Greek Myths
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  • Published: 1 November 2022
  • ISBN: 9781529111118
  • Imprint: Vintage
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $22.99
Categories:

Greek Myths

A New Retelling, with drawings by Chris Ofili

Formats & editions
Paperback
1 Nov 2022
EBook
9 Sep 2021
Audiobook
9 Sep 2021
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A major new retelling of the Greek myths for a new generation, with original drawings by world-renowned artist Chris Ofili.

In this spellbinding new collection, Charlotte Higgins reinterprets some of Greek mythology's most enduring stories.

'A great storyteller' Madeline Miller, author of Circe

Here are the myths of Heracles and Theseus, the Trojan war, Thebes and Argos and Athens. They are stories of love and desire, adventure and magic, destructive gods, helpless humans, fantastical creatures and resourceful witches.

In this telling the female characters take centre stage as Athena, Helen, Circe, Penelope and others weave these stories into elaborate imagined tapestries. In Charlotte Higgins's thrilling new interpretation of these ancient stories, their tales combine to form a dazzling, sweeping epic of storytelling.

With a series of original drawings by Chris Ofili.
  • Published: 1 November 2022
  • ISBN: 9781529111118
  • Imprint: Vintage
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $22.99
Categories:

About the author

Charlotte Higgins

Charlotte Higgins's previous books include the acclaimed Under Another Sky: Journeys in Roman Britain, which was shortlisted for awards including the Samuel Johnson (now Baillie Gifford) Prize for non-fiction. She is chief culture writer of the Guardian, a past winner of the Classical Association prize, and a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. She lives in London.

Also by Charlotte Higgins

Red Thread
Under Another Sky
See all

Praise for Greek Myths

Charlotte Higgins captures the raw, magical originality of the Greek myths in this beguiling book, charmingly illustrated by Chris Ofili... She knows her classics - and her myths - inside out.

Harry Mount, Catholic Herald

We are in the hands of a fine, fluent storyteller... Higgins, like the bards who first unspooled these tales, creates the illusion of spontaneity and handles suspense brilliantly... Chris Ofili's drawings complement the lyricism of the prose descriptions. Higgins depicts art mediating life - the reason, I think, that we read books... I loved this book.

Sara Wheeler, Spectator

[A] scholarly, capacious reimagining... Higgins makes you feel for these tormented, accursed mortals afresh.

Claire Allfree, The Times

A gritty and exhilarating new version of the ancient stories in which the female characters take centre stage.

Katy Guest, Guardian

Higgins invests the tales with surprising new meanings... The command of Higgins herself, as the master weaver of myths, emerges forcefully....Ancient myths here acquire compelling modern form.

Booklist, Starred Review

[Higgins] leads us through the labyrinth of interconnected stories in a startlingly fresh way. It throws radiant new light on their meanings... This excellent book should delight many generations of story lovers to come.

Edith Hall, Guardian

The feminism is subtle but persistent... This isn't about imposing modern values on ancient texts... her compendium deftly tracks the format of Ovid's Metamorphoses, one tale blurring into the next. But even readers who think they know their classics will discover some surprises.

Rachel Cunliffe, New Statesman

Higgins is a wonderful scholar, and a great story teller. I've been loving these retellings, cleverly centered around the theme of myths told in tapestry.

Madeline Miller, author of THE SONG OF ACHILLES and CIRCE

[An] erudite and exhilarating collection... luminous, astute retellings.

Hephzibah Anderson, Observer

A beautifully designed book, with Chris Ofili's accompanying drawings giving it an extra sparkle.

Susan Swarbrick and Teddy Jamieson, Herald, *Christmas Gift Guide 2021*

Exceptionally well researched... The prose is almost neoclassical, in being limpid and allusive, clear and nebulous at one and the same time.

Stuart Kelly, The Scotsman, Books of the Year

Greek Myths is a gripping collection of stories... The addition of illustrations, done by Chris Ofili, add to the elegance of the book... I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Greek mythology.

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