Review: Circe by Madeline Miller

I absolutely adored this book. It is certainly going to be in the running for my favorite book of the year. It might win.

Most people would know Circe as the witch who does some questionable things on her island Aiaia (eye-eye-ah or ae-ae-ah?), but this story starts at her childhood and follows the Goddess through all of her mythological encounters. I don't want to enumerate them for those unaware of her history, but lots of well-known folks from Greek myth are sprinkled through this story. I also really love reading a retelling aimed at adults, it has been such a popular trend in YA and MG for so long, and I haven't read much from the adult side of this conversation.

This book is an excellent exploration of women's anger and power. I especially loved the narrative that focused on the ways women are kept from power and watching Circe learn to carve out her own power from the world that does not wish her to have it. One of my favorite parts of the narrative is that the reader sees Circe's lack of knowing how to 'play the game' before she does, we get to experience that sadness of watching her be exploited and then see her begin to dive deeply into her world and learn how to shape it for herself.

I loved the character of Circe. She was so vulnerable in the early chapters, then she becomes isolated, and she is always a part of a power struggle with people who vastly underestimate her. This character is one I had tremendous sympathy for, and I really liked her. I liked how she became independent; I loved watching her decide what she wanted out of life and then bending the Fates to her will whenever possible.

This is a very satisfying story for those familiar with Circe's life and those introduced to her for the first time. If you are already acquainted, this story's fresh take and point of view will keep you turning pages, and if you are hazier on Circe, you will get an excellent tale with occasional pops from folks you are almost sure to know. The narrative is really hers, so even as you encounter others, you get to see their stories through this particular viewpoint.

The writing is really beautiful and also pulls you through the text very well. The beginning builds that vulnerability and empathy with Circe so wonderfully that the rest of the pages fly in, seeking the rest of her story. Even though the writing is gorgeous, it is also very clear. I love this combination; you can fly through the story or stop and really savor the prose.

I loved watching the different relationships evolve while reading this story. It is so wonderful to see how Circe's connection change either because she grows to understand how it has always been or because life events change the ways in which she relates to others. Many of the book's relationships are marred with tragedy, but I loved the respite with those who respect Circe throughout the book. And I loved seeing Circe learn how to play the games of the gods and start to exert her power in some of her very established power dynamics.

I could enumerate the things I love about this book for hours. And I am willing to do that if anyone wants to talk about the book further with me, haha.

I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads and The StoryGraph. I really deeply loved this book. It has certainly shot up my favorites list, I am certain I will revisit the novel many times, and I will go read Miller's other published book, The Song of Achilles (which everyone raves about). I feel like this review is a complete mess; I really do adore this story and have issues formulation my thoughts beyond 'it is very good.’