“When I was born, the word for what I was did not exist.” Thus begins Madeline Miller’s newest novel Circe. It is a fantastic, spellbinding read.
Whether or not you love Greek mythology, Circe is, at its heart, the story of a strong woman forging her path in the world….she just happens to also be a goddess. Circe is the daughter of the Titan god of the sun, Helios, and nymph Perse. She is the oldest of three siblings: sister Pasiphaë (who was the wife of King Menos and mother of the Minotaur) and brothers Aeetes (the keeper of the Golden Fleece) and Perses. Circe spent most of her youth as the outcast of her family until she falls in love and uses powers no one knew she had (one of the things she does? Create Scylla the monster). So she is banished by Zeus with her father’s agreement, to the island of Aeaea where she will live a solitary life for hundreds of years.
Instead of wilting and succumbing to sadness, Circe does the opposite. She takes it upon herself to learn more of her witchcraft. She learns about plants and herbs. She makes potions. She perfects her magic. She befriends the wildlife. So that when her first visitors arrive, she is the “Witch Circe.” Her story touches on many Greek characters we already know: Daedalus, Medea, Odysseus, Penelope, and Telegonus. So, though you may know the outcome of all of these stories, in Miller’s hands they become nuanced and real.
Circe’s voice is lyrical and poetic through Miller’s writing. For instance: “But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth. Such a constellation was he to me.” I mean…those two sentences are perfect and instantly conjure up an emotion the reader can feel. Miller’s vivid descriptions make the familiar characters jump off the page. Daedalus becomes more than Icarus’s father; he is a loving, hardworking, genius of a man. Medea’s crazed destiny stems from a cruel upbringing thanks to her father, Circe’s brother Aeetes. Penelope, who does not get her fair due in Homer’s The Odyssey, flowers on Circe’s island.
Circe herself is the female protagonist that all young (and old) women should know. Like us all, she starts out unsure of herself and her place in the world. When everyone around her burns brightly, she nurtures a small flame. Her sense of empathy is what sets her apart from the unfeeling, selfish Greek gods, goddesses, and deities. She deals with misogyny, rape, and shaming based on her looks. When she finds her own power, she finds the self-confidence and determination that allow her to live the life that she wants to. You will applaud her (and want to hug her) by the end of her story.
In short, Circe is an absolute must-read and a book that will live on our shelves for years to come.
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