RETELLING OF MALE DOMINATED STORIES FROM THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE
The untold stories of women from mythology and history. There are so many books that give voices to these lost females and here is a list. I will add to it when I find more. The first books on this post include stories of the women in Greek Mythology, mortals and goddesses both. The second set of books are a medley of different women, fictional and historical. For example, Eve, Tiger Lily, the fictional wife of Jesus, Cleopatra, King Arthur’s Queen, and more. I have not read all of these books so I cannot say whether they are all worth it. But I can say that Circe, A Thousand Ships, Cassandra Speaks, and The Book of Longings are very much worth it. The others were recommended to me in the comments on social media!
GREEK MYTHOLOGY
CIRCE
BY MADELINE MILLER
The story of the goddess Circe. She was exiled to an island when Zeus found out she was a witch (he was afraid of her). Circe only appears as a character in the stories of the men she interacted with, but now we finally get her story from her point of view! Including her relationships with Daedalus and Odysseus, her involvement in the monsters Scylla and the Minotaur, and her habit of turning men into pigs. We love her.
Goodreads rating: 4.26/5
A THOUSAND SHIPS
BY NATALIE HAYNES
A retelling of the Trojan War through the eyes of the women and goddesses who experienced it. We get perspectives of the Trojan women, Greek women, queens who have normally been only footnotes, and the goddesses who are responsible for the war.
Goodreads rating: 4.17/5
CASSANDRA SPEAKS
BY ELIZABETH LESSER
Famous women’s stories finally told from their perspective. Eve in the Garden of Eden, Pandora and the box, Cassandra who was given the gift of prophecy and the curse that no one would believe her.
“Part One explores how history is carried forward through the stories a culture tells and values, and what we can do to balance the scales. Part Two looks at women and power and expands what it means to be courageous, daring, and strong. And Part Three offers “A Toolbox for Inner Strength.” Lesser argues that change in the culture starts with inner change, and that no one—woman or man—is immune to the corrupting influence of power.”
Goodreads rating: 4.30/5
THE SILENCE OF THE GIRLS
BY PAT BARKER
A retelling of the Trojan War primarily from the perspective of Briseis, a captured slave for Achilles. “Briseis is just one among thousands of women living behind the scenes in this war–all of them erased by history.”
Goodreads rating: 3.92/5
SILENT ECHO
BY ELISA FREILICH
A story inspired by Greek Mythology, specifically Homer’s Odyssey, this is the story of Portia, a Siren who is mute for the first 16 years of her life. When she discovers her voice she also discovers how powerful it is in controlling those around her.
Goodreads rating: 3.61/5
A SONG OF WAR
BY KATE QUINN
A retelling of the Trojan War told by the Fates, slaves, queens, heroes, cowards, seers, and kings. Not primarily female POV but partially.
Goodreads rating: 4.19/5
HELEN OF SPARTA
BY AMALIA CAROSELLA
Helen is haunted by dreams of the war to come and knows she is the start of it. Determined to not let that happen, she runs away and into the arms of Theseus, son of Poseidon, for protection. But escaping her destiny isn’t going to be that easy as the gods are against her.
Goodreads rating: 3.60/5
CHILDREN OF JOCASTA
BY NATALIA HAYNES
The story of Jocasta, The Queen of Thebes, and the mother (and one day wife) and Oedipus. “Natalie Haynes takes a fresh perspective on an ancient story, reimagining how the Oedipus and Antigone stories would look if the oft-overlooked female characters took center stage.”
Goodreads rating: 3.90/5
CASSANDRA: A NOVEL AND FOUR ESSAYS
BY CHRISTA WOLF
Retelling of the fall of Troy through Cassandra. Cassandra, the priestess of Apollo who was given the gift of prophecy and the curse that no one would believe her.
Goodreads rating: 3.93/5
THE PENELOPIAD
BY MARGARET ATWOOD
Penelope is the wife of Odysseus and cousin of Helen of Troy. She is left alone for 20 years as Odysseus fights in the Trojan War and takes 1o more years to get home for various reasons (two of them being affairs with witches). “Atwoods retelling becomes as wise and compassionate as it is haunting, and as wildly entertaining as it is disturbing.”
Goodreads rating: 3.71/5
TILL WE HAVE FACES
BY C.S. LEWIS
Retelling of the classic myth of Cupid and Psyche. “This is the story of Orual, Psyche’s embittered and ugly sister, who possessively and harmfully loves Psyche. Psyche is loved by Cupid, the god of love himself, setting the troubled Orual on a path of moral development.” The author is obviously not a woman, but the story is from a female pov.
