BusyBee's Group Read discussion

[Purvika]

Genre : mythology.

Book : Circe
Cover :

[❄️ Propertea Of Frostea ❄️ Bitter SnoBerry ❄]

I just finished the first chapter. I like the narrative, it's neither too dry nor uninteresting.
Laughed at this quote “Father,” I said that day, “are we late enough to kill astronomers?”

[Damini]

Do we discuss while reading or when everyone completes reading?

[Purvika]

Discuss as you progress. So that those who finishes, comes here and add their thoughts too.

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

I will start next week..

[~~Poulomi Sylphrena Tonk$~~]

Finished the first two chapters.
Is it weird that everytime I hear the words, Titans, I tend to think of Wonder Woman? 😐

Liked the start, good to see Circe learning the ways of the world.


"...All my life had been murk and depths, but I was not a part of that dark water. I was a creature within it..."

[Ishi]

Before even beginning, I'd like to say that I absolutely love the cover art. It's perfect in so many ways. The shades and the design seem to reflect words like "ancient" and "mystical" to me. As someone who has read quite a bit about Greek Mythology, I'm really interested in finding out how this retelling will go about!
So yeah, very excited about this :D

[Ishi]

Chapter 1 Reflections
(view spoiler)[ Helios' behaviour confuses me. At Force's birth, he didn't take the child for much, not beautiful enough. Yet his fondness towards her grew, perhaps because of how she was always at his feet, always with him when she could be. She even got the honour of riding with him in his chairot.
Despite this all, he never pays any attention to the taunts and jibes hurtled towards Circe.
The hurtful words great so much that she had started "...believing those dull miseries were all there was, until the end of days."

Why did Helios never notice this? He cared for her, that's obvious. Maybe it could be because he's so absorbed in himself that he never noticed what his daughter really felt? Maybe something else?

What do y'all think? (hide spoiler)]

[~~Poulomi Sylphrena Tonk$~~]

(view spoiler)[I think being the Sun God, he is more inclined towards other godly matters rather than affection or fondness. Also, he puts much more emphasis on the upbringing of his sons, because of their future prospects of being a heir to his throne.
But he does seem to have a bias towards everything that belongs to him; even any speck of hurt on his animals doesn't go really well with him. Maybe that's why the chariot ride? After all, she is his blood.
In all other ways, I find him quite unfeeling. (hide spoiler)]

[Damini]

(view spoiler)[ I agree with Polo. Helios is portrayed as a rather whimsical character. He is simply indifferent towards Circe most of the times because being a God, he has several other things to tend to, but he is not unkind to her. Besides, all the time Circe spent sitting at his feet earned her some affection, I guess; hence the chariot ride.

I actually find Perse's attitude towards Circe more disturbing, Circe, after all, is her own child.

Also, are you guys familiar with Prometheus' actual story? (hide spoiler)]

[~~Poulomi Sylphrena Tonk$~~]

Vinny- This is my first Greek Mythology book, so no idea about Prometheus.
(view spoiler)[Just know that he associated himself with some mortal, though nothing specific hinted so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Purvika]

OMG I am loving it so much as of now.
Reading Greek mythology after such a long time. It's like I'm meeting an old friend of mine. Tysm Liz for this book

[Purvika]

Now, let me check all the updates as I have read 4 chapters... And it was a task to close the reader and come here... I just will updates soon go back to my Circe.

[Purvika]

Ishi wrote: "Chapter 1 Reflections
(view spoiler)[ I think you're taking too much consideration for his warmth towards Circe. He is fond of her not as a daughter but just someone he bred. He have thousands of offsprings, I don't think k he would value Circe among all of them just because she sat at his feet all the time. He's Helios after all, he doesn't need such admiration to fire his arrogance or confidence. He just let her be without a second thought. More like her presence doesn't matter to him. That's what I think so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Purvika]

@ Damini. I have read about it. It was in my syllabus xD when I was in middle school. The story about a Greek God who gave fire to the mankind and how zeus felt it like. Betrayal. And what mentioned in the book is not far from what I already know about it.

[Ishi]

@vins: (view spoiler)[yep, I know all about it B)
Prometheus and his brother (something from E) were given the task of fashioning the beings who'll inhabit earth. They were given dozens of gifts to use for all the creatures. E took the responsibility of animals, and Prometheus got mankind. Prometheus got so engrossed in shaping out the first men out of clay, that he didn't realise his brother had used up all the gifts already. So he asked Zeus to let him bestow the gift of fire to mankind, to which he refused. Yet Prometheus stole it and took it to mortals.
The fire helped mankind make leaps. They learnt so much from it. And the fear of that happening was exactly why he hadn't allowed Prometheus to give it to mankind.
So as a punishment, Zeus had Prometheus chained to a rock, where a Raven (or was it avulture? Eagle? Hawk? Something) would come and eat out his liver. Because Prometheus was a Titan, he couldn't die, so he'd naturally heal, and the next day, the bird would come again. This was his punishment for all eternity.

This stealing of fire is also linked to another story which talks about how the Mankind was punished for getting the gift of fire, the first Woman, and the evils of the world. (hide spoiler)]

BWHAWAHAHAH I love Greek mythology.

