Bookseller Reviews
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A masterful retelling
Madeline Miller has turned one of the Greek Myths' darkest characters into a heroine for the modern day.
In this would be biography, Miller follows Circe,... READ MORE
I loved this, it'll probably be my favourite read of 2019
I've never studied classics, just always had a vague interest in mythology, so I was only aware of the Circe character from 'The Odyssey' and from the pain... READ MORE
So good!
I really, really enjoyed reading this!
I went into this pretty much completely blind as I know nothing (Jon Snow) about Greek Mythology. The first quarter-... READ MORE
Truly magical in so many ways
The one that made me feel like a child again.
Do you remember when you were a child reading a book and you would get so immersed in the setting and the wor... READ MORE
Brilliant twist on the tale of Circe
Loved this book and the strong female lead, the story was engaging and I couldn't put it down. Wish it had been longer!
Perfect for the grown-up Percy Jackson kids
As should have been expected after reading The Song of Achilles due to the huge amounts of praise that it has received recently, Circe is one of the best b... READ MORE
A solid read
I gave this book 3.5 stars as for me, it did not reach the same levels of the song of Achilles. I think I did have very high expectations of Circe, because... READ MORE
Beautifully written
Thanks to this amazing book I’m now reading every Greek retelling I can get my hands on.
Circe was a name I had not heard before; it is now one I certainly will not forget.
This was an immersive and alluring tale, I fell in love with Circe’s story, exploring the highlights of her life, as well as her trials and tribulations; I... READ MORE
Story telling at its best
I was very late to reading this and never understood why, I had it on my bookshelf from the moment it came out in paperback as I’d loved Song of Achilles s... READ MORE
My favourite read in 2021
Madeline Miller is undoubtedly one of the best authors of the 21st century and Circe is no exception. It is a beautiful story of femininity, power, and myt... READ MORE
Fear and the Gods
I worried when I picked up this book that I would be overwhelmed and drowning in the endless names of Gods and Nymphs, having no idea who was who. However ... READ MORE
Synopsis
Waterstones Fiction Book of the Month for April 2019
Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2019
Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2018
When I was born, the name for what I was did not exist.
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. Yet, in the golden halls of gods and nymphs, Circe stands apart, as something separate, something new. With neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and scorned and rejected by her kin Circe is increasingly isolated. Turning to mortals for companionship, she risks defying her father for love, a path that leads her not to the marriage bed but to a discovery of a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft.
Banished by Zeus to the remote island of Aiaia, Circe refines her craft, fate entwining her with legends: the messenger god, Hermes. The craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece. And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home. As her power increases and her knowledge grows, so Circe must make the ultimate choice: to decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.
A source of fascination for ancient writers from Homer to Ovid, Circe is a character whose story is steeped in magic and mystery. Caught up in the story of heroes, she is a figure apart, a player in the lives of heroes and gods but one who has never commanded her own story, until now.
From the imaginative power that summoned Orange Prize-winning global bestseller The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller returns with an electrifying take on Greek Myth’s most misunderstood deity. From her tale Miller spins a story of antiquity’s wildest rebel girl, a sun-god’s daughter with a human heart. One of Waterstones’ choices for our Best Books to Look Out for in April, booksellers and customers alike have been swept up by this moving, exuberant novel, translating the male-centred fantasies of myth into something startlingly feminine, real and awake.
"Circe has really set the standard for fiction publishing this year, both in terms of Miller’s exquisite writing and Bloomsbury’s beautiful production values. Miller has breathed new life into the Greek myths, putting a welcome feminist spin on old narratives: it is a thoroughly modern and pertinent retelling by a master storyteller." – Bea Carvalho, Waterstones Fiction Buyer
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- ISBN: 9781408890042
- Number of pages: 352
- Weight: 240g
- Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
Customer Reviews
View allStunning
Beautiful story telling, she really makes it seem you can feel the nature and surroundings of the story, you feel as if you are there. The narrative is fla... READ MORE
Fierce Femme Goddess
I really enjoyed not only the narrative but the strong feminist story line. I was told being familiar with the myths wasn't necessary but I would beg to di... READ MORE
Alexandra Cassley
I loved this book! When I first started reading it I wasn't too sure how it was going to go, but the more I read the more immersed I became.
A brilliant ... READ MORE
Beautiful book and story within
I could hardly put this down!
♡
I have always had a love for Greek Mythology, so I was very excited to read this!
This book gave me cottagecore / witchcore vibes and I loved it! It wa... READ MORE
Stunning, beautifully written with a very layered main character
I adored the feminist feel of this book. I know it's mentioned in other reviews, and in a way that influenced me to paying more attention to it but.. the t... READ MORE
A million star read
As many stars as their are in the sky is how many I'd give to this if I could.
A completely absorbing and brutally beautiful book that will stay with me f... READ MORE
Beautifully poetic!