Goodreads rating: 4.15/5
APHRODITE MADE ME DO IT
BY TRISTA MATEER
Combo of poetry and prose. “In the empowering retelling, she uses the mythology of the goddess to weave a common thread through the past and present.”
Goodreads rating: 4.02/5
MEDEA
BY CHRISTA WOLF
The story of Medea, the women who sacrifices her own children to her jealous rage, from her perspective.
Goodreads rating: 3.91/5
SET IN STONE: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF MEDUSA
BY R.C. BERRY
Medusa’s own story — how she came to be a sea monster whose gaze turns one to stone.
Goodreads rating: 4.38/5
FICTIONAL STORIES
TIGER LILY
BY JODI LYNN ANDERSON
The story of 15 year old Tiger Lily and her adventures and love with Peter Pan.
Goodreads rating: 3.96/5
A THOUSAND ACRES
BY JANE SMILEY
A modernized retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear. Set on a farm in Iowa and told by the farmer’s oldest daughter Ginny.
Goodreads rating: 3.80/5
WIDE SARGASSO SEA
BY JEAN RHYS
“Brings to light one of fiction’s most fascinating characters: the madwoman in the attic from Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre.” Antoinette Cosway, a young woman sold into marriage to Mr. Rochester and driven out of her mind.
Goodreads rating: 3.60/5
THE FORESTWIFE TRILOGY
BY THERESA TOMLINSON
A retelling of Robin Hood from Marian’s point of view.
Goodreads rating: 4.25/5
BIBLICAL STORIES
THE BOOK OF LONGINGS
BY SUE MONK KIDD
“I am Ana. I was the wife of Jesus.” The imagined story of the wife of Jesus. “Grounded in meticulous historical research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus’s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring account of one woman’s bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place, and culture devised to silence her.”
Goodreads rating: 4.25/5
THE RED TENT
BY ANITA DIAMANT
“Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis. Told in her voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood–the world of the red tent.”
Goodreads rating: 4.18/5
SONG OF MAGDALENE
BY DONNA JO NAPOLI
The story of teenager Mary Magdalene.
Goodreads rating: 3.83/5
HISTORICAL FIGURES
MISTS OF AVALON
BY MARION ZIMMER BRADLEY
Retelling of the legend of King Arthur through the eyes of women: Morgan le Fay-a powerful enchantress and King Arthur’s protector, and Guinevere, the wife and queen of King Arthur. Unfortunately this author (now deceased) abused her children in horrific ways. I have been told to buy this book used, as to not give more money to her, BUT I have also been told all proceeds go to her children and various abuse charities. I tried to find the answer but it is unclear so you can figure that out yourselves.
Goodreads rating: 4.11/5
THE PALACE OF ILLUSIONS
BY CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI
A female POV retelling of the ancient Indian epic, Mahabharata. This epic narrates the struggle between two cousin families in the Kurukshetra War. Divakaruni’s retelling is narrated by Panchaali, the wife of the legendary Pandavas brothers who have been cheated out of their father’s kingdom. Panchaali works to help these main regain their birthright while also engaging in secret with her husbands’ worst enemy.
Goodreads rating: 4.18/5
THE WORLD’S WIFE
BY CAROL ANN DUFFY
A collection of poetry “focused on well known female figures or fictional counterparts to well known male figures.” Medusa, Mrs. Midas, Queen Kong, Frau Freud, the Devil’s wife, etc.
Goodreads rating: 4.17/5
WAKE, SIREN: OVID RESUNG
BY NINA MACLAUGHLIN
“In fierce, textured voices, the women of Ovid’s Metamorphoses claim their stories and challenge the power of myth.” Seductresses, monsters, nymphs, goddesses.
Goodreads rating: 3.83/5
OPHELIA
BY LISA M. KLEIN
The story of Hamlet reimagined from Ophelia’s perspective.
Goodreads rating: 3.72/5
THE LOST QUEEN
BY SIGNE PIKE
A trilogy. “The untold story of Languoreth, a forgotten queen of sixth-century Scotland, and twin sister of the man who inspired the legend of Merlin.
Goodreads rating: 4.17/5
THE HIGHLAND WITCH
BY SUSAN FLETCHER
Corrag, accused witch, is imprisoned for her supposed involvement in the Scottish highlands.
Goodreads rating: 4.17/5
THE MEMOIRS OF CLEOPATRA
BY MARGARET GEORGE
Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. Told in her own voice, her story begins when she seeks out Julius Caesar and falls in love with Marc Antony.
