Let’s Talk about myths, baby! We begin our discussion by reflecting on the unseasonably mild winter weather in Canada and how it has left us feeling disoriented about the changing of seasons. Despite our uncertainty, we decided to move forward with the topic at hand – the recent surge in popularity of mythology retellings, especially those inspired by Greek and Roman myths.
We note that while such retellings have existed for centuries, there has been a massive resurgence of these stories in the past 5-6 years. We point to Madeline Miller’s acclaimed novel Circe as one of the catalysts that reignited interest in this genre. However, the real driving force behind the hype seems to be the plethora of romantic retellings centered around the Hades and Persephone myth. Authors like Scarlett St. Clair, Katee Robert, and others have found immense success in reimagining this story through a spicier, fantasy romance lens with Hades often portrayed as the ultimate “shadow daddy.”
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A New Take On Old Tales
As we delve deeper, we recognize the mixed feelings surrounding these Hades and Persephone tales. On one hand, we understand the appeal of this darker, sexier take that departs from the original myth where Persephone was essentially a prisoner of Hades. However, we hope readers approach these works with the knowledge that the source material has problematic roots – frequent instances of rape, abuse, and the subjugation of women. Our desire is that these new romantic retellings don’t perpetuate such toxic tropes into the modern era.
Conversely, we appreciate how many recent mythology retellings are reclaiming these ancient stories and giving voices to traditionally silenced female characters. Authors like Margaret Atwood, Pat Barker, and others have created compelling narratives from the perspectives of Penelope (the wife of Odysseus), the women of Troy, and other women who were largely plot devices in the original myths. We find it refreshing to see these new nuanced portrayals that explore the struggles and depths of these women in ways the ancient texts did not.
Even traditionally vilified figures like Medusa are getting a chance to be viewed through a different lens, much like how modern retellings provide more nuanced perspectives on devils and demons. Just as the devil is often reframed as a morally gray anti-hero, we celebrate the opportunity to see women like Medusa as complex protagonists rather than one-dimensional evil figures.
As we discuss the possible reasons behind this mythology renaissance, we acknowledge that ancient myths were always meant to entertain and captivate audiences. The core stories have proven their lasting value by continuing to inspire new works over a thousand years later. Writers today are simply tapping into the familiarity of these tales while putting their own creative spins on them.
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The Power of Social Media
We also credit social media and the online book community as a driving force, making literature itself feel more vibrant and accessible than it did a decade ago. From “BookTok” to aesthetic bookstagram photos, reading has taken on an exciting new fandom. Limited edition books with artistic covers have made collecting a hobby akin to shoes or bags. If this circles back to supporting authors, we don’t lament the silliness of this bookish aesthetic.
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In the end, we celebrate this mythology resurgence as it not only provides enthralling new reads but also reclaims perspectives that were suppressed for centuries. The original myths have proven their eternal ability to inspire retellings across generations. We welcome our readers to share their own thoughts on this trend – whether they find it refreshing, distasteful, or anywhere in between. For now, we revel in this renaissance of timeless stories being reconstructed through modern lenses.
Enjoying this episode? Be sure to check out all of our coverage of the genre over at https://fully-booked.ca/. We’re a listener-supported podcast! Please consider pledging and helping Fully Booked to grow our library over at https://ko-fi.com/fullybooked, or by leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you’re listening. Thanks, bookworms, and don’t forget to keep on reading.
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