Circe by Madeline Miller

4.5 (45)
$18.99

Product Details

Web ID: 14352400

"A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess's story," this #1 New York Times bestseller is "both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right" (Alexandra Alter, The New York Times). In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child - not powerful like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power - the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts, and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus. But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

  • Product Features

    • Madeline Miller (Author)
    • Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
    • Publication Date: 04-14-2020
    • Page Count: 416
    • Paperback
    • Adult
    • Fiction
    • Product Dimensions - 5.5 H x 8.2 W x 1.2 D
    • ISBN-13 - 9780316556323
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5/5

45 star ratings & reviews

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10 months ago
from Tuscaloosa AL

Exquisite retelling of classic story

I was familiar with parts of Circe's tale in myths but this brought her alive to me. It is well written and pulls you into the action around Circe. You feel the isolation when She is banished and understand her fascination with Odysseus. I loved how other mythical beings like Prometheus, Daedalus, Icarus and Medea are woven into the story. It is an engaging read I never would have picked up except it was my bookclub's selection. Highly recommended.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

12 months ago
from B&N Delray Beach

My Favorite Book of All Time - Circe

Circe by Madeline Miller is for me, a book that will I never stop revisiting and remembering. The themes and takeaways are something I think I will never forget. It is by far one of the best works in modern fiction we have today, let alone contemporary mythological writing. Without giving away too much, the book follows the title character, Circe, a minor villain from Homer's "Odyssey" who's life and story we only get a small glimpse into in the original epic. As one of the first depictions of a woman thriving on her own in western literature, she was of course instantly vilified and made out to be the evil witch most people who read the Odyssey boil her down to. However, Miller's writing ability and immaculate prose shows you the unabashedly independent and-- come to find out, traumatized-- daughter of the Greek god of the sun. As the story unfolds, you follow Circe as she comes into her own and comes to term with the "life" she was given and struggles with her mortality (or immortality, for that matter). An absolute must-read for anybody interested in Greek mythology, even in the slightest, or just anybody looking for a book that stays with you forever. As my favorite book of all time, I thoroughly hope you decide to get your hands on it as soon as you can, dive in, and learn about the unforgettable character of Circe.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from New York, NY

Circe: Impossible to put down the book!

Circe is a marvelous retelling of the ancient Greek mythological goddess of witchcraft. The book cast its own sort of spell onto the reader causing them to be so hooked that they loose track of time and reality. It is a must read for all who enjoy Greek Mythology!

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from New York

One of my all-time favorites

I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful this book was. I was iffy at first and thought it was just overly hyped up, but it really was an amazing book that I can re-read and keep close to my heart. Miller’s writing isn’t as atmospheric as I prefer, but she wrote such a fantastic character. Circe explores the experience of being a girl, a teenager, a woman, a daughter, a sister, a lover, a mother, a friend…in all of its complexities. She is a character that is forthright, dynamic, and powerful.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from DC Metro

Themes and quotes

Power and Control: The central theme of the book is the power dynamics between Circe and the gods, as well as Circe's journey towards reclaiming her own power and agency. "Power, I had learned, was like a river, always seeking the path of least resistance." Feminism: The novel explores the role of women in Ancient Greece and the challenges they faced in a patriarchal society. "But I was born of a different kind of woman, one who could not be tamed or broken." Identity and Transformation: Circe's journey towards self-discovery and the transformation of her identity are central to the novel. "I was no longer the child I had been, and I was not yet the woman I would become." Nature and Magic: The novel explores the connection between Circe and the natural world and how magic is intertwined with nature. "Nature was my magic, my refuge and my delight." Family and Relationships: The novel explores the relationships between Circe and her family, including her relationship with her mother, sister, and son. "Family is a cruel thing, a chain that binds and strangles."

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago

If "history" wasn't spelled "his story"

An incredibly well-told story told from the POV of a minor character from The Odyssey - a minor goddess, a female... A powerful, brave being in a world of more powerful, but more fearful beings, who exercise their fear and power on her, banishing her to an island, and then vilifying her for defending herself from the violence of men and caprices of gods. The story is solid, reminding us that every story has multiple sides. The reading experience will be richest for those already familiar with The Odyssey, but it's user-friendly enough that anyone can read it and still enjoy.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago
from Greensboro, NC

Read it homie!

The character development w Circe is fire. Honestly immediately you’ll be rooting for her. It’s worth the hype and is raw feminine strength emotions. You’ll like it I promise.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago

Good book if you understand greek mythology

I wanted to read it because I thought it was going to be full of adventure but Circe was mostly stuck in the island. I think this book is good for someone that has a basic understanding of Greek mythology. I had to read a lot of Greek mythology after putting the book down to understand things the book didn't explain. Also, the language was a little bit complicated for me to read, it got easier with time but I found myself getting lost/confused a few times to the point I had to reread certain pages and had to use the dictionary often. There were moments were the book got really interesting, and the language, although a bit confusing, I must admit was very beautiful and I wish I understood it more...

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com