Review: Circe by Madeline Miller

Overview:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

So, Circe was actually my first read of 2021. It is a complicated, tender, slow-burn of a story — everything I was NOT expecting it to be. The introduction of exposition could be a bit smoother, but I generally think it’s the perfect read for anyone who wants to take their time and get in their feels.

Content Warning:

Circe contains emotional abuse, familial death, torture, animal sacrifice, childbirth, sexual assault, sexism, and gore.

Book Description:

Circe is an adult fiction novel and retelling of Greek Myth. Using the perspective of the goddess Circe herself, Miller explores themes of freedom, humanity, and love in legendary stories.

On the Use of Greek Mythology:

You do not need to have any prior knowledge of Greek mythology to understand and enjoy this book. With each character, relationship, or historical event introduced, Miller covers the basics through exposition of various sorts. As someone who HAS studied Greek and Latin, there were points where this recapping of information dragged. For the most part, though, Miller utilizes a fresh perspective to engage with familiar stories. I particularly enjoyed the lens of mental health and potential abuse that she applied to Odysseus’ story.

On the Pacing of the Story:

Going into Circe, I predicted it would be a fast-paced story with high stakes. Its subjects are literal Gods, so I presumed it would be brimming with epic-ness. What I did not anticipate was the extent to which Circe’s major conflict (aka being banished to live in solitude on an island) would remove the reader from the major events of the Ancient Greek world. Rather than being exposed to a first-person account of famous legend, Circe (and thus the reader) is forced to absorb new developments as they are explained by her visitors, in a passive fashion. Consequently, the major drama of the book comes from the slow-burn of Circe’s reactions to the events. While interesting and complex, it does not make for a fast-paced, action-packed read.

On the Character Development:

My favorite element of this book is the emotional development Circe undergoes. She transitions from a scared, attention-seeking child, to a vengeful and (rightfully) angry witch, to a hopeful and confident human. Each of these stages is in extreme contrast to one another, but her journey feels genuine and never forced.

On Who Might Enjoy Circe (an incomplete list):

I recommend you read Circe if you:

• enjoy retellings, especially those involving mythology or lore

• are in the mood for a slow-burn, psychological deep-dive

• appreciate “flipped stories,” in which a minor character or villain becomes the hero (e.g. Fatal Throne, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, etc.)

• prioritize character development

• are seeking an emotion-heavy read