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A review by podanotherjessi
Circe by Madeline Miller
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a book of highs and low for me. It's beautifully written, and I loved the character building, but it really dragged.
This is told episodically, which I more or less expected going in, so it didn't bother me. I knew the plot would be rambly when it existed at all. The problem is that each little episode, each story in Circe's life, went on for just a little too long. Which has the result of making the book feel like it dragged on for far too long. I frequently found myself checking how much was left in the book because SURELY I was close to the end. And to call the plot meandering seems almost generous. I fell asleep whil I was reading at one point, and when I woke up it took me far too long to realize I had even missed part of the book because so little happened.
The knowledge I have of Greek myth was somehow both a blessing and a curse. There were times I felt like a basic myth was being overexplained and felt my eyes glazing over. Other times, there were inside jokes about other myths that I enjoyed being able to pick up on. This definitely leaned toward the first one at the beginning of the book, but it got much better as the book went on.
Miller's writing is beautiful, but I think how beautiful it is gets exaggerated somewhat. It's easy to read and flows nicely, but it felt almost boring to me. There wasn't enough variation, so after a little bit of listening, I got used to it and then I lost interest in how nice the writing was.
This is told episodically, which I more or less expected going in, so it didn't bother me. I knew the plot would be rambly when it existed at all. The problem is that each little episode, each story in Circe's life, went on for just a little too long. Which has the result of making the book feel like it dragged on for far too long. I frequently found myself checking how much was left in the book because SURELY I was close to the end. And to call the plot meandering seems almost generous. I fell asleep whil I was reading at one point, and when I woke up it took me far too long to realize I had even missed part of the book because so little happened.
The knowledge I have of Greek myth was somehow both a blessing and a curse. There were times I felt like a basic myth was being overexplained and felt my eyes glazing over. Other times, there were inside jokes about other myths that I enjoyed being able to pick up on. This definitely leaned toward the first one at the beginning of the book, but it got much better as the book went on.
Miller's writing is beautiful, but I think how beautiful it is gets exaggerated somewhat. It's easy to read and flows nicely, but it felt almost boring to me. There wasn't enough variation, so after a little bit of listening, I got used to it and then I lost interest in how nice the writing was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault