book cover of Herc
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Herc

(2023)
A novel by

 
 
Awards
2024 Somerset Maugham Award

A queer revisionist retelling of the story of Hercules, for fans of The Song of Achilles, A Thousand Ships and Ariadne.

This should be the story of Hercules: his twelve labours, his endless adventures… everyone’s favorite hero, right?

Well, it’s not.

This is the story of everyone else:
  • Alcmene: Herc’s mother (She has knives everywhere)

    Hylas: Herc���s first friend (They were more than friends)

    Megara: Herc’s wife (She’ll tell you about their marriage)

    Eurystheus: Oversaw Herc’s labours (He never asked for the job)

    His friends, his enemies, his wives, his children, his lovers, his rivals, his gods, his victims

    It’s time to hear their stories.

    Told with humour and heart, 
    Herc gives voice to the silenced characters, in this feminist, queer (and sometimes shocking) retelling of classic Hercules myth.


    Genre: Fantasy

Praise for this book

"A captivating retelling with a very definite, personal voice, and a sharp, fresh perspective on the lives surrounding the hero rather than from the perspective of the hero himself." - Genevieve Cogman

"Funny, action-packed, violent, tragic... this is the story of Hercules as you've never experienced it before! An eye-opening treat." - A J Elwood

"A rollicking ride through Greek mythology, Herc tells the story of the famous hero through his impact on the people around him. By turns quippy, hilarious, and shocking, Herc will make you want to hide in a jar like King Eurystheus, dodging all your responsibilities to read it from cover to cover." - Luna McNamara

"A brilliant, witty and unique retelling of the myths that at times had me laughing out loud. Rogerson's impressive talent leaps from the pages." - Carly Reagon

"Alternately hilarious and shocking, this is an astonishingly vivid retelling of the story of Hercules, and these are not the Greek myths I learned in school." - Jodi Taylor

"Hercules had his story, now it's time for everyone else to get their say. Wickedly fun and devilishly dark - the tell-all for our times." - Cari Thomas


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