana
Author: Amit Majmudar | Retelling of: Ramayana
“Sita, he screams, Sita, Sita, and in that scream is all the passion and love and despair with which I have been calling his name for years.”
I’m not a fan of Ramayana. In fact, another retelling of Ramayana from Sita’s perspective — Forest of Enchantments (by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni) left me deeply disappointed. But Sitayana is a fresh take on the myth told from multiple rich perspectives, rife with modern imagery that doesn’t take away the epic-ness of the story and most importantly— a Sita who you’ll love for her strength rather than her forbearance.
