A review by hello_lovely13
Circe by Madeline Miller

adventurous 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

4.0

The writing was, of course, amazing and right up my hill. This book did an excellent job of purposefully making you angry on Circe's behalf, with everything lined with underlying sadness as she works to embodying her own power. I liked seeing her progression as she transformed from someone that believed themselves weak and powerless to someone that was defiant and accepts and embraces how powerful they are. The ending wasn't quite my favorite, but it does make sense for the desires of the character.
I did not like that she gave up her immortality, but liked that she retained her powers and kept working as a witch. Due to the emphasis on isolation and her despair over the idea of eternity (everything always moving on, memories fleeting), it makes sense for her to want and then actually take the steps to become mortal with a more normal life, but I would have preferred her to find a found family or remain solitary, but learn to bask in her own power (she does this, but loneliness is a big aspect to her character). I absolutely loved that Penelope became the new witch of Aiaia. A refuge island for women would have been a great ending as well. I did not expect that she would actually achieve an end to her exile.
A majority of the book lacked a spark of rage, which made the treatment of Circe all the more sad. Everyone around her was absolutely terrible to her, and she would just take it. Very rarely would there be moments of catharsis where she would speak out and prove them wrong, and it was so unfortunate for her because she was always looked down on and underestimated.
The moment she achieves acquiring Trygon's tail is a good moment, and I delighted that her brother tried and failed. She didn't get much recognition on this accomplishment, but she was never concerned with such things. I more wanted it for her.
The third quarter of the book lost my attention a bit, due to the subject it focused on (
I don't particularly care about reading about motherhood; I find it a bit boring. The part about her having to defend her son against Athena was interesting because it demanded her to use the defiant side to her that acknowledges her power and uses it. The fact that she succeeds for so long only to lose him to Athena once Telemachus turns her offer down is something sad that I resigned myself to.
It was written effectively, but the subject matter is one I'm not attached to.). It was interesting seeing Circe connected to so many well-known myths. Circe always moves forward, and that is something admirable about her. Overall, a beautiful story underlined with sadness (mostly due to the audacity of men), and you will definitely be rooting for Circe until the end (I support women's rights, and I also support women's wrongs. There is also good work done making each character multifaceted, so even as you hate or love them, you are able to understand (and sometimes sympathize with) them. A definite recommend if you like slow-paced character studies.

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