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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I expected this to be engaging but it was a hundredfold better than expected. Fantastic narrative voice, thought provoking existential questions, action, and immense character growth! I especially loved seeing a detailed continuation of the story of my favorite character from The Odyssey, Telemachus!!! ❤️
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Wow. Damn. I loved that? It had a slow start but by the end, once I could see the theming wrapping up so tightly and I could think back on all the characters and their characterizations, I just kind of sat up and thought, wow this is good. Also, I stayed up till 4 am to finish it, which tells you something about how spellbinding the second half of the book is.
I guess in terms of giving flowers, my favorite aspect of this book is the treatment of these mythical characters, both divine and mortal. I've read a few interpretations of the Greek myths thus far, and most go for either comedy or sincere drama. This take, that each actor is a selfish being unto themselves, with specific motivators no more complex or simple than the next, that the gods and heroes are all just disappointingly self-involved, and the critique that accompanies that, is just so satisfying to read, at least once our lead character gains the wherewithal to do anything about it as it affects her own life. That's my interpretation, anyway, and as someone with unreasonably extensive experience with these mythologies, I was impressed and it landed excellently, for whatever that's worth.
I also enjoyed the occasional nod, through Circe's musings, to how certain events would be retold by poets. That was a bit of a heavy-handed risk, but for my taste, it paid off. Using it sparingly was the restraint needed to ever make that move work.
I'm aware that this is a pretty popular book and many people I knew were recommending I read it back when it came out. I'm glad I finally got around to it, and I look forward to trying out the Song of Achilles next.
I guess in terms of giving flowers, my favorite aspect of this book is the treatment of these mythical characters, both divine and mortal. I've read a few interpretations of the Greek myths thus far, and most go for either comedy or sincere drama. This take, that each actor is a selfish being unto themselves, with specific motivators no more complex or simple than the next, that the gods and heroes are all just disappointingly self-involved, and the critique that accompanies that, is just so satisfying to read, at least once our lead character gains the wherewithal to do anything about it as it affects her own life. That's my interpretation, anyway, and as someone with unreasonably extensive experience with these mythologies, I was impressed and it landed excellently, for whatever that's worth.
I also enjoyed the occasional nod, through Circe's musings, to how certain events would be retold by poets. That was a bit of a heavy-handed risk, but for my taste, it paid off. Using it sparingly was the restraint needed to ever make that move work.
I'm aware that this is a pretty popular book and many people I knew were recommending I read it back when it came out. I'm glad I finally got around to it, and I look forward to trying out the Song of Achilles next.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i enjoyed this! the feeling i got while reading it reminded me of the TNG episode where picard lives an entire lifetime during the span of a few moments. i sometimes find myth retellings or adaptations tedious but this was pretty good. it didn't have me in tears like the song of achilles, but it was quite nice.
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes