Circe
Author: Madeline Miller
Published by: Bloomsbury
Pages: 336
Format Hardback
My Rating ★★★★★
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft.
When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, vengeful Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia. There she learns to harness her occult craft, drawing strength from nature. But she will not always be alone; many are destined to pass through Circe’s place of exile, entwining their fates with hers. The messenger god, Hermes. The craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece. And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home.
There is danger for a solitary woman in this world, and Circe’s independence draws the wrath of men and gods alike. To protect what she holds dear, Circe must decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.
Breathing life into the ancient world, Madeline Miller weaves an intoxicating tale of gods and heroes, magic and monsters, survival and transformation.
My thoughts:
Firstly, I absolutely loved Circe. This novel was so captivating that I just could not put it down, and for me, it is a read that very much lived up to the hype surrounding its release. Ultimately, this is a story about Circe, an intriguing, complex and richly detailed character, who at first desperately seeks to find her place amongst the gods she is born in to. She really is a wonderfully complex and likeable protagonist who I immediately warmed to. The story is told entirely from her perspective and begins with her early struggles of trying to fit in. Lacking the beauty and charm of her mother, and the power of her father, she is quickly reviled and looked down upon by those around her. Through this, her independent spirit and strength grows, and she begins to question many of the choices her blood relatives make. This is particularly evident in the cruelty the gods often show mortals. After all, Circe is a fascinating character caught between the world of mortals and gods.
The thing that made the story so unique and incredibly interesting for me is because at its core, it offers intriguing insight into the voices of women within Greek mythology. The author presents a gripping portrayal of a woman seeking the power to ensure her place in this world of gods and terrifying monsters. Circe is an example of great intelligent storytelling. Beautifully written by Madeline Miller, the novel is a stunning retelling of original classic stories, told from the perspective of the notorious witch of Aiaia.
I also found the sheer timescale of the plot especially engaging. As Circe is born in to immortality, her life story spans over many centuries. Throughout her life, hundreds of generations are born and fall away around her. This further intensifies the feelings of isolation and loneliness surrounding Circe for much of her life alone on the island she is eventually exiled to.
Miller’s prose is dreamlike, and the passing of time feels so natural and perfectly paced. The length of Circe’s life so far also cleverly adds to the depth of her character and creates the sense that she has this incredible heightened understanding of the world around her. I loved so many elements of this novel. With its unique exploration of Greek mythology, the extraordinary complex heroine, and exciting mix of adventure, bloodshed, betrayal, love and evil, Circe truly does have something for everyone. I honestly can’t recommend this novel enough. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Circe is indeed a new favourite fiction for me, and I feel it will always have a special spot on my bookshelves for years to come.
Overall reaction:
Published by: Bloomsbury
Pages: 336
Format Hardback
My Rating ★★★★★
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft.
When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, vengeful Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia. There she learns to harness her occult craft, drawing strength from nature. But she will not always be alone; many are destined to pass through Circe’s place of exile, entwining their fates with hers. The messenger god, Hermes. The craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece. And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home.
There is danger for a solitary woman in this world, and Circe’s independence draws the wrath of men and gods alike. To protect what she holds dear, Circe must decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.
Breathing life into the ancient world, Madeline Miller weaves an intoxicating tale of gods and heroes, magic and monsters, survival and transformation.
My thoughts:
Firstly, I absolutely loved Circe. This novel was so captivating that I just could not put it down, and for me, it is a read that very much lived up to the hype surrounding its release. Ultimately, this is a story about Circe, an intriguing, complex and richly detailed character, who at first desperately seeks to find her place amongst the gods she is born in to. She really is a wonderfully complex and likeable protagonist who I immediately warmed to. The story is told entirely from her perspective and begins with her early struggles of trying to fit in. Lacking the beauty and charm of her mother, and the power of her father, she is quickly reviled and looked down upon by those around her. Through this, her independent spirit and strength grows, and she begins to question many of the choices her blood relatives make. This is particularly evident in the cruelty the gods often show mortals. After all, Circe is a fascinating character caught between the world of mortals and gods.
The thing that made the story so unique and incredibly interesting for me is because at its core, it offers intriguing insight into the voices of women within Greek mythology. The author presents a gripping portrayal of a woman seeking the power to ensure her place in this world of gods and terrifying monsters. Circe is an example of great intelligent storytelling. Beautifully written by Madeline Miller, the novel is a stunning retelling of original classic stories, told from the perspective of the notorious witch of Aiaia.
I also found the sheer timescale of the plot especially engaging. As Circe is born in to immortality, her life story spans over many centuries. Throughout her life, hundreds of generations are born and fall away around her. This further intensifies the feelings of isolation and loneliness surrounding Circe for much of her life alone on the island she is eventually exiled to.
Miller’s prose is dreamlike, and the passing of time feels so natural and perfectly paced. The length of Circe’s life so far also cleverly adds to the depth of her character and creates the sense that she has this incredible heightened understanding of the world around her. I loved so many elements of this novel. With its unique exploration of Greek mythology, the extraordinary complex heroine, and exciting mix of adventure, bloodshed, betrayal, love and evil, Circe truly does have something for everyone. I honestly can’t recommend this novel enough. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Circe is indeed a new favourite fiction for me, and I feel it will always have a special spot on my bookshelves for years to come.
Overall reaction: