Book Review: Circe

I just finished reading Circe by Madeline Miller for my book club, and I loved it. I was mildly concerned it wouldn't live up to my expectations after The Song of Achilles, but it very much did. Both are written as stand alones, but Circe chronologically comes after Achilles. Song of Achilles tells the story of the Illiad, whereas Circe tells the story of the Odyssey. Odysseus features in both, but most of the other characters from Achilles feature in Circe only by mention or in passing.

Circe tells the story of one of the "monsters" Odysseus meets in his journey home following the Trojan war, form the "monster's" perspective. We follow the witch Circe from her childhood as the goddess daughter of Helios through to her encounters with Odysseus and onward.

I want to avoid spoilers here, so I'll tread carefully. The story goes a long way toward explaining why Circe acted as she did and making her a sympathetic - yet clearly imperfect - character. Miller has a really fascinating way of portraying the gods; at one point in Circe she describes them as being like children, as I recall. She clearly wants the reader to see them as imperfect - even petty - characters. The interactions between Circe and the other gods - and between the other gods themselves - is fascinating. Miller clearly wants us to see that there is a downside to immortality.

Circe, Wright Barker, 1889

Incidentally, Miller has a great website that serves as a companion to her books with a glossary and images of Circe. I definitely recommend checking it out if you're interested in more information on the characters in her novels.

Without giving anything  away, I must say I really loved the ending of Circe. While Miller leaves it somewhat ambiguous, it really fits the Circe she has created for the reader. It really rings true to the Circe we've come to know by the end. In addition, just as with Song of Achilles, Miller really has a way with words. Her imagery is just captivating and the characters she creates are so.... immediate and real, for lack of a better way to describe it.

I cannot speak to how well this cleaves to the original source material, as I only read portions of the Odyssey in college several years ago. I know, I know, this is embarrassing. However, I can say that these more accessible versions of the stories in the Illiad and the Odyssey might be a great way to introduce more reluctant readers to Greek mythology.

Overall, definitely one I'd recommend adding to your reading list if you enjoy either historical fiction or fantasy.