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A Review of Circe by Madeline Miller

 



Madeline Miller’s Circe is a feminist reimagining of the life of the exiled witch from Greek mythology. Born to Helios, god of the sun, Circe is dismissed as strange and powerless—until she discovers her gift for witchcraft. Banished to a remote island, she comes into her strength, crosses paths with gods and mortals alike, and ultimately chooses her own fate in a world that tries to define her. It’s a story of solitude, transformation, and the power of becoming.


I’ve had Circe on my TBR list for so long that I wasn’t sure I’d ever get around to reading it, but a recent eight-hour train ride gave me the perfect opportunity—and I’m so glad it did. I truly enjoyed this book. I’ve always loved Greek mythology, but I had never read anything focused on Circe herself, so it was fascinating to learn about her story. I even found myself going down a rabbit hole of research afterward. What resonated most with me was her journey of self-discovery. Watching her come into her power, often in solitude and against impossible odds, was both empowering and moving.

"Your wife sounds like a clever woman." "She is. I cannot account for the fact that she married me, but since it is to my benefit, I try not to bring it to her attention."

One aspect I found especially interesting was reading about Odysseus. I remembered watching the 1997 Odyssey miniseries as a teen and admiring him as a great hero. Since I haven’t read The Iliad or The Odyssey, that version stuck with me. Reading Circe offered a much more nuanced, complex portrayal—it was refreshing to see him through a different lens and realize he wasn’t the flawless hero I once imagined.

Overall, this was a five-star read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, Greek mythology, and stories about women stepping into their own strength.

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