Published: April 10, 2018 by: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 393
Rating: 5/5 stars
Circe was born to the God Helios, but, unlike her powerful father and siblings, she is mousy and quiet, an outcast amongst the titans. However when Circe discovers that she possesses the power of witchcraft, she begins to use that power to help the mortals that she has grown to love. When Zeus becomes threatened, Circe is banished to an island, where she comes across many famous mythological beasts and heroes, notably Odysseus on his way back to Ithaca. But when Circe comes to face one of the most vicious Olympians, she must choose between the godly world in which her powers thrive, or the mortal world in which she feels she truly belongs.
I would be happily content in just reading Madeline Miller books for the rest of my life. Seriously though, when I found out that Miller was writing another book after I finished The Song of Achilles, I knew it would be amazing. I absolutely love Greek mythology with all of my heart and she gives me everything I could ever want in mythology books.
*Funny anecdote about The Song of Achilles, I was at Indigo yesterday with my dad and he took me over to where TSoA was on a shelf and said he thought I might like it. DAD IF ONLY YOU KNEW.
Lol, anyways, Circe was a beautifully written story with the incredible imagery that always draws me to Miller's writing. This book was particularly special because it had a lot of feminist undertones to it. Circe is fiercely independent, and watching her grow into this powerful woman was amazing.
I really enjoyed the integration of a number of mythological figures, but her interactions with Odysseus were by far my favourite. It was a great nod to The Song of Achilles, but this book truly does stand on its own. Circe is an amazing character that you can't help but root for.
Overall, this is a book that I will re-read time and time again. Now to wait patiently for Miller's next book :)
Have you read Circe? What did you think?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
I haven't read it, but I've heard so much about it- glad you enjoyed it!!
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing:D
DeleteGlad this does better for feminism than Song of Achilles! (You know I loved Song of Achilles, but nothing good happened to women in that book!)
ReplyDeleteI know, but I think that was deliberate by the author to make it a little more accurate to the myth. I don’t think there’s a single woman in Greek myth who was treated well!
Delete