Circe by Madeline Miller
Circe by Madeline Miller
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I mean who doesn't enjoy Greek mythology, adventurous tales, a complicated heroine struggling through betrayal and magical spells and creatures?
Madeline Miller wrote this book beautifully; by combining Greek tragedy and literary fantasy this book felt like a classic written long ago, but was still more modernly written and entertaining on every single page. Basically, the details and descriptions added to the flow and ebb of Circe's life, they did not bore you to tears.
One of the other things I liked most about this book is how Miller intertwined so many of the more popular Greek gods and myths within this story. Since Greek Myths often have a few different interpretations, Miller did an amazing job of using a version to her best advantage. I loved that there were so many great myths included that truly added to Circe's personal journey. You were able to get a more general scope of the Greek gods but then also followed Circe's very personal story.
We follow Circe from when she is just a naive lesser nymph in the Gods' world, just longing to be accepted and loved. Then, Circe begins to learn witchcraft. In an act of desperation and love, she casts a spell which angers Zeus to the point of her banishment to an isolated island. From this moment on, we follow Circe as she believes lies from those around her, and even those she loves. Slowly, she becomes hardened by these deceptions and begins to enact vengeance on those who she finds most deserving while still protecting those she loves. She constantly battles with her innate compassion and her all-consuming rage.
This book talks of the Minotaur, Icarus, Odysseus, but it also talks of the life of a woman who experiences pain, love, heartache, motherhood and friendship. She must determine if she belongs with the Gods or the mortals she loves.