10 Reviews: Best Greek Mythology Books for Beginners (Apr 2024)

This is Stephen Fry’s collection of mythology titled “Troy.” This book retells the story of the rise and destruction of Troy from Homer’s “The Iliad,” but it does so with Fry’s typical humorous and engaging tone. Fry simplifies the complicated historical history of the Trojan War and the mythology of the Greek gods that are associated with it by providing a detailed retelling that is based on a large amount of research.

"Mr. Fry has cleared the deck of all extraneous materials and story lines. Excellent source for further explorations. Thank you!"

by P. Breckenridge

This book is a reconstruction of the Trojan War; however, the focus is on the roles that women performed in the conflict. The story is told from the perspective of Calliope, the Greek goddess of epic poetry and eloquence; she observes the events from her vantage point. This is a series of stories written by a variety of women. Each of the tales offers a fresh perspective on a well-known tale, and together they make up the book.

"This novel does a really good job of giving voices to the voiceless and amplifying the experiences of women who are typically dismissed. It’s a great book."

by Jessica Petersen

The Odyssey is a piece of ancient Greek poetry that relates the account of Odysseus’ ten-year journey back home after the Trojan War. This epic journey took Odysseus a decade to complete. This epic poem tells the account of Odysseus’ dangerous journey home to his wife and child, which includes fierce battles, the allure of the Sirens, and a detour into Hades. It has something to do with Greek mythology, specifically with the gods and goddesses meddling in human affairs.

"Very meaningful. Epic story. Epic translation."

by Hachidori

A companion to “The Odyssey,” “The Iliad” recounts the events that took place before Odysseus embarked on his journey home from the Trojan War in its own epic poem. “The Iliad” was written in the ninth century and narrates the account of the Trojan War. This timeless work explores the ten-year conflict that, according to Homer, was sparked when the prince of Troy eloped with a Spartan queen. The story is filled with raw emotion and bloody brutality.

"I have been a great fan since younger of the ILIAD By Homer. Couldn’t have picked a better time to read."

by G.G

Robert Graves’ “The Greek Myths” has been widely recognized as the classic literary reference guide to Greek mythology ever since it was first published in 1955. This collection is made into a stunning retelling of some of the most significant Greek tales thanks to Robert Graves’ lyrical prose, which shines through throughout. This compilation has been very thoughtfully prepared in order to guide readers through the complex histories of Greek myths.

"So detailed and informative! Even includes all the small roles that people either forget about or don’t even know about! Great for educational and recreational reading. A great resource for work."

by Abby Hazlett

Author and playwright Bernard Evslin became most well-known for his writings about Greek mythology, including the book “Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of the Greek Myths,”. This book is predicted to have sold more than 10 million copies. Evslin was a prolific writer whose works have been adapted into a number of films. In this book, Evslin breathes new life into the ancient myths by telling a series of stories. His goal was to captivate and excite readers while introducing them to the gods.

"Love this book, got it in a timely manner. This has been my favorite book on Greek mythology stories and fell in love with it when I was in high-school. I highly recommend this book!"

by MintyFoxu

Edith Hamilton’s “Mythology” is a well-known collection of Greek tales that has been a fan favorite ever since it was first published in 1942. It features stunning drawings and pictures along with straightforward explanations of each myth. Not only does this book retell the myths, but it also analyzes how the traditions have a permanent impact on society today, making it an excellent choice for readers who are either new to or experienced with Greek mythology.

"Has my favorites stories of all times, thank you so much ?"

by Carmen López

This reference book is an encyclopedia of Greek mythology, and it contains information on 700 different characters, both significant and insignificant, who feature in Greek mythology. Jim Tierney’s beautiful artwork and Annette Giesecke’s Ph.D. in Classical Studies bring to life the characters in the ancient Greek tales. Jim Tierney, a brilliant artist, has provided illustrations for Giesecke’s work.

"Great book and very informative! Not sure about the paperback version but the hardcover version is so BEAUTIFUL!! Gorgeous illustrations and charts. Couldnt be happier with it!"

by Karina Baptiste

The D’Aulaires’ orientation to Greek mythology is the ideal first read for young readers who wish to experience the allure of the gods and goddesses through straightforward narratives that are accompanied by illustrations. This book is a historical compilation of the ancient myths from the start of the Titans all the way through the Trojan War. It is a well-loved recounting of the Greek myths and it is arranged in that order.

"The art is beautiful. Love reading Greek mythology. I bought this for my little sister. I would definitely recommend this book."

by lucy

The bond between Achilles, a Greek warrior, and Patroclus, a youthful and awkward prince, is the subject of “The Song of Achilles,” a novel that is both mystical and emotional in nature. Patroclus is sent into exile by his father because of a misunderstanding, and it is at this time that he happens to meet Achilles by happenstance. The two men form a special connection, but it is quickly put to the test when the Trojan War begins.

"I cried on the phone with my boyfriend for 3 hours after finishing this book. If I could go back and read it for the first time I’d do it in a heartbeat, I love this so much."

by Mac