Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

Circe by Madeline Miller

27 reviews

passivewax's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

WOW! Blown away. Beautiful and dark and the best testimony I’ve seen to the worthwhile flaws of being human. 

“I had walked the earth for a hundred generations, yet I was still a child to myself.”

Something else I want to add is that often I have trouble being able to envision scenery when reading, like following along with an author’s depictions is usually pointless for me and something I will read twice and then skip over because the description just doesn’t do it for me. Miller’s writing never once stumped me or had me reread, even in complex visual scenes. And also - it was so beautiful! The world she created and the imagery of nature and feelings was so extremely vivid. Was a nice change for sure. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Medical trauma, Slavery, War, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Incest, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

gabriella_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I read most of this book on a round trip train ride and someone’s front lawn. My god this book was gripping. I preferred The Song of Achilles for the romantic overtures but I think Madeline Miller really comes into her own as an author writing prose in this piece. The depth of the way she characterizes has compounded exponentially in this book. It’s such a refreshing spin on Greek mythos that I couldn’t put the book down.

This book made me laugh and cry within mere lines. I love the way Madeline Miller writes structures of misogyny without relegating women to damsels, and while writing all her characters as multidimensional with their own agendas. She captures the essence of Greek mythos without letting it choke out her own artistic vision.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Rape, Child death, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Cannibalism, Murder, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Sexism, Death, Grief, Pregnancy, Violence, Blood, Body shaming, Confinement, Medical trauma, Medical content, Misogyny, Incest, Sexual harassment, War, Child abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

marissasa's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Circe's journey of finding herself and learning to live for herself after centuries growing up abused, neglected, and forgotten was touching and told beautifully. I loved the feminist reframing of this character in Greek mythology and the way she was turned into a protagonist with her own agency and reasoning behind actions that were previously only known as plot devices in the tales of male heroes like Odysseus. Circe wasn't a huge name among the gods, being a minor goddess herself as one of many children of a Titan and a nymph. This made her situation all the more interesting as she had to use her wit and develop her witch abilities to overcome obstacles, as opposed to being able to set things on fire or turn people to stone with one look as some of the major gods could. Throughout the book you really feel for her and come to root for her, wanting her to find meaningful connections and a way to be truly happy despite her trauma and eternal punishment. She is fierce, determined, kindhearted, honest, and loving, and I loved Miller's beautiful writing style and masterful skill in conveying this lovely character's story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, War, Alcohol, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Blood, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism

kyra2004's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Good book! Really enjoyed it, I plan on rereading it again one day.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Incest

Moderate: Murder, Cursing, and War

Minor: Animal death

taleofabibliophile's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death of parent, Blood, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Animal death, Murder, Violence, Death, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore

Moderate: War, Torture, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, and Vomit

Minor: Suicide, Sexual content, Ableism, Self harm, and Child death

angeldevoursliterature's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Violence

Minor: Cursing

samantha365's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Cursing, Sexual assault, Excrement, Grief, Sexual violence, Animal death, Misogyny, and Pregnancy

_eleanorgreen8_'s review against another edition

inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved this book so much. Madeline Miller's rich retellings of Greek myths are so intruiging and feel so modern. I don't know anything about Greek mythology, but this book introduced a world of wonder and ideas that I loved reading about. I particularly loved the descriptions of nature and witchcraft throughout the book, which really brought the story to life. The overall plot was a bit slow, but since it was a retelling I could accept that. Overall just a really enchanting, meaningful read that left me feeling deeply moved. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Gore, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Cursing, Incest, Rape, and Sexual content

luminifera's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I absolutely loved it. What a beautiful retelling of the myth. So many details!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Body horror, Cannibalism, Confinement, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Animal death, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Bullying, Child death, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Torture, Child abuse, Cursing, Rape, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Death, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, War, Self harm, Infidelity, Addiction, Incest, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Xenophobia, and Alcohol

It's a heavy book. However, very much worth the read, and

Spoiler

it has a happy ending!

kaypringle's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

It is my pleasure to say that I felt thoroughly sated by this novel, particularly it’s ending. The pace was definitely medium, more on the slower side, yet the character development and plot truly hooks readers in! It felt like I was burning with the passion of Helios and the Fates to get to the end of this wonderful tale! The imagery was superb and gave me that “I just finished greatness” feeling, almost as if I’ve just walked out of a great movie, yet better because it’s right in my hands!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Cursing, Bullying, and Death