Public Domain Books about Myths
Novels for Teaching Mythology
Classical & World Mythology (Public Domain)
1. Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome — E. M. Berens
An accessible narrative of Greek and Roman myths (gods, heroes, monsters).
📖 Link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22381 (Project Gutenberg)
2. The Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga Saga) — Old Norse legend
Epic saga about Sigurd (Siegfried), dragon-slaying, and cursed treasure.
📖 Link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1152 (Project Gutenberg)
3. Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles — Padraic Colum
A retelling of the Argonauts’ quest narrative (PD text available via Gutenberg catalogs; not all formats are on the main catalog).
📖 Search this on Gutenberg (public domain): https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/subject/4193?sort_order=title (Project Gutenberg)
(Scroll to “Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles” in that list and open the item.)
4. Heroes; Or, Greek Fairy Tales for My Children — Charles Kingsley
Mythic tales drawn from Greek tradition (story form).
📖 Searchable in the Gutenberg Greek mythology list: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/subject/4193?sort_order=title (Project Gutenberg)
5. Myths and Legends of All Nations — various authors/editor Logan Marshall
Collection of myth tales from many world cultures (not strictly novel form but rich narrative mythology).
📖 Link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20740 (Project Gutenberg)
Mesoamerican & World Mythology
6. Popol Vuh — Mayan creation and hero narrative
The mythic and heroic sagas of the Maya of Central America (here in public domain text hosted via Gutenberg mirrors).
📖 Plain text on Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56550.txt.utf-8 (Project Gutenberg)
🇨🇳 Chinese Mythology / Classic Text
7. Journey to the West (西遊記) — original Chinese (public domain)
This is the original Chinese text, which is in public domain (no English translation here).
📖 Link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23962 (Gutenberg Self-Publishing)
Note: There is no full public domain English translation of Journey to the West readily available online; this link is for the Chinese original.
Optional supplement (not strictly novel form but rich myth narratives)
If you want broader narrative mythology beyond single traditions:
8. Myths and Legends of China — E. T. C. Werner
Collection of Chinese myths and folklore.
📖 Search Project Gutenberg for “Myths and Legends of China” in mythology listings (subject code: Mythology / Legends). (Project Gutenberg)
How to use these in class
Goal
Best Text
Classical Greek & Roman narrative
Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome
Heroic sagas & Northern myth
Volsunga Saga
Quest narrative (Argonauts)
Golden Fleece and the Heroes…
Creation myths (Americas)
Popol Vuh
Global myth survey
Myths and Legends of All Nations
Chinese classic myth (original)
Journey to the West (Chinese)
1. Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome — E. M. Berens
An accessible narrative of Greek and Roman myths (gods, heroes, monsters).
📖 Link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22381 (Project Gutenberg)
2. The Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga Saga) — Old Norse legend
Epic saga about Sigurd (Siegfried), dragon-slaying, and cursed treasure.
📖 Link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1152 (Project Gutenberg)
3. Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles — Padraic Colum
A retelling of the Argonauts’ quest narrative (PD text available via Gutenberg catalogs; not all formats are on the main catalog).
📖 Search this on Gutenberg (public domain): https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/subject/4193?sort_order=title (Project Gutenberg)
(Scroll to “Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles” in that list and open the item.)
4. Heroes; Or, Greek Fairy Tales for My Children — Charles Kingsley
Mythic tales drawn from Greek tradition (story form).
📖 Searchable in the Gutenberg Greek mythology list: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/subject/4193?sort_order=title (Project Gutenberg)
5. Myths and Legends of All Nations — various authors/editor Logan Marshall
Collection of myth tales from many world cultures (not strictly novel form but rich narrative mythology).
📖 Link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20740 (Project Gutenberg)
Mesoamerican & World Mythology
6. Popol Vuh — Mayan creation and hero narrative
The mythic and heroic sagas of the Maya of Central America (here in public domain text hosted via Gutenberg mirrors).
📖 Plain text on Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56550.txt.utf-8 (Project Gutenberg)
🇨🇳 Chinese Mythology / Classic Text
7. Journey to the West (西遊記) — original Chinese (public domain)
This is the original Chinese text, which is in public domain (no English translation here).
📖 Link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23962 (Gutenberg Self-Publishing)
Note: There is no full public domain English translation of Journey to the West readily available online; this link is for the Chinese original.
Optional supplement (not strictly novel form but rich myth narratives)
If you want broader narrative mythology beyond single traditions:
8. Myths and Legends of China — E. T. C. Werner
Collection of Chinese myths and folklore.
📖 Search Project Gutenberg for “Myths and Legends of China” in mythology listings (subject code: Mythology / Legends). (Project Gutenberg)
How to use these in class
Goal
Best Text
Classical Greek & Roman narrative
Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome
Heroic sagas & Northern myth
Volsunga Saga
Quest narrative (Argonauts)
Golden Fleece and the Heroes…
Creation myths (Americas)
Popol Vuh
Global myth survey
Myths and Legends of All Nations
Chinese classic myth (original)
Journey to the West (Chinese)