This novel brings the age of Odysseus to life through the lens of Circe. She has to fight tradition and sexism as she searches for her true self.

One of the most interesting and well-written book I’ve read in years.

A great story that weaves scholarship and intrigue into a compelling read

After watching the Odyssey, I stumbled upon this gem. Christopher Nolan’s storyline dominated my thoughts and this book is no less a masterpiece.

★★★★☆ I just finished Circe, and while I enjoyed it, it wasn’t quite what I expected. I went in hoping for a fierce, take-no-prisoners heroine, but instead found a quieter story centered on identity, loneliness, and choosing your own path. The writing is beautiful, and Madeline Miller has a gift for making Greek mythology feel accessible and deeply human. I especially appreciated how the novel explores the idea that immortality doesn’t necessarily lead to wisdom or growth. For me, Circe herself never became the bold, fiery character I was hoping for, which kept this from being a five-star read. Still, it was thought-provoking, emotionally rich, and gave me a new appreciation for Greek mythology.

This was tough for me to rate because it took me FOREVER to get through it, but I did wind up enjoying it. It’s not something I would normally read but I’m really glad I did, because through all the confusing lore of Greek mythology, there is an extremely well told story waiting on the other side.

This started off a little slow, as most books, and didn’t hook me at all. So much so that I put it down for almost 2 years. Well, I randomly picked it up and could not put it down for two days until I finished it! This is definitely worth the read if you appreciate Greek mythology at all. The author writes beautifully and wove a beautiful web of characters, lore, and plot!

I found the start very slow, but it does get better and tells a great story

I started reading with some interest in Greek mythology. I finished with tears shed for a remarkably human saga. Loved it.

What struck me most is how evocative the writing is, while at the same time being economical with words. Each chapter had at least one sentence that pierced me with how perfectly it was put, and how it would have taken other authors a paragraph to convey the same thought. The language is simple and easy to read, but the craft is impressive. She takes the old stories of the gods and gives them such simple context that you understand them in a new light. She breathes life into them. It was captivating!