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A review by snowwhitehatesapples
Circe by Madeline Miller
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous .
That’s my primary thought when it comes to Madeline Miller’s Circe because this reimagining of the notorious enchantress-goddess in ancient Greek mythology is a stunner. I’m completely taken by how the author brilliantly humanises who several people would deem a villain, making the titular main character complex and flawed yet so, so relatable. I’ve not cared deeply for a character in a long time, but Circe has awakened that in me and even now, more than a month after I finished reading this book, I still find myself unable to part with the story.
Spanning thousands of years, this book begins at Circe’s birth and ends at her death (whether literal or metaphorical, I leave that up to you to decide). It touches on so many things and has so many characters, but ultimately, it’s the witch-goddess’ story. We see her grow from naïve, lonely and shunned daughter of nymph Perse and Titan Helios to the all-powerful witch of Aeaea who turns bad men into swine, and then, more. Amidst all the betrayals, drama, magic and adventures, Circe is, at its heart, a story of pain and anger, desire and love, heartache and loneliness, strength and motherhood.
That said, don’t read this book expecting adventures and battles a hero would undergo because this isn’t the story of a hero. It’s the story of a side character, a “dreadful goddess with lovely hair and human speech” as per Homer’s Odyssey . Thus, read Circe as a breath of fresh air where this side character learns how to respect and love herself, and that by accepting and being herself, she becomes free.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous .
That’s my primary thought when it comes to Madeline Miller’s Circe because this reimagining of the notorious enchantress-goddess in ancient Greek mythology is a stunner. I’m completely taken by how the author brilliantly humanises who several people would deem a villain, making the titular main character complex and flawed yet so, so relatable. I’ve not cared deeply for a character in a long time, but Circe has awakened that in me and even now, more than a month after I finished reading this book, I still find myself unable to part with the story.
Spanning thousands of years, this book begins at Circe’s birth and ends at her death (whether literal or metaphorical, I leave that up to you to decide). It touches on so many things and has so many characters, but ultimately, it’s the witch-goddess’ story. We see her grow from naïve, lonely and shunned daughter of nymph Perse and Titan Helios to the all-powerful witch of Aeaea who turns bad men into swine, and then, more. Amidst all the betrayals, drama, magic and adventures, Circe is, at its heart, a story of pain and anger, desire and love, heartache and loneliness, strength and motherhood.
That said, don’t read this book expecting adventures and battles a hero would undergo because this isn’t the story of a hero. It’s the story of a side character, a “dreadful goddess with lovely hair and human speech” as per Homer’s Odyssey . Thus, read Circe as a breath of fresh air where this side character learns how to respect and love herself, and that by accepting and being herself, she becomes free.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Gore, Infidelity, Rape, and Blood
Minor: Incest, Pregnancy, and War