Scan barcode
A review by sarahgabriellereads
Circe by Madeline Miller
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Madeline Miller’s writing is breathtakingly exquisite and I felt like I was reading poetry from start to finish - I drank up every single word.
The telling of Circe’s story was laid out very well. Learning how her family treated her and saw her as the black sheep of the family was quite sad because all she wanted was to be loved and appreciated like her siblings, but was something she never got to experience.
The revelation of Circe being a Pharmakis (Witch) alongside her siblings gave her an edge she previously didn’t possess among the figures in her life - she finally didn’t feel “less than”. Unfortunately, her family did not see her any differently, and she was exiled to the island of Aiaia for eternity because of a spell she cast that the gods did not approve of.
The true beginning of Circe’s life in my eyes was when she began her new life on the island. It was there she stepped out of the box her mother and family alike had placed her in her whole life. Over the years, she learned her strengths as a witch and became confident in herself for the first time, and also began a new chapter as a mother to Telemongus who Odysseus fathered before he left Aiaia.
Throughout her story, Circe endured heartbreak after heartbreak and mourned loss after loss - Glaucos, Daedalus, her lion and finally Odysseus. She finally set herself free from her harsh life as a goddess by making a deal with Helios and turning herself into a mortal so she could travel the world and see her son again, to finally live the life she deserved with her true love, Telemachus.
Overall, Circe was a stunning tale of love, heartbreak and finding faith in yourself.
The telling of Circe’s story was laid out very well. Learning how her family treated her and saw her as the black sheep of the family was quite sad because all she wanted was to be loved and appreciated like her siblings, but was something she never got to experience.
The revelation of Circe being a Pharmakis (Witch) alongside her siblings gave her an edge she previously didn’t possess among the figures in her life - she finally didn’t feel “less than”. Unfortunately, her family did not see her any differently, and she was exiled to the island of Aiaia for eternity because of a spell she cast that the gods did not approve of.
The true beginning of Circe’s life in my eyes was when she began her new life on the island. It was there she stepped out of the box her mother and family alike had placed her in her whole life. Over the years, she learned her strengths as a witch and became confident in herself for the first time, and also began a new chapter as a mother to Telemongus who Odysseus fathered before he left Aiaia.
Throughout her story, Circe endured heartbreak after heartbreak and mourned loss after loss - Glaucos, Daedalus, her lion and finally Odysseus. She finally set herself free from her harsh life as a goddess by making a deal with Helios and turning herself into a mortal so she could travel the world and see her son again, to finally live the life she deserved with her true love, Telemachus.
Overall, Circe was a stunning tale of love, heartbreak and finding faith in yourself.