The entire book is written in the first person, and as a narrator Circe is exceptionally immersive. She leaves just the once at the request of her sister Pasiphae, while making fateful connections with the likes of Deadalus, and Odysseus, back from the Trojan War. There, she continues to develop her abilities and provides hospitality for the many men who arrive, lost at sea only to punish them when they – foolishly overwhelmed by the very existence of such an independent woman – try to take advantage of her sole presence. She discovers the power of witchcraft and when love causes her to inflict an evil spell, she is exiled indefinitely to the island of Aiaia. At the same time, the writing is absolutely stunning and so unerringly full of meaning that it mostly makes up for the relative lack of plot development.Ĭirce is one of the many daughters of the sun god Helios, but she lacks such divine characteristics as voice and appearance, so is cast aside by her fellows and forced to turn towards mortals in order to gain companionship. It is a book unlike any other I have read an odyssey in itself.Īs the title suggests, this is a story that completely revolves around Circe herself, and it sweeps you away effortlessly as she encounters numerous figures from Greek myth at various stages of her eternal life. From beginning to end, I was carried along through infinity by Circe, who is compellingly imagined and portrayed by Madeline Miller throughout her divine journey. This is a book that has a unique and effective way of embracing you in the mind of a character. To protect what she holds dear, Circe must decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.
There is danger for a solitary woman in this world, and Circe’s independence draws the wrath of men and gods alike.
And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home. But she will not always be alone many are destined to pass through Circe’s place of exile, entwining their fates with hers. There she learns to harness her occult craft, drawing strength from nature. When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, wrathful Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia.
Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born.
Trigger warnings: Attempted rape, animal death
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