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A review by matt_and_cheez
Circe by Madeline Miller
4.0
If you are interested in Greek myth but find them confusing when reading translations, I highly recommend this book. It's an adaptation of the myths, so there are changes and the author's own spin, but the modern-style narrative really hooked me. The audiobook is extremely well-done and kept me immersed the whole time.
An aspect of Circe that I quite enjoyed was the depiction of the gods and titans. Miller really writes them in a way that shows their inhumanity and cruelty. She did a great job characterizing these beings as aloof, petty, jealous, and selfish above all else.
The myth of Circe normally depicts her as a villainous witch who turns men into pigs, creates apocalyptic monsters, and in a way holds Odysseus captive. This novel turns this depiction on its head and tells the story from Circe's perspective. In doing this Miller allows the reader to feel empathetic towards this truly tragic character. We are also made to ask ourselves "what does it mean to be mortal?"
An aspect of Circe that I quite enjoyed was the depiction of the gods and titans. Miller really writes them in a way that shows their inhumanity and cruelty. She did a great job characterizing these beings as aloof, petty, jealous, and selfish above all else.
The myth of Circe normally depicts her as a villainous witch who turns men into pigs, creates apocalyptic monsters, and in a way holds Odysseus captive. This novel turns this depiction on its head and tells the story from Circe's perspective. In doing this Miller allows the reader to feel empathetic towards this truly tragic character. We are also made to ask ourselves "what does it mean to be mortal?"