Circe by Madeline Miller

Stunning book!!! I am in love. And it was in great condition. (For future buyers, just know the sticker isn’t removable. That was my fault for not checking with the seller before and going off the reviews saying they removed it. I’m going to try and find a new dust jacket though.)\n\nI’m just adding an edit, that the “sticker” is bugging me more and more and it’s frustrating to buy another book in order to not have it on there. But it should be common practice that any special editions shouldn’t have the permanent stickers if dust jackets without it are available. I’ll just buy a new copy and swap dust jackets and donate it to a friend or library or something though.

I recommend Circe by Madeline Miller to anyone who wishes to plunge into the tales of Greek Mythology. It will introduce you to the story of gods and goddesses, wars and warriors. Just like her former novel "The Song of Achilles" it is a modern retelling of an age old story, and it introduces the characters as if for the first time, making it easier for total beginners. Unlike her first novel, that was equally good, I felt Circe had a more gripping hold, that would make it impossible to put the books down. The story as told by Circe, a goddess and witch, offered views of laws and prophecies, exiles and verdicts, from a female gaze. Rather than depicting heroes and gods of the past flawless, Miller has made sure to limn the various characters with their flaws and ... MoreI recommend Circe by Madeline Miller to anyone who wishes to plunge into the tales of Greek Mythology. It will introduce you to the story of gods and goddesses, wars and warriors. Just like her former novel "The Song of Achilles" it is a modern retelling of an age old story, and it introduces the characters as if for the first time, making it easier for total beginners. Unlike her first novel, that was equally good, I felt Circe had a more gripping hold, that would make it impossible to put the books down. The story as told by Circe, a goddess and witch, offered views of laws and prophecies, exiles and verdicts, from a female gaze. Rather than depicting heroes and gods of the past flawless, Miller has made sure to limn the various characters with their flaws and mistakes, that lends the whole tale a tincture of reality. I loved every chapter and page of the book and the language employed in it, that traversed me through a world reigned by Gods and Heroes, teeming with love and passion, just as much as corruption, betrayal and arrogance.

Another spectacular book from Madeline Miller.

"Witches are not so delicate," I said.Circe is hands-down one of the best books I have ever read. I instantly fell in love with the story and characters and Madeline Miller's distinctive prosaic style of writing (which makes this book easily quotable).Circe is a story of a lesser god outshone by those around her. After discovering witchcraft she uses her new-found powers to turn her old lover's wife into a monster. Threatened by these powers, Zeus orders Circe to be banished to the island Aiaia for eternity. First and foremost, it is a story of one woman's life and her journey through love, motherhood, pain and desire. There was also a sort of satisfactory feeling when Circe , who has been overlooked and belittled her whole life, finally gets some vengeance. I ... More"Witches are not so delicate," I said.Circe is hands-down one of the best books I have ever read. I instantly fell in love with the story and characters and Madeline Miller's distinctive prosaic style of writing (which makes this book easily quotable).Circe is a story of a lesser god outshone by those around her. After discovering witchcraft she uses her new-found powers to turn her old lover's wife into a monster. Threatened by these powers, Zeus orders Circe to be banished to the island Aiaia for eternity. First and foremost, it is a story of one woman's life and her journey through love, motherhood, pain and desire. There was also a sort of satisfactory feeling when Circe , who has been overlooked and belittled her whole life, finally gets some vengeance. I cannot express in words how good it was. All I can say is READ IT. Especially if you love mythology. 5/5 stars.

Disappointing

Bought through Walmart, but it’s sold and shipped by Book Outlet. Circe came damaged. The packing was okay. Chunky for a mailbox. But it was fine. However, it looks like it was already pre-owned. It’s scratched, tops of pages are torn/smashed in several spots.Would have rated 0/10 but it requires a minimum of 1 star. -.-

Dreamy retelling of a classic story

This novel was absolutely beautiful. As a Madeline Miller fan from the Song of Achilles days, I had high expectations for this book, which were absolutely met!You are dragged along with Circe to experience her world and her life; all the good, bad, and ugly that entails.The emotion in this story is so real, and can make it difficult to read at times, especially when feeling alongside her, the graphic nature of the violence that is committed against our MC. (Content warning for people with a history of sexual assault, please be aware that this book does have a scene later in the novel that portrays an assault quite accurately, and can be distressing to read).The tragic tale of Circe that has been reimagined by Miller is absolutely another hit, I can't wait to ... MoreThis novel was absolutely beautiful. As a Madeline Miller fan from the Song of Achilles days, I had high expectations for this book, which were absolutely met!You are dragged along with Circe to experience her world and her life; all the good, bad, and ugly that entails.The emotion in this story is so real, and can make it difficult to read at times, especially when feeling alongside her, the graphic nature of the violence that is committed against our MC. (Content warning for people with a history of sexual assault, please be aware that this book does have a scene later in the novel that portrays an assault quite accurately, and can be distressing to read).The tragic tale of Circe that has been reimagined by Miller is absolutely another hit, I can't wait to reread this after all my friends have borrowed it.

Powerful re-envisioning of Greek Mythology

I've never read the Iliad by Homer and had little exposure to Greek mythology growing up. Perhaps this is why I thoroughly enjoyed Circe. I can't compare it to any classics. The novel is uses Circe's point of view, a goddess and child of Helios, to explored the gender and sexual politics of an ancient time that is not so much unlike contemporary times. The story of Circe isn't very unfamiliar to modern times: a woman who discovers that she has the power to assert and change things is imprisoned and exiled for her power whilst others are celebrated. She persists, despite being told she is a lesser god, a rebellious child, and the least of all of Helios' children. Despite being bound by awe to her brutal and powerful family (Titans), as time passes, her repeated ... MoreI've never read the Iliad by Homer and had little exposure to Greek mythology growing up. Perhaps this is why I thoroughly enjoyed Circe. I can't compare it to any classics. The novel is uses Circe's point of view, a goddess and child of Helios, to explored the gender and sexual politics of an ancient time that is not so much unlike contemporary times. The story of Circe isn't very unfamiliar to modern times: a woman who discovers that she has the power to assert and change things is imprisoned and exiled for her power whilst others are celebrated. She persists, despite being told she is a lesser god, a rebellious child, and the least of all of Helios' children. Despite being bound by awe to her brutal and powerful family (Titans), as time passes, her repeated encounters with mortals allows her to find her own strength through grief, tragedy, and a special kind of love - the love of her own child. In the carnage and blessing of time, she discovers her true self beyond her immortal inheritance.I so loved it because Miller placed a flawed female character at the moral center of a mythological journey - it is she who needed to go on an adventure/odyssey and to 'slay the dragon' of the novel. Most of all, I enjoyed her chapter on parenting: the relentless exhaustion coupled with the fiercest kind of love that would endure the worst pain and strike down any reason, any God or Goddess - for that child's survival.Lovely and highly recommended. Great holiday reading and very enjoyable.

Wow...

I truly don't know where to begin but I definitely finished this book with a heavy heart. Not on the same level as 'The Song of Achilles' but enough where all I wanted to do was give Circe a massive hug ☹️Basically-Circe is the daughter of the Titan Helios, and in seeking companionship in her immortal life, she is exiled to the island of Aiaia as punishment for certain actions... While unfamiliar with her story, I found Circe's relationship with Daedalus and Odysseus both differently sweet. Though her memories of Daedalus always made me sad 🥺With all the things she went through I'm glad with how Circe's story ended. I don't think my heart would have survived if it ended in tragedy even though there were a few times I held my breath expecting the worst 😓