Most people, if they have heard of Circe at all, recognize her only as the enchantress who turned Odysseus' men to pigs. But the goddess comes alive here in a movingly-written novel that ranges through the time of the Titans and Olympians, and shows a young woman who finds her strength in the challenges she faces.
Firstborn of the sun-god Helios and the nymph Perse, Circe hardly seemed worth notice -- a plain child, goddess-by-heritage, but not exhibiting any particular beauty or cleverness. What she had was the misfortune to fall in love with a mortal, and to discover her talent -- the ability to change things to reveal their true nature -- in an attempt to make him into a god and therefore a worthy mate.
Banished by her father to a remote island, she might have lived through the millennia without further notice, but her island seemed a beacon for wandering sailors -- among them the fabled Odysseus and his ill-fated crew.
The novel traces Circe's growth as a woman of power and as the member of the pantheon, but it is her internal changes and growing understanding that makes it come alive. As she both grows in power and begins to understand the true cost of the decisions she makes, she becomes an ever more complex and appealing character.
Peopled with figures from Prometheus to Penelope, lyrically written and utterly enchanting, Circe is a novel to immerse oneself in -- and perhaps to emerge changed into a reflection of one's true nature.
Firstborn of the sun-god Helios and the nymph Perse, Circe hardly seemed worth notice -- a plain child, goddess-by-heritage, but not exhibiting any particular beauty or cleverness. What she had was the misfortune to fall in love with a mortal, and to discover her talent -- the ability to change things to reveal their true nature -- in an attempt to make him into a god and therefore a worthy mate.
Banished by her father to a remote island, she might have lived through the millennia without further notice, but her island seemed a beacon for wandering sailors -- among them the fabled Odysseus and his ill-fated crew.
The novel traces Circe's growth as a woman of power and as the member of the pantheon, but it is her internal changes and growing understanding that makes it come alive. As she both grows in power and begins to understand the true cost of the decisions she makes, she becomes an ever more complex and appealing character.
Peopled with figures from Prometheus to Penelope, lyrically written and utterly enchanting, Circe is a novel to immerse oneself in -- and perhaps to emerge changed into a reflection of one's true nature.
I like reading books about gods, goddesses and all the creatures that live with them. However, this one was not as appealing to me as others I have read. Just couldn't get into the story. I felt, too, that the author's writing was not as polished as it could be. It's good that there are a few twists in the flow of this tale that surprise the reader. I enjoyed these. Nevertheless, I felt that there were gaps that left me the reader wondering what was really supposed to be there.
The plot is a good one and I liked the character, Circe. She is known as the goddess of sorcery (pharmakeia). The author emphasizes that her specialty was transformation. Daughter of the powerful Helios, for years she seemed to have no talent and was ridiculed by her parents and siblings. As a result she tries to please those around her or make herself as invisible as she can. This is her story as the author sees it. In this book it took Circe years and years to free herself from what others believed her to be yet these influences come out periodically throughout her life. At the end, Circe has chosen who she wants to be. From that point she can live a happy life.
Still I wonder why GR readers rated this book above the other nominated novels? In my opinion some of those were much better. Because many readers felt differently about the book I suggest that others check it out for themselves.
The plot is a good one and I liked the character, Circe. She is known as the goddess of sorcery (pharmakeia). The author emphasizes that her specialty was transformation. Daughter of the powerful Helios, for years she seemed to have no talent and was ridiculed by her parents and siblings. As a result she tries to please those around her or make herself as invisible as she can. This is her story as the author sees it. In this book it took Circe years and years to free herself from what others believed her to be yet these influences come out periodically throughout her life. At the end, Circe has chosen who she wants to be. From that point she can live a happy life.
Still I wonder why GR readers rated this book above the other nominated novels? In my opinion some of those were much better. Because many readers felt differently about the book I suggest that others check it out for themselves.
Circe is the follow-up book to The Song of Achilles. Even though Madeline Miller is considered a master storyteller, this book was not for me. I've had English courses that featured mythology but it is not my go-to genre. I was participating in a group read or I would have bailed on the book because it really did not hold my attention. I felt it was a chore each time I picked up the book but wanted to see if something would spark my interest but that did not happen. I would recommend this book to those who like mythology as I have read many glowing reviews.
