World Book Day: 5 contemporary Greek books you should know about

·

By John Voutos

  1. Silence of the Girls (2018) by Pat Barker:

Pat Barker gives a new voice to the forgotten women of Homer’s Iliad (c. 762 B.C.) in this feminist retelling of the story of Briseis, or Ἱπποδάμεια. Briseis was a princess enslaved and sold to Achilles in the lead-up to the fall of Troy in the Trojan War. Silence of the Girls paints the stark reality that 11th-century carnage brought most women. Pat Barker is the English Booker Prize-winning author behind such works as The Ghost Road (1995). Silence of the Girls was shortlisted for the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Courtesy of Penguin Random House.
  • Ariadne (2021) by Jennifer Saint:

Jennifer Saint’s decorative Ariadne retells the story of the Princess of Crete, Ariadne, and sister Phaedra, daughters of King Minos, in the story of the Minotaur. Ariadne is 304 pages of sisterhood, secret, and tragedy – in ancient Greek style – in Saint’s fresh debut to our bookshops. Saint gives a renewed perspective on the sacrifice Ariadne made to help Theseus, Prince of Athens, slay the Minotaur; and whether it was all worth it. Similar to Pat Barker’s Silence of the Girls (2018)and Madeline Miller’s Circe (2018), Saint’s Ariadne is another great addition to the historical fiction genre.

Courtesy of goodreads.com
  • Troy: The Siege of Troy Retold (2020) by Stephen Fry:

Stephen Fry’s Troy (2020) revisits the story of Troy, including the kidnapping of Helen of Troy, in the third instalment to his ancient Greek collection. Following the success of Mythos (2017)and Heroes (2017), Britain’s favourite game-show host brings the battle of Troy to life in this story of hatred, love and loss, revenge and regret, desire and despair. 

Courtesy of penguin.com.au
  • Lucky’s (2020) by Andrew Pippos:

Andrew Pippos finds his own Greek father in Vasilis ‘Lucky’ Mallios, the restaurant chain owner explored in his debut novel Lucky’s (2020). Pippos grew up in Sydney as the son of café owners himself and now works as a lecturer at the University of Technology, Sydney. Lucky’s follows a familiar Greek-Australian experience with family, migration, and tribulation at its core. Lucky’s launched to critical acclaim, including being shortlisted for the MUD Literary Prize 2021 and being shortlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year 2021. We’re keeping an eye out for Pippos’ new non-fiction project.

Courtesy of Pan Macmillan AU
  • Wild Colonial Greeks (2020) by Peter Prineas:

Peter Prineas’ Wild Colonial Greeks (2020) explores the history of Greek Australians in colonial-era Australia in the early-1900s. It shows how Greeks were viewed by the mainstream press and chronicles their journey in a foreign land. Wild Colonial Greeks includes the stories of Spiridion Candiottis, a goldfields doctor, and Andreas Lagogiannis,a hotelier. This book takes a magnifying glass to the early beginnings of the Greek-Australian diaspora.

Courtesy of the Australian Scholary Publishing (ASP) website.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greek film festival turns 30 with a Stellar Line-Up of Award-Winning films

The Greek Film Festival is celebrating a major anniversary this year - 30 years of bringing Greek stories to Australian screens.

Summer School for Greek Language teachers in Australia

For the first time in Australia, a specialized online summer school will be held for teachers of the Greek language in the diaspora.

Children’s week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Children’s Week the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools are taking part in the celebrations organised by the Victorian Government

Get Online Week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Get Online Week 2025, the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria will proudly join Good Things Foundation’s national campaign.

St Benedict School in Mt Torrens rejects screens, embraces ancient Greek philosophy

Established in early 2024 by members of the Catholic Church of the Holy Name, St Benedict has grown to around 50 students.

You May Also Like

Primary School Principal Dina Zunis receives prestigious SA Public Education Award

North Ingle school principal, Dina Zunis (nee Stavrou) has received a prestigious honour at the South Australian Public Education Awards.

FFA Cup: Sydney Olympic to welcome Sydney FC to Belmore on November 24

November 24 is the date Sydney Olympic FC will welcome fans back to Belmore Sports Ground for a huge fixture against Sydney FC.

Darwin GleNTi serves up culture, community and kilos of Greek cuisine

The aroma of grilled meats and the sound of Greek music filled the air as thousands packed Darwin’s Esplanade for the beloved GleNTi Festival