Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: If you loved Clytemnestra, read Jennifer Saint's Elektra and Ariadne, Madeline Miller's Circe, Natalie Haynes's A Thousand Ships and Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls. All retell Greek myths from the viewpoint of the women involved.
Costanza Casati's 2023 debut gives Clytemnestra, queen of Mycenae, her own voice, from a Spartan childhood to her revenge on Agamemnon. It is vivid, violent and passionate. The books below offer similar feminist myth retellings, with powerful heroines and fresh takes on old stories.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elektra | Jennifer Saint | Adult | the same family |
| Atalanta | Jennifer Saint | Adult | huntress heroine |
| Ariadne | Jennifer Saint | Adult | Minotaur retold |
| Circe | Madeline Miller | Adult | witch of the Odyssey |
| The Song of Achilles | Madeline Miller | Adult | Trojan War |
| A Thousand Ships | Natalie Haynes | Adult | women of Troy |
| The Silence of the Girls | Pat Barker | Adult | the Iliad's captives |
| The Women of Troy | Pat Barker | Adult | the aftermath |
| Ithaca | Claire North | Adult | Penelope's court |
| The Penelopiad | Margaret Atwood | Adult | wit and rage |
| Daughters of Sparta | Claire Heywood | Adult | Helen and Clytemnestra |
| Stone Blind | Natalie Haynes | Adult | Medusa's story |
| Medusa | Jessie Burton | Adult | short retelling |
| The Oresteia | Aeschylus | Adult | the source |
| Lavinia | Ursula K. Le Guin | Adult | Roman epic |
1. Elektra by Jennifer Saint
Three women tell the story of the House of Atreus. A natural companion to Clytemnestra.
Best for: the same family.
2. Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
The huntress Atalanta in a world of heroes. Fast, feminist and fierce.
Best for: huntress heroine.
3. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Ariadne's story of love, betrayal and her sister Phaedra. Emotional and well paced.
Best for: Minotaur retold.
4. Circe by Madeline Miller
The goddess Circe tells her story. Lush and thoughtful.
Best for: witch of the Odyssey.
5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Patroclus tells the story of his love for Achilles. Lyrical and heartbreaking.
Best for: Trojan War.
6. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
The women of the Trojan War tell their own stories. Witty and sharp.
Best for: women of Troy.
7. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
The Trojan War told through Briseis. Harsh and powerful.
Best for: the Iliad's captives.
8. The Women of Troy by Pat Barker
The sequel follows the women after the fall of Troy. Bleak and gripping.
Best for: the aftermath.
9. Ithaca by Claire North
Penelope's story while Odysseus is away. Elegant and slow.
Best for: Penelope's court.
10. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
Penelope tells the Odyssey from the underworld. Short and sharp.
Best for: wit and rage.
11. Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood
The sisters of Sparta in a world of war. Direct and compelling.
Best for: Helen and Clytemnestra.
12. Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
The Gorgon Medusa tells her version. Sharp and moving.
Best for: Medusa's story.
13. Medusa by Jessie Burton
The Gorgon Medusa as a young woman. Short and lyrical.
Best for: short retelling.
14. The Oresteia by Aeschylus
The ancient trilogy that tells of Agamemnon, Clytemnestra and Orestes. Powerful and dark.
Best for: the source.
15. Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin
A princess in Virgil's Aeneid tells her story. Calm and beautiful.
Best for: Roman epic.
How to Choose
For the same family read Elektra, then The Oresteia for the original. For fierce heroines choose Atalanta or Daughters of Sparta. For Trojan War stories pick A Thousand Ships, The Silence of the Girls or The Song of Achilles. For short retellings try The Penelopiad or Medusa. Clytemnestra is violent and graphic, so check content notes if you prefer gentler retellings. The Oresteia is short enough to read in an evening in a modern translation, and it gives a different dimension to Casati's novel. Readers new to myth retellings may prefer to begin with Circe or The Song of Achilles, which are more lyrical, then move to the harsher Clytemnestra. Readers who love the family drama will want Elektra and The Oresteia. Readers who want a lighter read could try The Penelopiad or Medusa. Many of these books also have strong audiobook editions. If you like the dark, political side of the story, also look for historical novels about queens, such as books on Cleopatra or Boudicca, which treat ambitious women with the same intensity.
Related: 15 Books Like Wings of Fire Kids Will Love: Dragons, Quests and Animal Adventures · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clytemnestra about?
The queen of Mycenae tells her story, from Spartan childhood to her revenge on her husband.
Who wrote it?
Costanza Casati.
When was it published?
2023.
Is it a retelling?
Yes, of the myth of Clytemnestra, Agamemnon and the House of Atreus.
Is it violent?
Yes, with graphic scenes.
Is it feminist?
It is often described as feminist, since it centres a woman usually seen as a villain.
Do I need to know the myths?
No, though some familiarity helps.
What should I read next?
Try Elektra or Circe.
Is Clytemnestra part of a series?
No, it is a standalone novel.
Is it for adults?
Yes, it includes violence and sexual content.
Is Clytemnestra a villain in the myth?
In the ancient stories she is often a villain, but modern retellings explore her reasons.
How long is the novel?
Around 400 pages in most editions.
Is Clytemnestra suitable for teens?
It is better for adults, since it includes graphic violence.
Is there a sequel?
Check current listings for any follow-up.