• Contact
  • Review Policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Book Reviews
    • Classic Fiction
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Non Fiction
  • Literary Life
    • Bookshops
    • Reading Inspiration
  • Journal
    • Monthly Wrap Ups
    • Sunday Stories

Follow Us

  • Instagram
  • Goodreads
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
Behind Her Books

Book reviews, recommendations and stories of literary life.

Circe by Madeline Miller
Contemporary Fiction

Circe by Madeline Miller

July 8, 2020

If you come by here often, you may have recently read a recent Sunday Stories post where I lamented the fact that I dropped my mother’s copy of Circe in the bath. Luckily it lived to tell the tale (hair drier) and thank goodness because I loved it. (Also, my mum forgave me because she’s extremely kind. I’d have been livid.)

Circe is a rich and captivating retelling of the well-known character from ancient Greek mythology. Circe, the daughter of Helios, the god of the sun and most powerful of the Titans, is considered unimportant. A lowly nymph, she is pretty much ignored until it is discovered that she is capable of witchcraft. After causing a smidge of trouble, she is seen to risk the precarious balance of peace between the gods and the Titans and is banished to live her life in isolation on the island of Aiaia.

It is there that Circe hones her magical skills. She becomes a powerful witch, or pharmakis, and has a particular affinity with transformational magic. Although she is otherworldly, it is her human quality that makes her such an interesting character. Miller reminds us that ultimately Circe is a woman trapped and limited in life by tyrannical men who care not for her strength or talents. She may be immortal and able to whip up some handy brews, but she’s also vulnerable, lonely and angry. She acknowledges her flaws and learns to handle what life throws at her. It is this humanity that makes her relatable.

Be assured that the story isn’t just about Circe pottering about on Aiaia. (I would probably read it even if it was. She’s my new hero – I want to have lions and wolves as familiars!) No, as is so common with Greek mythology, a cast of quirky characters show up throughout the book. We watch through Circe’s eyes as Gods and mortals perform both wicked and wonderful deeds. It’s so fun to watch familiar stories play out, learning more about the people involved and what happened to them. Over time we also see relationships come and go, and how Circe’s love for mortals provides her with both joy and pain.

Although I am interested in Greek mythology, I can’t pretend to be an expert. However, I don’t think I need a PhD in Classics to know that women get a rough deal in them. Often simply erased out of stories, when they are mentioned they are at mercy of men. Or they’re the villain, used to make a point. That’s why I think Circe resonates with so many people. This feminist retelling gives a voice to one of the most famous villainesses of Greek mythology. It gives her a backstory, a drive, her substance. Circe is not someone to be easily dismissed, as she proves time and time again. And her strength comes from being a woman, not despite it. Basically, she is a BADASS.

This book is magical, warm and a sheer delight to read. Going backwards I know, but I’ve just bought The Song of Achilles because I want to get back into this world. Pun totally intended it’s spellbinding.

Book Details

Circe is written by Madeline Miller and was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019.

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.

You can grab a copy here.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

You might also like

Post navigation

Sunday Stories #10
My Favourite Childhood Books

Never miss a post

Sign up to the Behind Her Books mailing list and receive book ideas straight to your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Follow Behind Her Books on WordPress.com

behindherbooksblog

Megan | Behind Her Books
Currently reading Ghosts and I am already (to use Currently reading Ghosts and I am already (to use the parlance of The High Low) ob-sessed. Such beautiful writing and I find myself nodding along in agreement and so many bits, my head is at risk of coming off. Hopefully finish this afternoon then on to uni reading.

What's your plans for Sunday?

#igbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #ghosts
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse ✨ This The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse ✨

This book is the perfect salve to January the l o n g e s t month of the year (I think there's around 300 days in it). Warm, wise, and full of friendship and kindness, I can see why this book was so popular when it came out. With pages full of beautiful illustrations and messages of love, I implore you to read this book. Then lend it to your friends, your family, your neighbour, anyone who needs to remember how much kindness there is in the human heart.

