A review by jenrcratsenberg
Circe by Madeline Miller

4.0

Reading Circe was like stepping into a sensory deprivation tank. The writing was fluid, not overly flowery, but if you did not learn to savor the words, I think it could hardly be enjoyed. The story spans over 1000 years and for most of it she is in exile on Aiaia (Aeaea) so this baby burns slooow. I felt like I was floating on air the entire time. I, like so many others, fell in love with The Odyssey 17+ years ago while reading classics for either required summer reading (there were choices between) or the core curriculum in early high school (I believe this one was during the core curriculum so no choice! Haha). The Odyssey was one I truly enjoyed the first time around. It became a favorite of classics for me. Odysseus was in good chunk of the story with many additions of fictional content added (there’s only so much written about Circe and no mythical diary left by her you know...) and a look into her life in exile. There are complaints about a lack of newness (the irony), so unless you are entirely new to the information, you won’t learn much here about mythology (plus inaccuracies to what we historically know because this is still marked FICTION)... but who reads fiction to read “facts” (more like mutually agreed upon information considering a large part varies depending on source)? This is a fresh perspective on Circe’s story, from her point of view (which is where “newness” lies) and I really enjoyed it!

I won’t lie, a few times I grew a little weary of being inside Circe’s head. Hence the 4 stars for me.

BUT - that ending left me feeling so hopeful.