Scan barcode
A review by hanarama
Circe by Madeline Miller
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Good:
• Provides new perspective
• Well researched, detailed
The Bad:
• Telling, not showing
You Might Like this if You Like:
• Myths retold
• Witches
Really powerful retelling. I love the way that Miller connects multiple stories to deliver a cohesive and complete tale of one of the more intriguing figures in Greek mythology: the enchantress, Circe.
Circe's divinity feels so evident in this story. The connection to figures across years and centuries really drives this home. But additionally, Miller takes pains to differentiate divine ability from witchcraft, which helps to make Circe seem extremely powerful, and a threat to gods and mortals alike.
My one issue with this book is that it feels much more like Circe is telling the reader about everything years after the fact, rather than allowing the reader to experience Circe's life alongside her. At times, it felt as though very little had happened, despite very many things happening. And the low-key tone occasionally made me drowsy.
I would have preferred a more active tone, but despite that, I felt like this was an excellent exploration into Circe's character. And it's always great to see female POV retellings.
• Provides new perspective
• Well researched, detailed
The Bad:
• Telling, not showing
You Might Like this if You Like:
• Myths retold
• Witches
Really powerful retelling. I love the way that Miller connects multiple stories to deliver a cohesive and complete tale of one of the more intriguing figures in Greek mythology: the enchantress, Circe.
Circe's divinity feels so evident in this story. The connection to figures across years and centuries really drives this home. But additionally, Miller takes pains to differentiate divine ability from witchcraft, which helps to make Circe seem extremely powerful, and a threat to gods and mortals alike.
My one issue with this book is that it feels much more like Circe is telling the reader about everything years after the fact, rather than allowing the reader to experience Circe's life alongside her. At times, it felt as though very little had happened, despite very many things happening. And the low-key tone occasionally made me drowsy.
I would have preferred a more active tone, but despite that, I felt like this was an excellent exploration into Circe's character. And it's always great to see female POV retellings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Self harm, Pregnancy, and Medical trauma