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| Venus de Milo in the Louvre. Source: Unsplash. |
"This is the most replicated of all Aphrodite-Venuses around the globe. And yet the goddess is not a ferocious, charmed result of a cosmic amputation, she is an amputee."
- Venus and Aphrodite: A Biography of Desire by Bettany Hughes.
Sometimes the initial image in our heads doesn't convey the full story of what truly is or could be. This is why one of my favorite genres is modern retellings of Greek and Roman myths that explore perspectives that aren't always discussed when we read Homer's Illiad in high school English class. In a way, it brings me into a more ancient world but also back to my time in the History Department's study rooms such as Clio's Corner, aptly named after the Muse of History, when I was getting my degree. Here are a few of my top recommendations:
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood.
Originally published in 2005, this was my introductory book to myth retellings, in which Atwood retells the Odyssey from the point of view of Penelope, Odysseus's wife. Margaret expresses the idea that in Western media and literature, we tend to highlight the perspective of the hero's journey, the figure that sets out on a radical adventure facing unknown obstacles, whereas The Penelopiad is the story of those who stay behind. Ten years is a long time to hold an entire kingdom together without truly knowing if your partner is dead or alive. Interlaced with poetry honoring the original epic poem, this pick is more erudite and thought-provoking.
Circe by Madeline Miller.
I'm confident that any avid reader has spotted Circe on a must-read list, and I'd certainly have to agree. Approachable yet stunning, the character Circe feels deeply relatable from her jealousy to her complex experiences with motherhood, despite the divine consequences that come from it. Miller brings the island of Aeaea to life with prowling lionesses, wayward nymphs, and abundant descriptions of Circe honing her witchcraft. I have read the book, but also highly recommend the audio version narrated by Perdita Weeks whose voice-acting brings yet another immersive layer to the story.
The Wolf Den Trilogy by Elodie Harper.
Rather than a mythic reimagining, this is a historical fiction following Amara, a young Greek woman who has been sold into slavery at a brothel in Pompeii. Over the course of three books, the social complexities and daily life of ancient Rome are on display and ultimately culminates in hierarchical upheaval with the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Harper explores the inner worlds and perspectives of young women forced to make difficult decisions to ensure their own survival within a society that deemed them property or tools rather than individuals. This series feels tragically intimate, as if you are reading the diary of a woman from Roman times.
Elektra by Jennifer Saint.
I adore all of Jennifer Saint's work, but have a particular soft spot for this one. I read Elektra while studying abroad in Greece where I visited the Mycenae Archaeological Site, famed for its Lion Gate, that was the setting for much of Saint's book. Split amongst three perspectives, Elektra details the narratives of Queen Clytemnestra, her daughter Elektra, and the cursed prophetess Cassandra who were all impacted by King Agamemnon's desire for glory in the Trojan War. Discussing themes of cyclical vengeance and familial traumas, it is a dramatic story but also makes for a great beach read. More-so if that beach is on the island of Naxos in the summertime.
Venus and Aphrodite: A Biography of Desire by Bettany Hughes.
As mentioned, I studied History at university so I, of course, must include one book that is a more academic variety. This is an incredibly digestible cultural history of the Goddess of Desire for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of her origins, complexities, and ancient interpretations. Venus-Aphrodite is an enduring figure that is continually an inspiration from Botticelli's Birth of Venus in the 15th century to Lady Gaga's 2013 album Artpop. Hughes explores Venus-Aphrodite's early iterations as a warrior-queen Inanna-Ishtar in ancient Mesopotamia, how she became a political state-building figure in Rome, and even served as the patron goddess of Pompeii. I have also recently read Jennifer Saint's newest novel, This Immortal Heart, about the goddess Aphrodite, and she cites Hughes's work as one of the major sources!
xo Rainey