This book gives new meaning to the phrase “the gods are cruel.”
Circe is the tale of a forgotten daughter, exiled to a deserted island where she not only survives but builds a beautiful life.
We meet Circe living with her father Helios in his golden palace. We witness her life, her status, and her undeniable spirit in the face of extreme ridicule.
Circe is a child pushed aside from birth, but one filled with immense love. In her desperation to be seen, she defies her father and is exiled to an island where she must live out her days alone. It is on this island that she develops her skills as the famed witch of Aiaia.
As you follow Circe’s life, you are introduced to a variety of mythical beasts, as well as gods and goddesses from familiar Greek mythology. Madeline Miller does a phenomenal job weaving the complexity of these myths into her novel, folding them into the narrative so they feel natural and even plausible.
Madeline Miller creates a host of characters for the reader to both love and hate, each one more layered than the last. The settings, though pure fantasy, were lush and tangible. You could feel the mist in the air, smell the herbs crushed for her potions, even taste the offering of nectar as it hits Prometheus’ parched throat. Every emotion in the book is deep and visceral. From the explosive pain of her father’s punishments to the loss and fear of motherhood, Miller splits Circe in two, allowing us to inspect her, and never spares a single sensation.
This novel is an absolute treasure. I laughed, wept, and hoped alongside Circe, and though the ending was not what I had hoped, I found a way to understand.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.