Fabulous

Lucy Hughes-Hallett reimagines classic fables and myths by setting them in modern times and locations. The collection features stories of gods, beasts, and humans transplanted into contemporary Britain and beyond. Each tale maintains core elements of its mythological source material while incorporating present-day concerns, politics, and social dynamics. The characters inhabit a world of council estates, corporate offices, refugee camps, and suburban homes. The narratives range from a few pages to novella length, featuring both magical and mundane elements side by side. Familiar figures from mythology and folklore take on new roles as politicians, celebrities, activists, and ordinary citizens. The book explores enduring themes of transformation, power, and morality by placing ancient archetypes in collision with modern society. Through these retellings, Hughes-Hallett examines how timeless stories maintain their relevance across centuries and cultures.

Readers appreciate Hughes-Hallett's fresh take on retelling classical myths in modern settings. Many note the clever parallels between ancient and contemporary stories, with one reviewer calling it "a kaleidoscopic view of how myths echo through time." Readers highlight the diverse range of stories and writing styles. Reviews frequently mention the book's accessibility despite its scholarly foundations. Multiple readers point to the Orpheus and Tristan chapters as standouts. Common criticisms include the uneven quality between chapters and occasional dense academic passages. Some readers found the modern retellings forced or too loosely connected to their mythological sources. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (298 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (127 ratings) Amazon US: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) "The contemporary versions breathe new life into familiar tales" - The Guardian reader review "Too academic at times, though the modern stories save it" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 Lucy Hughes-Hallett won the Samuel Johnson Prize for her previous book "The Pike," a biography of Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio 🌟 "Fabulous" reimagines ancient myths and folk tales in modern settings, including placing Actaeon in a celebrity-obsessed culture and King Midas in a world of hedge fund managers 🌟 The book features 11 interconnected stories that blur the lines between mythology and contemporary life, each exploring themes of transformation and desire 🌟 The author spent over 20 years as a literary critic and reviewer for publications like The Sunday Times before focusing on writing books 🌟 Several stories in "Fabulous" were inspired by Ovid's "Metamorphoses," but Hughes-Hallett gives them feminist twists and modern political relevance