Goodreads rating: 4.16/5
CLEOPATRA’S DAUGHTER SERIES
BY STEPHANIE DRAY
- Lily of the Nile, 2. Song of the Nile, 3. Daughters of the Nile. After her mother’s death, Princess Selene is trapped in the Roman Empire where they hate her heritage and struggles for survival.
Goodreads rating: 3.89/5
NEFERTITI
BY MICHELLE MORAN
Nefertiti, Queen of the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. She is married to the unstable Pharaoh Amunhotep and she is beloved by her people, but priests and military are trying to overthrow her husband’s rule. Her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, sees this happening because she is wise and goes to the queen for help.
Goodreads rating: 4.16/5
THE HERETIC QUEEN
BY MICHELLE MORAN
Nefertari, niece of the former Queen Nefertiti, is caught in a palace fire that kills the entire royal family except her. She is pushed aside by the people and left to live with a distant aunt. She is educated to become the future queen and she catches the eye of the Crown Prince. But Egypt opposes the union.
Goodreads rating: 4.19/5
THE DOVE KEEPER
BY ALICE HOFFMAN
Set in ancient Israel, when 900 Jews held out for months against the armies of Romans on Masada, a mountain in the Judean desert. The story of “four extraordinarily bold, resourceful, and sensuous women, each of whom has come to Masada by a different path.”
Goodreads rating: 4.05/5
THE KINGDOM OF BACK
BY MARIE LU
Nannerl Mozart dreams of being composer who is remembered forever. But as a woman, she is forbidden and her father tells her she will have to stop composing when she reaches marriage age. She watches as her young brother, Wolfgang Mozart, becomes even more brilliant. “His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true- but it may cost her everything.
Goodreads rating: 3.73/5
THE OTHER EINSTEIN
BY MARIE BENEDICT
The story of Einstein’s wife “who was lost in his shadow.” A brilliant physicist herself who contributed to the theory of relativity.
Goodreads rating: 3.79/5
Z: A NOVEL OF ZELDA FITZGERALD
BY THERESE ANNE FOWLER
The story of Zelda Fitzgerald, Jazz Age princess, from her point of view. A southern belle who fell in love with F. Scott Fitzgerald when she was seventeen, had his child, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and spent her last years in a mental hospital.
Goodreads rating: 3.85/5
THE PARIS WIFE
BY PAULA MCLAIN
The story of Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley Richardson.
Goodreads rating: 3.81/5
MRS. HEMINGWAY
BY NAOMI WOOD
A story of the four wives of Ernest Hemingway.
Goodreads rating: 3.83/5
A WELL-BEHAVED WOMAN: A NOVEL OF THE VANDERBILTS
BY THERESE ANNE FOWLER
The story of Alva Vanderbilt, a New York socialite who married into the socially scorned Vanderbilt family. Alva was a major figure in the women’s suffrage movement and she was the founder of the Metropolitan Opera.
Goodreads rating: 3.93/5
LILAC GIRLS
BY MARTHA HALL KELLT
Story of three women, New York socialite Caroline Ferriday, Polish teen Kasia Kuzmerick, and German doctor Herta Oberheuser. Set at during World War II, “the lives of these three women are set on a collision course when Kasia is sent to a Nazi concentration camp.”
Goodreads rating: 4.27/5
BOOK OF AGES: THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF JANE FRANKLIN
BY JILL LEPORE
Jane Franklin, the sister of Benjamin Franklin. She was unknown to the outside world but had a big influence on her brother’s life.
Goodreads rating: 3.66/5
MY DEAR HAMILTON
BY STEPHANIE DRAY
Eliza Schuyler Hamilton’s story. Pulled from thousands of Eliza’s letters. “A general’s daughter, a founding father’s wife, and the last surviving light of the revolution.”
Goodreads rating: 4.27/5
THE AVIATOR’S WIFE
BY MELANIE BENJAMIN
Charles Lindbergh, famous for being the first pilot to fly non-stop from New York to Paris. This is the story of Anne Morrow, the smart writer who marries Charles. She doesn’t like being known as just the aviator’s wife and desires independence.
Goodreads rating: 3.90/5
I, TITUBA, BLACK WITCH OF SALEM
BY MARYSE CONDE
Tituba, the first accused witch in Salem. Her own mother was hanged for retaliating when her owner raped her. She was raised by Mama Yaya, a woman with healing gifts. “Though protected by the spirits, Tituba could not escape the lies and accusations of that hysterical time.”
Goodreads rating: 4.01/5
THE THREE MOTHERS
BY ANNA MALAKIA TUBBS
How the Mother’s of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation.
Goodreads rating: 4.43/5
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