My favourite quote: "When the big things feel out of control ... focus on what you love right under your nose." ♥️
I've had 'catch up on book reviews' on my to do li I've had 'catch up on book reviews' on my to do list for weeks now and I've finally got started 🙌🏻 Yay for progress!

I've not seen many people talking about Slack-Tide on here but I enjoyed it / was frustrated by the characters so I wanted to write up some of my thoughts!

There's a new post up on the blog that I'd love for you to read ♥️

#bookblogger #Bookstagram #bookreview #slacktide #igbooks
First book of 2021 - what do you mean, you didn't First book of 2021 - what do you mean, you didn't start with some Willy Shakespeare? Weird 😜

Had to read that as part of my uni reading as we are exploring what makes certain texts a 'classic' and the cultural impact of them. Finding it really interesting (coz I'm unashamedly a nerd) and also have a deep urge to watch Shakespeare in Love because I feel like it will count as research, right?
⭐ 2021 Reading Goals ⭐ Like most people I can ⭐ 2021 Reading Goals ⭐

Like most people I can't help but start the year by thinking about my plans, goals and dreams for the next 12 months. Can't help it I love a cliché and an excuse to write a list. I've written about my 2021 reading goals over on the blog - would love if you gave it a read. Link is in my bio, luv ya.
Here's to new beginnings, new books and a fresh ne Here's to new beginnings, new books and a fresh new year ahead of us.

I don't come to you with big reading goals for 2021 because if last year taught me anything, it's to find pleasure in the things that I love. So this year my focus is on finding new authors, genres, or voices to fall in love with, along with revisiting some of those that I already cherish.

Happy New Year to all my book friends, it's nice to be back.
Hey friends, it's a been a hot minute. What's goin Hey friends, it's a been a hot minute. What's going on with you all?

The past week or so has been busy with uni tutorials, work, getting back into the gym (finally!), and most exciting of all prepping for a little fluffy addition to the household 🐶

Photo is completely unrelated but still so pretty. This was my first from the @mrbsemporium subscription I got for my birthday and they nailed it! Sounds glorious.

How's your week been? Let me know what's going on with you!
Books goals for the last couple of weeks of 2020 ☝🏻

I know right, doesn't feel weird that we're almost at the end of 2020. Life gets busy at this time of year (even in the current situation!) but that doesn't mean I can't squeeze in a few more reads right.

Here are some books I'd love to read before the end of this year. Some new, some I've had on my shelf a few months.

What's on your reading list for 2020? Have you read any of these? I'd love to know what you thought!
Wouldn't expect anything less than this dreamy cov Wouldn't expect anything less than this dreamy cover from Lana Del Ray. I don't read a lot of poetry but I am looking forward to jumping into this one.

2020 Reading Challenge

2020 Reading Challenge
Megan has read 26 books toward her goal of 30 books.
hide
26 of 30 (86%)
view books

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

4 Comments

  • Café Society says:
    July 8, 2020 at 10:00

    I really enjoyed The Song of Achilles I hope you do too, but I have to say that I think that Circe is a far better book, exploring issues in much greater depth.

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Megan says:
      July 8, 2020 at 17:18

      Oh really, that’s interesting! The Song of Achilles kind of passed me by so I am looking forward to reading it.

      Loading...
      Reply
  • Stephen Writes says:
    July 8, 2020 at 16:45

    Great review, Megan. I adored the writing in this book, it was so good! The characterisation of Circe is also on point. I ended up giving it four stars because not a huge amount happens plot-wise. I’m glad you loved it!

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Megan says:
      July 8, 2020 at 17:19

      Thank you, and I agree the writing was great. I loved the way the chapters ended kind of abruptly and you’d have to read on then. I know what you mean, I quite like the slow burn though!

      Loading...
      Reply

Are you on the list?

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Contact
  • Review Policy
  • Instagram
  • Goodreads
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2020 Behind Her Books
Cressida by LyraThemes.com
%d bloggers like this: