“A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess’s story,” this #1 New York Times bestseller is “both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right” (Alexandra Alter, The New York Times). In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child — not powerful, like … strange child — not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power — the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.
Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.
But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.
With unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language, and page-turning suspense, Circe is a triumph of storytelling, an intoxicating epic of family rivalry, palace intrigue, love and loss, as well as a celebration of indomitable female strength in a man’s world.
#1 New York Times Bestseller — named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, the Washington Post, People, Time, Amazon, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, Newsweek, the A.V. Club, Christian Science Monitor, Refinery 29, Buzzfeed, Paste, Audible, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Thrillist, NYPL, Self, Real Simple, Goodreads, Boston Globe, Electric Literature, BookPage, the Guardian, Book Riot, Seattle Times, and Business Insider.
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I listened to this on Audible. I really liked the narrator and found the story captivating!
The writing was some of the best I’ve come across in recent years. The author is a true wordsmith. But the story disappointed me in the end. Political correctness seemed to find its way in, and some of the characters seemed to step out of their established character at times. I really dislike when that happens.
The characters are straight out of myth and wonderfully “humanized”. The book made me appreciate Circe more as we see her life play out with both tragic events and wonderful ones that shape her character.
A droll, witty, brilliant take on what it would be like to live among the gods–from the female perspective. Circe is so real from the moment she begins her tale. And what a tale it is. Highly recommend it!
Story after great story written from Circe’s perspective.
I LOVED this book; finished it in two days. Fantastic if you love mythology with a twist of romance.
One of the most spellbinding books I’ve read in my life.
Some of the most hauntingly gorgeous writing I’ve read in years.
Most reviews of Madeline Miller’s second novel, an extended retelling of the myth of Circe, label it as a feminist perspective, and while that is true, this is also a compelling story full of adventure magic, and complex, well-drawn characters. Miller begins by going back in time from the familiar episode in which Oysseus’s men are turned into swine, back to Circe’s childhood in the palace of her father, the Titan sun god Helios.Considered not pretty enough, not smart enough, too willful, too outspoken, and not even in possession of a melodious voice, the young Circe is constantly told that no one wants to hear her speak and that she is “the worst of Helios’s children.” No wonder she develops a weakness for mortals and underdogs. Her first significant act of disobedience remains a lifelong secret: that she brought a cup of water to her uncle Prometheus, hanging in chains after being whipped for giving the gift of fire to mortals. With her brother (her only friendly companion), Circe begins to study spells and magic, earning a reputation as a witch. She falls in love with a struggling fisherman, Glaucos, and uses her knowledge to transform him into a god, but when he spurns her, she turns her wrath upon his beloved and is brutally punished by Helios. Later, when war breaks out between to Titans and Zeus, Helios agrees to send Circe into exile as one of the terms of a peace treaty. Alone on the island of Aiaia, she becomes the goddess we know from The Odyssey. Her fate and that of her son Telegonus become intertwined with that of Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus.
Miller’s genius is in giving us insight into Circe’s psyche. Once on the island, none of her actions are taken for pure revenge: there are always mitigating circumstances, including self defense and the protection of loved ones. Certainly the themes of women’s lack of power, the silencing of their voices, and their devaluation are at the forefront. Initially antagonists, Circe and Penelope eventually form a bond that also demonstrates the power women can achieve when they join forces. But lest you are put off by the feminist slant, never fear: there are plenty of gods, monsters, and mayhem straight out of mythology, including Daedalus and Icarus, Scylla and Charybdis, Hermes, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, the Minotaur, and more.
Overall, this is an enchanted and enchanting novel, as beautifully written and vividly imagined as Miller’s first , The Song of Apollo. I can hardly wait for her next venture into Greek mythology.
This is a book I didn’t want to end. I loved it.
Loved it.
This is a wonderful retelling of an ancient Greek tale. The book takes the reader through the tragic life of Circe from Circe’s point of view. There is sorrow, anger, jealousy, love, and redemption.
Lyrical in its writing. Incredibly detailed and mesmerizing
Fabulous theme and beautifully told!
Circe remains my top read for 2018. The retelling of the famous Greek tale from the feminine perspective was one of the most beautiful and engaging works I’ve read in a long time.
I’ve always loved Greek mythology. This tale focuses on a lesser-known titan and you re-live classic/familiar Greek tales from her POV. Wonderful character development. I hope there are more of these coming from Madeline Miller. (Song of Achilles in my TBR queue.)
Memoir of the goddess Circe. Very entertaining and well written. Loved it!
Magical retelling of the Greek myth.
Sometimes slow, overall worth it if you like mythology.
A wonderful retelling of the story of the goddess Circe who in this story becomes a hero in her own right.