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A review by bree_h_reads
Circe by Madeline Miller
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
If you like character driven stories and Greek mythology, then this is probably the book for you. I, however, do prefer a little more plot in my books, so this wasn’t entirely for me.
I think Circe was really interesting and had a lot of nuance. Unfortunately it didn’t feel like the same nuance was afforded to other characters. All the men were Bad unless Circe was supposed to have a romantic relationship with them. Only one, maybe two, other women was allowed to be fully good with no contest and all the other women were either cruel or had to earn sympathy. I think this is an author who can obviously write very complex characters, but so few are afforded that luxury. I did really like the relationship Circe had with Telegonus. I thought it had a lot of depth and felt really realistic. I think it was one of the most, if not the most, interesting relationships in the book. While I think it dropped the ball on the dynamic between Circe and Odysseus, specifically in setting up the reader to put the same emotion to it as Circe, it nailed that relationship between her and Telegonus.
This book was also beautifully written. I think the descriptions were amazing and everything flowed in a very lyrical way. It made the darker scenes all the more impactful, paired with the clear care and consideration put into handling them well. On top of being beautifully written, I think it played with Greek mythology in a really interesting way. It felt refreshing, even though I was hearing the stories I’d been told before.
I think my biggest issue comes in through the execution of some really interesting and nuanced themes. This book was tackling themes of the corrupting influence of power and how it leads to those who have it becoming abusive, AND themes around feminism and how men are allowed to be morally grey while women must be victims, villains, or nobodies. I think both fall flat, however, when we get to the characters meant to demonstrate these things and just get flat characters lacking in the nuance these themes deserve AND nuance afford to our main character. It just felt like a bit of a let down.
Overall I think this is a VERY well written book and I see why Miller’s work is so popular. Unfortunately my gripes and personal tastes just mean it’s not for me.
I think Circe was really interesting and had a lot of nuance. Unfortunately it didn’t feel like the same nuance was afforded to other characters. All the men were Bad unless Circe was supposed to have a romantic relationship with them. Only one, maybe two, other women was allowed to be fully good with no contest and all the other women were either cruel or had to earn sympathy. I think this is an author who can obviously write very complex characters, but so few are afforded that luxury. I did really like the relationship Circe had with Telegonus. I thought it had a lot of depth and felt really realistic. I think it was one of the most, if not the most, interesting relationships in the book. While I think it dropped the ball on the dynamic between Circe and Odysseus, specifically in setting up the reader to put the same emotion to it as Circe, it nailed that relationship between her and Telegonus.
This book was also beautifully written. I think the descriptions were amazing and everything flowed in a very lyrical way. It made the darker scenes all the more impactful, paired with the clear care and consideration put into handling them well. On top of being beautifully written, I think it played with Greek mythology in a really interesting way. It felt refreshing, even though I was hearing the stories I’d been told before.
I think my biggest issue comes in through the execution of some really interesting and nuanced themes. This book was tackling themes of the corrupting influence of power and how it leads to those who have it becoming abusive, AND themes around feminism and how men are allowed to be morally grey while women must be victims, villains, or nobodies. I think both fall flat, however, when we get to the characters meant to demonstrate these things and just get flat characters lacking in the nuance these themes deserve AND nuance afford to our main character. It just felt like a bit of a let down.
Overall I think this is a VERY well written book and I see why Miller’s work is so popular. Unfortunately my gripes and personal tastes just mean it’s not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Pregnancy
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content
Minor: Incest
Bestiality is briefly referenced/alluded to