Rating: 9.5/10
I have to say, that this is another audiobook that I went into without any real expectations. I hadn't read anything from Madeline Miller in the past. I have somewhat read the Odyssey years ago, but I didn't particularly remember too much about it. However, I'm always up to hear about the Greek Gods' nonsense, pretty much anytime. This story really delivered that and more. The narrator did an amazing job as well. Her diction and the voices she gave the characters was just perfect. I was blown away by her performance. A word of warning though, if you don't care much for Greek Literature or Greek Mythology on its' own, then you won't care for this. You also won't care for this unless you love stories that are meant to be mainly exposition. This story does not begin with the Odyssey, that part isn't even in the book until about halfway through. This is meant to be a background story for the witch Circe. If you go into this looking for a retelling of the Odyssey, you will be disappointed.
Saying that Circe is a story that tells of the life and background for the witch Circe from the Odyssey, really covers all of the summary. It starts with her birth and the story ends some odd centuries after. It really helps if you know not of the Gods of Olympus, but of the Greek Titans. Circe is the daughter of the Titan Helios, the Titans are different from the Olympic Gods (Athena, Zeus, Apollo, etc.). There is a wonderful mixture of Greek Myths combined with Greek Literature. This story mentions the Odyssey (of course), Medea, the story of Icarus, Oedipus (in passing), the Iliad, etc. It was super interesting to see how Miller wove the different tales throughout. Seeing the different characters put into this story and doing things related to the plots of their own stories was engaging. When a famous name from Greek Literature would be mentioned, my ears would always prick up. It was always interesting to see how their actions in Circe would ultimately play into the plots of their own stories. Miller just did an excellent job with it, I was so impressed with her creativity and ability to include so much rich history. It's more like a retelling of many different works of Greek Literature and myth (not just the Odyssey), combined to form one amazing story.
Miller's writing style was so complex and yet it was easy to digest. It was intricate without being weighty. She had a real historical tone, but it was not incredibly heavy as actual Classical works can be. This really allowed the reader to be immersed in the story. Nothing gets under my skin faster than a work that is set in historical times, but the characters have a modern kind of dialect. Or when the author has a modern tone in their writing, despite the story being based in the 1600s. This felt like the perfect tone for the story. The way that Miller wrote of Circe herself was also amazing. The character was not perfect, which is good because the Greek Gods and Goddesses never are. The inclusion of flawed characteristics felt very essential to the story. The Gods and Goddesses always have some kind of big fault (mainly jealousy and vengeance). Circe's biggest fault was really her cowardice. Pasiphaë, even though she was an awful terror, really said it best.
"It is funny," she said, "that after all this time you still believe you should be rewarded, just because you have been obedient. I thought you would have learned that lesson in our father's halls. None shrank and simpered as you did and yet great Helios stepped on you all the faster, because you were already crouched at his feet." She was leaning forward, her golden hair loose, embroidering the sheets around her. "Let me tell you a truth about Helios and all the rest, they do not care if you are good, they barely care if you are wicked. The only thing that makes them listen, is power."
Her sister (despite her cruelty) really understood what Circe never could, that pleading and placating the Gods was never the way to get their attention. It is because of this, that honestly nothing ever felt as though it worked out in Circe's favor. She was constantly being stepped on, and treated cruelly. Nobody seemed to care either. Luckily, Miller included some amazing character development for Circe. She would not stay pushed down into the dirt for all of eternity. All it took was the right incentive for her to understand whom she must become.
"I saw how you would not be ground into the earth. You loathed them as I did. I think it's where our power comes from." (Pasiphaë again)
I have no real complaints about the book, other than the fact that it may have begun to drag a bit near the end. I believe that it was around the portion where Telemachus and Penelope make their debut. It felt a little slow until Circe really made her stand against her father (and also the sad part with Athena that I'm not emotionally able to get into right now). This wasn't much of the book, only for a chapter or so, but it felt kind of meh. The rest of the book, however, was just amazing. I just wanted it to go on forever. The rich descriptions included throughout of the characters, the halls of the Gods, and even the characters clothing felt quintessential. Every detail put into the book felt careful and deliberate. There is no doubt in my mind that a ton of time and research went into the creation of this book, it was so well-informed. It felt like I was not only enjoying a work of fiction, but like I was also learning a lot about Greek Mythology and Literature along the way. I don't think you really need any background in Classics at all to enjoy this. She does such an amazing job incorporating them into the story as a whole, that the reader is able to get a feel for them. Of course, I think having some kind of background in the Classics also makes the story more enjoyable. The ending of the book is similar to that of actual literature, regarding Penelope and Telemachus, but there is also a big change. Perhaps not a question of immortality, but of mortality.
Overall, this book is not one to miss. If you enjoy reading about Greek culture and Mythology, Circe should be put right at the top of your list. It is engaging, informational, and above all, it is super interesting. I love a good backstory, and this book does an amazing job of it. Even if you don't know much about Greek Literature or Mythology, this book is still amazing. If you like an action-filled tale with witches, warriors, frightening and fantastic creatures, Gods, and quite a bit of emotion sprinkled in, Circe still holds up. This is one of my favorites for 2020, no question. Madeline Miller has quickly become a favorite author for me. I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next. I'm hoping that she tackles the myth of Hades and Persephone. I would kill to read it, especially in Miller's tone.