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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Circe by Madeline Miller is a beautifully written feminist retelling of the Odyssey. Having known little of the myths going into this, I enjoyed how easily accessible this book was.
Though the plot became somewhat repetitive towards the middle, I was still captured by the vivid prose and the interesting complexity of the main character, Circe.
An enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone looking for an introduction to Greek myth retellings.
Though the plot became somewhat repetitive towards the middle, I was still captured by the vivid prose and the interesting complexity of the main character, Circe.
An enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone looking for an introduction to Greek myth retellings.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
Nothing like I’ve ever read before. Madeline is such a gorgeous author, I had so much fun reading this.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-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
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
I just finished reading "Circe" by Madeline Miller, and wow, what an incredible experience! This book is absolutely gorgeous! Miller’s writing makes everything feel so vivid and alive. I loved how she brought the mythology around Circe to life in such an engaging way.
Honestly, two things really surprised me about this story. First, I didn't know much about Circe before diving in, but Miller did an amazing job of making her relatable and complex. It felt like I was getting to know a new friend! Second, I kept putting off reading it because I thought I'd struggle with all the names and backstories from Greek mythology. But once I started, those worries faded away, I got totally lost in the story, and all of my 8th grade Greek mythology learning clicked into place!
Overall, "Circe" is a beautiful and captivating read that I’d recommend to anyone who loves a good tale or wants to explore some mythology without feeling overwhelmed. Definitely a worthy read!
Honestly, two things really surprised me about this story. First, I didn't know much about Circe before diving in, but Miller did an amazing job of making her relatable and complex. It felt like I was getting to know a new friend! Second, I kept putting off reading it because I thought I'd struggle with all the names and backstories from Greek mythology. But once I started, those worries faded away, I got totally lost in the story, and all of my 8th grade Greek mythology learning clicked into place!
Overall, "Circe" is a beautiful and captivating read that I’d recommend to anyone who loves a good tale or wants to explore some mythology without feeling overwhelmed. Definitely a worthy read!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read the Odyssey in college, and nothing prepared me for the depth that this character was provided. I don’t know how this lines with Greek mythology, but I enjoyed the well rounded character building and depth of perspective Circe was given. She got to be a complicated character - villain and hero, goddess and mortal - without being reduced to a side kick.
Something different for me and really enjoyed it! It was fast paced, tragic and beautiful
almost gave it 4 stars. at times i did really like it. i def really liked circe as a character. i think the last 1/3 or so would have gotten a strong 4 rating. but it did take me quite a bit to get into it, and it was quite long. there were def times when i was open to reading it, but not actively looking forward.
not knowing/remembering much about greek mythology was a bit of a detriment. thankfully i read it on my kindly so i could quickly get info on various gods. but i had to look a bit into circe afterwards to learn that she is a minor character, known mostly for her role in Odysseus's life. so i do really like that the author fleshed out her character, gave her a backstory, and turned her from a "bad witch" into a good witch :). i kinda loved when she turned shitty men into pigs.
overall, the author did a good job of showing the downsides to immortal life, particularly when exiled to live alone on an island. i would have enjoyed her taking on more of an active mentor role to the nymphs who ended up on her isle, but it sounds like she was encouraging penelope (Odysseus's wife) to do so when she took over as witch of aiaia. i was a bit shocked by the ending where she takes the herbs she used to turn scylla into the monster and hopes they will turn her into her "true self" aka a mortal so that she can live out her days in love with/wedded to/co-parenting with telemachus, odysseus's son. DEF kinda a weird vibe that she had a year long relationship with odysseus and then had his kid, and then ended up in love with his first child...but i guess things were diff back then :P, not to mention the immortality/ageless factor. and i did like the way the author made her and odysseus's relationship at the time legit, but then showed how his years away really turned him into a bit of a monster. so you get why his first kid and wife didn't really mourn the fact that her kid (telegonus) accidentally killed him.
i would be open to reading something else by her.
not knowing/remembering much about greek mythology was a bit of a detriment. thankfully i read it on my kindly so i could quickly get info on various gods. but i had to look a bit into circe afterwards to learn that she is a minor character, known mostly for her role in Odysseus's life. so i do really like that the author fleshed out her character, gave her a backstory, and turned her from a "bad witch" into a good witch :). i kinda loved when she turned shitty men into pigs.
overall, the author did a good job of showing the downsides to immortal life, particularly when exiled to live alone on an island. i would have enjoyed her taking on more of an active mentor role to the nymphs who ended up on her isle, but it sounds like she was encouraging penelope (Odysseus's wife) to do so when she took over as witch of aiaia. i was a bit shocked by the ending where she takes the herbs she used to turn scylla into the monster and hopes they will turn her into her "true self" aka a mortal so that she can live out her days in love with/wedded to/co-parenting with telemachus, odysseus's son. DEF kinda a weird vibe that she had a year long relationship with odysseus and then had his kid, and then ended up in love with his first child...but i guess things were diff back then :P, not to mention the immortality/ageless factor. and i did like the way the author made her and odysseus's relationship at the time legit, but then showed how his years away really turned him into a bit of a monster. so you get why his first kid and wife didn't really mourn the fact that her kid (telegonus) accidentally killed him.
i would be open to reading something else by her.
Interesting perspective to have on some Greek stories that I’m interested in. Really good storytelling and well written.