Big Books of Spring
Circe

Questions About Circe

by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (120)

Are there rape scenes in this book? If so, are they graphic? Please help.
Judy Lindow
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Is this a stand-alone? Or a sequel to Song of Achilles?
Mian technically all greek myth stories are interconnected but you can read this without having read SoA, kinda like how you can watch thor ragnarok withou…moretechnically all greek myth stories are interconnected but you can read this without having read SoA, kinda like how you can watch thor ragnarok without having seen iron man 3. (less)
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Claire Zechiel I think the spell is supposed to transform her into a mortal. However, because the book ended without truly knowing if the spell succeeded or not, it …moreI think the spell is supposed to transform her into a mortal. However, because the book ended without truly knowing if the spell succeeded or not, it is up to the reader to decide whether the visions that Circe saw are really going to happen or if the spell isn't going to work (or maybe even backfire). I choose to believe that the spell will work and she will live out the rest of her life with Telemachus. :)(less)
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I know this has be touted as a feminist story, but is it hostile to men like some feminist literature tends to be? I totally understand there will be horrible men in this, because greek mythology is full of those, but I don't want to be demonized while reading it. Thanks for any answers.
Ceecee What makes Circe a feminist story is the fact that it is a woman's story from beginning to end. Circe is the protagonist and the focus of the novel; m…moreWhat makes Circe a feminist story is the fact that it is a woman's story from beginning to end. Circe is the protagonist and the focus of the novel; men pass in and out of her life, but they never take over the action or divert attention from her. There are some who behave badly (we find out that she has very good reasons for turning them into pigs), but they are very minor characters, soon gone and forgotten. The few men Circe allows into her heart--Daedalus, Odysseus, and later his son Telemachus--are good men, and portrayed sympathetically. (Some of the male gods are complete jerks, but then so are some of the goddesses; that's because they are immortal, and different from us puny humans.Miller does an excellent job of showing just how different they are, in my opinion.)
Bottom line, if you're a man reading this book, you won't feel scapegoated or blamed for being male--but be prepared to spend a lot of time concerned with women's work, like weaving and gardening and brewing herbal remedies. If you can handle the female focus and the lack of traditional "action scenes", then you will enjoy yourself. (less)
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Has anyone heard the audiobook? It's read by Perdita Weeks, who performed marvelously. The audiobook version was chosen as a best of the year by Audiofile, and won an Earphones award. As an audiobook reviewer, and admin in the Magnum PI Reboot Facebook Group, I look forward to another reading by Perdita in May.
Jean I am listening to the Perdita Weeks audio of Circe and am absolutely smitten by her reading. Will try to track down more of her narrations.
…moreI am listening to the Perdita Weeks audio of Circe and am absolutely smitten by her reading. Will try to track down more of her narrations.
(less)
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