Madeline Miller’s books have been on my TBR for so long, I have built them up so much in my head that it’s debatable whether or not the books could ever match my expectations. The Song of Achilles is one I get recommended more, but I decided to start with Circe, since I have that one as a physical copy. I adore Greek mythology, and I love its reinvention in various forms, so I was really excited to see a feminist take on Circe’s story. Circe is generally a character from Greek myths that I quite enjoy (I love a witch) so I was sure I was going to love this one. But I gotta say – was not my favorite thing in the world.
“Humbling women seems to me a chief pastime of poets. As if there can be no story unless we crawl and weep.”
the writing is beautiful and competent, but…
If you are someone who loves and looks for very beautiful, almost poetic writing in your books, look no further. Madeline Miller knows her way with words and I think that her prose is really stunning. Moreover, I found her writing to be really competent, and I felt like she truly accomplished what she set out to do. However, I am not really the audience for it. I am not that obsessed with great prose in general, especially when it turns the story slow and makes it hyper focused on the way it is told, rather than what is told. I think Circe’s arc in here is really well executed and I think that Miller gives us this fully rounded arc of a character, but I just found this to be really slow and boring overall, especially in the first half. This book could have easily been a lot shorter and more condensed and it still would have accomplished it goal, in a more impactful manner in my opinion.
circe is a great character, but…
Circe is a really great character. She felt real and I could relate to her and that’s all good. However, I did not find myself particularly attached to her and more importantly, I got exactly what it says on the box. Meaning that this promises a feminist retelling and it gives a feminist retelling, but I don’t think it goes beyond that. I don’t know if that makes sense, but I really wanted this book to give me a really nuanced and layered portrayal of Circe’s character and I don’t really think that was the case. She was great and I enjoyed all the ways myths about her were explored and reimagined, but I just did not love anything about it. I did not find it revolutionary in any shape or form and while I recognize that’s not what this book sets out to do, I just wish it dug a little deeper and tried to bring a bit more nuance and versatility in the way it retold the story of Circe.
greatest ending ever
Circe has one of the best endings I ever read. It was such a good well-rounded, thought out ending, so I have to give it credit. It really partly redeemed the book for me. And I can read Greek myths in any shape or form so this was not really a total miss for me, I just expected so much more.
Like I said, I expected more from this, and I really was mostly bored, but I still think this is a really well written novel, that does what it sets out to do. Plus, it’s Greek mythology and it had a fantastic ending, so I cannot complain.
I would love to hear from you! Tell me if you have read this and what were your thoughts. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
In the meantime, happy reading
Come hang out with me:
Follow me on Bloglovin’ | Goodreads |Facebook| Tumblr| Twitter | Instagram|Pinterest
I felt exactly the same way about this book!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am glad I am not alone in my indifference!
LikeLiked by 1 person
See, I can’t stand those books that hold such promise, and then just flop. Thanks for your honest opinion though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, it really is a shame!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah…
LikeLike
I’m with you on this one! It was… fine? But I thought it was pretty bland and offered nothing new to the myth retelling genre ☕️
LikeLiked by 1 person
EXACTLY! Like it’s not a bad book but it just did not bring anything new to the table
LikeLiked by 1 person
Circe is what I describe as “literary fantasy”. I doesn’t like the sort of fantasy that gives you all the drama and thrills and surprises. It’s just a quiet, slow story with a main theme (in this case, I suppose that would be feminism). I have to be reaaaally in the mood for that kind of fantasy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually quite like literary fantasy, as long as the character work is really good, but I just wasn’t that blown away with the character exploration in this one!
LikeLike
I too appreciate your honest review. I’ve heard great and bad things about this book, ultimately deciding for myself that I’m not interested in reading it. Your review is well-rounded, making such a decision easier for readers such as myself. As a reader and writer I can certainly appreciate craft but I too am more interested in the story and don’t care for when prose slows things down A LOT. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, this is my shocked face, I thought her character was really well done. I was looking after a new born at the time though and really enjoyed her struggles!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I am really glad you enjoyed the book and her character! Circe is a great character, I just wanted a lot more from her and the story as a whole. Glad you found that!
LikeLike
When I read it the book was HYPED everywhere and I wanted to see what it was about. And since I love Greek mythology it wasn’t too much out of my comfort zone. In the end I wasn’t wowed by it either, but thanks to the audiobook I got through it fairly quickly. But I still don’t get the hype.
~ Corina | TheBrownEyedBookworm.com
LikeLike
Great review! I agree, I ended up quite disappointed in this box, I expected much more from it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yeah, it was a bit of a letdown!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been putting off reading this because I think it’s going to be so boring lol I’m like you, I’m not particularly obsessed with the prose. I might just unhaul this one, or get the audiobook lol
LikeLike
Ooh, great review! I felt pretty much exactly the same- loved the ending, and appreciated the attempt, but was just not drawn into the story throughout most of the book. I did go on to read The Song of Achilles afterward though and had much better luck (though it’s still not a perfect read). I hope if you end up reading more of her work it will suit you better too!
LikeLike
This book is mediocre as hell and YOU SHOULD SAY IT.
LikeLiked by 2 people
RIGHT. Sorry to the book and everyone who loves it, but it was so average!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read her The Song of Achilles had the same thoughts about that book. I personally did not like her writing either. It’s downright bland. The Song of Achilles itself was an underwhelming book. After that, I didn’t pick any of her books. Someone did recommend me Circe, but I’m not planning to read it. One book from the author was enough.
LikeLike