Circe by Madeline Miller Book Review

Title: Circe
Author: Madeline Miller
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Mythological Fiction, Fantasy
Year of Publication: 2018
Date of Publication: April 10, 2018
Pages: 393
ISBN-10: 0316556343
ISBN-13: 978-0316556347

**Summary of Circe by Madeline Miller**

Circe tells a different point of view of a character from Greek mythology, the daughter of the sun god Helios. The story follows her family dynamics and how she struggles to find her place among gods and mortals.

Throughout the book, she is mistreated by many people close to her including her brother and father. Eventually, she discovers her talent for witchcraft. Consequently, she is exiled to the island of Aiaia, where she hones her powers and interacts with famous mythological figures like Odysseus, Hermes, and Medea.

Throughout her exile, Circe transforms from a lonely, misunderstood woman into a powerful, independent sorceress. Her journey to self-discovery is filled with challenges, as she confronts gods, monsters, and her own inner strength.

Main Plot & Characters

Circe – Daughter of the Titan Helios and the nymph Perse, she is a witch exiled to the island of Aiaia, where she develops her powers in solitude.
Helios – The Titan god of the sun and Circe’s father.
Perse – Circe’s mother, an Oceanid (sea nymph).
Aeëtes – Circe’s brother, king of Colchis, and keeper of the Golden Fleece.
Pasiphaë – Circe’s sister, queen of Crete, and mother of the Minotaur.
Perses – Circe’s cruel brother.
Oceanos – Perse’s father and Circe’s grandfather.
Zeus – King of the gods, whose wrath indirectly leads to Circe’s exile.
Hermes – The trickster god who often visits Circe on Aiaia and becomes her lover for a time.
Athena – Goddess of wisdom, who opposes Circe later in the story.
Glaucus – A mortal fisherman transformed into a sea god by Circe’s magic, but who later rejects her.
Scylla – A nymph transformed by Circe’s spell (out of jealousy) into a sea monster.
Daedalus – The legendary craftsman and inventor, who befriends Circe while serving Pasiphaë.
Minotaur – Pasiphaë’s monstrous son, tied to Crete’s myths.
Medea – Circe’s niece, daughter of Aeëtes, a powerful sorceress known for aiding Jason.
Jason – Leader of the Argonauts, associated with Medea.
Odysseus – The Greek hero who comes to Circe’s island during his journey home from Troy; they become lovers.
Telemachus – Son of Odysseus and Penelope, who later visits Circe.
Penelope – Wife of Odysseus, who also eventually finds her way to Circe’s island.
Lampetia and Phaethousa – Circe’s half-sisters.
Prometheus – One of Circe’s uncles who was to be punished. He was sent to live in the underworld’s deepest pit until it was time for this punishment.

Writing Style

Miller uses first-person narration to give Circe’s story an intimate tone. The novel allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the mythological world. Additionally, Miller weaves ancient myths into a modern narrative, making the characters and their struggles feel timeless.

Memorable Quotes

But the grudges of gods are as deathless as their flesh, and on feast nights my uncles gathered close at my father’s side.”— Circe’s reflections

Final Thoughts on Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe is a character driven book. It inspires readers to revisit ancient myths with renewed perspective.

What are your thoughts on this book? Have you had a chance to read it? Let us know in the comments!

Author

Nathaniel Adebayo
Nathaniel is a Media Content Specialist at Verayea, where he specializes in curating content and gathering data for the company’s extensive book library. He is also dedicated to writing insightful reviews, offering thoughtful perspectives on a range of media. His work ensures that Verayea’s library is comprehensive, well-organized, and informative, providing valuable resources for its audience.