Circe - Madeline Miller

Circe

By Madeline Miller

  • Release Date: 2018-04-10
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 3,841 Ratings

Description

This #1 New York Times bestseller is a "bold and subversive retelling of the goddess's story" that brilliantly reimagines the life of Circe, formidable sorceress of The Odyssey (Alexandra Alter, TheNew York Times).

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child -- not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power -- the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

With unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language, and page-turning suspense, Circe is a triumph of storytelling, an intoxicating epic of family rivalry, palace intrigue, love and loss, as well as a celebration of indomitable female strength in a man's world.

#1 New York Times Bestseller -- named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, the Washington Post, People, Time, Amazon, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, Newsweek, the A.V. Club, Christian Science Monitor, Refinery 29, Buzzfeed, Paste, Audible, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Thrillist, NYPL, Self, Real Simple, Goodreads, Boston Globe, Electric Literature, BookPage, the Guardian, Book Riot, Seattle Times, and Business Insider.

Reviews

  • Wanderlust

    5
    By pharmer_c
    Amazing read. I loved the story line. Anything Greek or Titan related is an instant win for me. This story is beautifully told, you can imagine yourself in every aspect of the character. A win for me.
  • To Be Human

    4
    By Richard Bakare
    Madeline Miller’s “Circe” is a brilliant act of imaginative output that is mesmerizing and hard to put down. Miller utilizes humor, drama, and intrigue to create something new but also familiar all at once. Don’t be surprised if memories from your Greek mythology courses come rushing back; and if you’ve read the Odyssey then you will be rewarded with more layers to an already spiraling tale. In keeping with conflicting aspects of Greek mythology, Miller makes sure that we question the perspective of our protagonist from the beginning. Over multiple scenarios Circe reminds us that her own perceptions are misaligned with the experiences of others. In a way, that same doubt prompts you to remember to suspend your imagination and lean into the fantasy. Through that lens we experience so many rich events that give this book the meat on its bones. My favorite aspect of this book is Circe’s perspective that is used to illuminate unique insights about humanity; by way of her curiosity and observations of human peculiarities. We also see the Gods as stand ins for the petty and complicated relationships within families through her eyes. Along with how power dynamics imbalance and taint everything. Of course there is the use of sex and pairings as political collateral. For all that, the most moving lesson is saved for the very end. The final act and vision of our Goddess shows us that love exists where there is something to lose. Being human, and love for that matter, are representations of the choice to exist and move forward in a world that takes and takes and takes from you. Miller’s work fits so seamlessly in the lexicon of Greek stories you feel it was always there, timeless, waiting to be picked up.
  • Excellent read

    5
    By MrProteinshake
    An adventure that tells the story of Circe and other greek mythology characters. An even better way to re-tell what was taught in grade school but in a more “movie-like manner”. Very good read, swallows you right up and never disappoints.
  • Don’t Skip This Read

    4
    By Brooklynatx
    Really enjoyed this read! The empathy you feel for Circe’s plight humanizes her in way you don’t immediately expect. The connection she and Penelope develop and the perspectives of Odysseus they offer adds a layer of connection to the Odyssey while painting him as a fallible and misguided human. Highly recommend this read.
  • Thanks

    5
    By unclebuz
    I am wonderfully surprised by Circe! Beautifully written, never boring. My only complaint is that it took me so many years to find it.
  • Exquisite writing, a wonderful read.

    5
    By ooglyboogly04
    I will say, I’m only halfway through the book. However, I keep finding my mind blown every time Circe focuses on a character and you realize who exactly that character is in mythology. The way Miller uses lesser known characters to introduce well known icons is *chef’s kiss* Wish I had read this sooner. Super satisfying read so far. Thank you Miller.
  • Felt overall slow paced….

    3
    By hawtt potato
    I found myself creeping towards the end at a snails pace. However, there are definitely some parts that make this book impossible to put down and memorable. It probably didn’t help that I had stellar expectations after just wrapping up Achilles and then jumping into this one.
  • So good!

    5
    By sara suzette
    Loved loved the storyline, and the writing style. It was easy to feel the emotions and relate to them.
  • Favorite Mythos Author

    5
    By RoryMadd
    This was my first book written by Miller and I absolutely adore it. Immediately after finishing it I had to go read her other book The Song of Achilles.
  • Incredible

    5
    By Macademiacc
    This book blew my mind. Exceptional

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