Circe is beautifully written book that outlines the hardships of embracing who you are whilst also impacting the lives of others along the way. Miller has ... READ MORE
Incredible and unforgettable
This is one of those books I wish would never end. I just want to keep reading about Circe forever and ever, and ever. Madeline Miller is an extraordinary ... READ MORE
Definitely the best book I have ever read
I used to absolutely love reading but in the past few years I had fell into a slump of reading a few bad books and giving up, so when I got Circe as a gift... READ MORE
Stunning retelling of a story I didn’t know
Circe is a stunningly written retelling of a story that I didn’t know; I knew small parts about Circe and her powers from other fiction but not about her s... READ MORE
Enchanting
I really enjoyed reading this book and often found it hard to put down! It is so well written and the characters are excellent. I would recommend!
empowering witchcraft
Beautiful written book, I love the description of scenery, action and (my favorite) the way witchcraft is desccribe. The flow of energy and nature surround... READ MORE
Perfect escapism
A little long in places but overall loved it. Lovely to come to after a stressful day and was so different from fiction I usually read
Wonderful book
You get lost in it as soon as you pick it up
Circe, by Madeline Miller
Basically, this is a romp through Greek and Roman mythology, seen from the point of view of Circe, the powerful witch of Aiaia. Circe was the daughter of... READ MORE
Phenomenal
What a book! Couldn't put it done.
Gripping
Gripping to begin with, but boring towards the end.
Best book of 2019
This was by far the best book I read in 2019. I have bought three copies now to give to friends and family. Highly recommend!
5 stars
I don't why I haven't read this book earlier it has all the ingredients I love. So what took me so long? Honestly I think I was intimidated by it, I love G... READ MORE
Not for me
I bought this book based on the 5 star reviews from so many people but it just wasn’t for me. I was hoping to be captured by the story right from the begin... READ MORE
Simply Beautiful
I really admire Miller's characterisation with her novels. She takes a story that most of her readers would know (from The Odyssey) and shows it to us from... READ MORE
Read again
This book is brilliant I love learning about Greek mahology it is so interesting I am only 13 and love to read so I would definitely read this book!?
Absolutely incredible!!
Wow. That’s really all I can say to be honest! Miller’s writing through the character of Circe and the description of the world around her was stunning. I ... READ MORE
Excellent
First book in a long while that I struggled to put down.
brilliant
as a lover of greek mythology i was sceptic how good this would be but this book was brilliant from start to finish, wouldn’t expect anything less from the... READ MORE
Great!
Its a lovely book and a nice revisit to greek mythology! I could like together past and previous greek myths I knew about and it made me feel more for the ... READ MORE
Incredible book
Circe is an incredible feminist novel. Circe's story has had a fair few retellings but Miller has stuck relatively close to Homer's version, however some c... READ MORE
a good read
i read this book after loving the song of achilles, and if i’m honest it’s a little overhyped but it was definitely interesting.
Queen Circe
My favourite thus far from Miller. I think this is (hot take) better than anything else Miller has written; the character of Circe is fleshed out so strong... READ MORE
Mythical
I had left this book languishing on a bookshelf for far too long and am so glad I finally got round to reading it. Madeline has artfully retold the story o... READ MORE
Gorgeous!!!
I felt that everything about this novel was utterly gorgeous... The writing, the concept, the characters... I really fell into the world; I felt that Mille... READ MORE
One of my favourites
I could not stop reading this. I love Madeline Millers writing, it’s so immersive and she brings these myths and legends to life. After reading this (which... READ MORE
Absolutely loved it
Moving and beautiful.
Odyssey from the female perspective
Retelling of the Greek myths through a daughter of who was exiled and accused of being a witch,which she was.Being a goddess she never aged and had many pa... READ MORE
Best book I’ve read in ages!
This is a wonderful retelling of the myth of Circe of Aiaia. I’ve only ever heard the same tale as most people, her dealings with Medea and turning Odysseu... READ MORE
Addictingly Stunning
Circe- written by Madeline Miller - is a stunning story about a strong woman through her journey from the halls of Helios, to her witch island. Throughout ... READ MORE
Amazing
Much like her first book the song of achilles, Circe has been so beautifully written, and I cannot recommend it enough
Best book I've ever read
To put it simply, this is by far the best book I have ever read. I read all of this in almost a day and had to take a break because I didn't want it to end... READ MORE
Ticks all the boxes
A throughly enjoyable read - well written and structured, in accessible language and style, with great description and storytelling. 10/10
A good read
Don’t mistake the 3/5 stars for a ‘don’t read’ - personally I love the way MM writes and she’s a wonderful storyteller - Song of Achilles is my fave book o... READ MORE
beautifully written
I was so in love with this book I read it in about 5
days. So beautifully written and it explores some really deep topics such as morality, motherhood and ... READ MORE
A really engaging read
This was an absolutely brilliant read. It was so well written while bringing life to greek mythology. A truly amazing read.
Helped me get back into reading
Decided to try reading a book after years of wanting to and not finding the motivation/time to and I chose this book recently. I'm so happy I did, Circe is... READ MORE
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