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peachani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Grief, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
eliziaeve7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I wouldn't necessarily call it a feminist book, which would be a highly reductive term to use, rather Circe would be a reflection of patriarchy, which essentially views women as lesser beings, how the only way for her to make something of herself was through marriage, how her exile was a blessing in disguise, given it allowed her to take her first steps into being alive and discovering freedom away from society which had held her back for so long within its limited framework. Often, as is stated in the book itself, women are depicted as black and white characters, either villains or damsel in distresses, nothing in between, how Hermes forced her to take on one of the other personality rather than allowing her to be a complex, dynamic person who doesn't necessarily has to fit a mold.
The villain aspect has never been touched upon in her ither adaptations that paint her as a cruel shrew, we can finally witness her being fleshed out, painting her bleak reality, what the world of the God's looked like, how limited she was with her lack of power and helplessness, especially with not even being able to prevent the nymphs from arriving at her home. Her turning the men into swines sort of signified her breaking those shackles, finally having power essentially to change her circumstances.
I suppose the largest sign of her growth was when she negotiated with her father, having finally learned how to get what she wanted, without being taken advantage of, given how she had been betrayed by Aeetes and Glaucus.
I could, in a way, see the end coming, as is often in stories revolving around Immortals, they often wish to be mortals, having endured for centuries without respite or being tired of an unchanging life. Her being mortal sort of consolidated her desire to be different than the gods and finally gave her the life she always wished for.
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism
tomblyc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Murder
feeling_myshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Rape, Violence, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
zam_ahaana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
paulawind's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I am a Greek mythology hoe so of course I loved this book. Feminist story set in the canon which diminished women mostly to tools for heroes to chase their glory. Miller doesn’t strip away achievements of men but rather shines light on the women who were always in the background of these stories, giving them the centre of the stage. At last.
Circe is written with such an intense amount of compassion to women in general, not only the ones from myths. Circe starts off as an innocent soul, with heart of her sleeve - life is beating that out of her but never fully succeeds. She learns to guard her heart and those she loves, seizing power for herself and you can’t help but think “good for her”.
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
gabriella_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book made me laugh and cry within mere lines. I love the way Madeline Miller writes structures of misogyny without relegating women to damsels, and while writing all her characters as multidimensional with their own agendas. She captures the essence of Greek mythos without letting it choke out her own artistic vision.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism
fengari's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Rape
issyd23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
aqysn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault