A review by spootilious
Circe by Madeline Miller

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

 
Read: January 19, 2022 

 

Title: Circe 

Author: Madeline Miller 

Genre: Fantasy/Mythology/Historical Fiction 

 

Rating: 2.5/5 

Review: 

I went into Circe having read The Song of Achilles and thus had very high expectations. As such, I feel I was a bit bias on my opinion of this beautifully written novel but cannot be faulted for it. 

 

Any work by Miller is bound to be stunningly written, with wonderous prose and breathtaking imagery.  Circe is no different. She continues with her unique perspectives of Greek tragedies with her mimic of their iconic styles and the beautiful symbolism that is present in both. 

 

The major downfall of this novel is simply the pacing. Much like the first half of The Song of Achilles, Circe drags on at a crawling pace (a beautiful one, but a crawl none the less). The plot remained steady throughout the novel, making it feel as if there were no major climax (despite what the obvious climax of the book actually is). 

 

Overall, the writing is stunning, but the story fell flat for me. It is certainly a book I would recommend but would probably not reread. 

 

 

Quotes: 

But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth. 

The thought was this: that all my life had been murk and depths, but I was not a part of that dark water. I was a creature within it. 

But perhaps no parent can truly see their child. When we look, we see only the mirror of our own faults. 

It was my first lesson. Beneath the smooth, familiar face of things is another that waits to tear the world in two. 

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