[Ishi]

@purv,poli,vins: (view spoiler)[ yep, I guess you're all right about me hoping Helios to be too fatherly. He's a Titan afterall.
And yep, Perse's (the mother, not sure of spelling) attitude is more shameful. But she's been described as cunning since the beginning and as someone who's always been hungry for power. Always looking for a way to step up her position even more. Because Circe couldn't be of any help to her for that, she probably thought she wasn't useful. Logical, I guess, but cold-hearted. (hide spoiler)]

[Ishi]

Chapter 2 Reflections

(view spoiler)[ Circe's wisdom really astonishes me. At such a young age (for an offspring of a Titan and Naiad) she understands about the two-faced world. She also realised and accepted how she was just "One more nymph child among thousand thousands."
I can imagine how out of place she felt. (hide spoiler)]

[~~Poulomi Sylphrena Tonk$~~]

She feels more left out as the story progresses. (view spoiler)[There is not a single being with any tinge of unselfish affection towards her at all, in true sense of the word. The words of Prometheus were the only kind words to her so far, I think. (hide spoiler)]

[~~Poulomi Sylphrena Tonk$~~]

You're right, Poori. This book is so hard to keep down. I can't imagine myself saying this about a genre I hardly read. :D

On Chapter 7 now. (view spoiler)[ I agree with Aeetes. Glaucos is such a vain, ignorant buffoon. Like they say, Power does things to the simplest of humans.

In any other scenario, I'd have been apprehensive of someone who started loving someone they barely knew, but I kind of feel pity for Circe. I think her feelings for Glaucos stems from her deep longing of being loved and appreciated, something she has been deprived of, from even her kith and kin, since time immemorial.

Aeetes being so indifferent, was a sad turn. I do like how he knowledgeable and tactical he is, by virtue of which, Colchis is fluorishing, but I expected him to be more affectionate towards the only person who nurtured him all along. Being practical is one thing, but being cold and condescending is another. Maybe that's how things are in their family bloodlines, Circe being the only odd one out. (hide spoiler)]

What do you guys make of him?

[Purvika]

Completed chapter 7 as well
(view spoiler)[ I think everyone's indifference was necessary for her transformation, she would never have learnt her true powers if she had been under her brother's shadows. And it's a common knowledge that Greek gods were selfish and cunning and indifferent in affection towards their siblings. Rivalry? Yes! Attachments? Sometimes, but they hardly stood up for anyone beside themselves if it meant risking their position. Aeestes is no different. Though he feel warmth towards his sister, he wouldn't want to endanger his position or make a jolt to somehow fuel the impeding war. (hide spoiler)]

[Damini]

Ishi, Purvi - Thank you for enlightening me about Prometheus' story! :D

(view spoiler)[ Gods, I felt, are not all that different from mortals. They are just as self-engrossed as most men are, hungry for power and esteem and above all, they enjoy the downfall of their fellow Gods. I was saddened by the transformation of Glaucos' attitude towards Circe once he turned into a God, but as the story proceeded I realized it was for the best since Circe deserved much better. (Remember how he moved on to choosing other nymphs for marriage after Scylla turned into that hideous monster?)

Aeetes, however, I expected better from him. When he confronted Helios about how he had been wrong to declare that the herbs had no power, I thought he would stand by Circe at last. But it broke my heart when he, too, turned away from Circe.

But as Purvi said, this indifference was necessary for Circe to grow, to learn to stand for herself. (hide spoiler)]

[Ishi]

Chapter 3 Reflections

(view spoiler)[Oh I never thought Aeëtes would be like this too! He also left Circe alone again. And Circe deduced that reason completely right. " Not a good enough reason."
Are all of them like this? I guess yeah, they are. I'm heartbroken for Circe and her loneliness, even though I know she'll find her way out of it soon. (hide spoiler)]

[Ishi]

~~Poulomi Sylphrena Tonk$~~ wrote: "She feels more left out as the story progresses. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I think that's just the way all the Immortal beings are. Many even human beings too.
Reminds me how I once read that the Greek gods, they weren't made flawless, they weren't made perfect, because it was tried to make them more real. (hide spoiler)]

[Ishi]

Damini wrote: "Ishi, Purvi - Thank you for enlightening me about Prometheus' story! :D

Gods, I felt, are not all that different from mortals. They are just as self-engrossed as most men are, hungry for power an..."

Not read the spoiler yet, but yes, you're welcome Vinniepieee! ^_^

[~~Poulomi Sylphrena Tonk$~~]

Yeah, it's weird how actually they resemble mortals of today's world, when you reflect on it.
Only the Gods wore it upfront, as a badge of honour, while humans prefer them engraved in their personality, somewhat more inconspicuously.

[Utkarsh]

On chapter 5, circe is in love with a mortal. Poor girl, the guy surely doesn't feel the same. This isn't gonna end well

[Purvika]

Update Guys . I am dying to discuss the book

[Purvika]

Who is where in the book. I have finished by the way

[Em*Greedy* (Iniya)]

I just started today,,,, Was on holiday during last week...

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

Purvika wrote: "Who is where in the book. I have finished by the way"

I am done. Let's start! :)

[Swetha]

I'm in chapter Thirteen. I wonder what adventure awaits next for her since she returned from her sister's place.

[Purvika]

Em Lost In Books wrote: "Purvika wrote: "Who is where in the book. I have finished by the way"

I am done. Let's start! :)"

What do you think of Circe and the end ?

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

Great story. (view spoiler)[ I liked it from start to end. hated by siblings and her parents and yet she managed to outshine almost everyone. Even after being banished to Aiaia, she was never free of these so called God who got scared by her. Always trying to make her life hell but it was remarkable how she led her life. there were ups and downs but I guess she had a much better life than she would have at her father's palace. Gods fighting each other were enough to keep her busy but she had to entangle herself with humans too. :/

For the very first time when she accepted those strangers on Aiaia, I was afraid that something bad was going to happen and it did! Humans were worst than Gods.

Odysseus was great. I remember him from Troy but here he was more of a central characters. These old tales of Gods are so entertaining.

I didn't like her taking her stepson as her lover. At first I thought how could she do it but the more I thought about it, I realized that for a Goddess to do this was nothing new. she was the child of God and an immortal at that, things do became boring in a long life. Most of her life she was alone, so when she did find someone who loved her it made sense to be with that person. (hide spoiler)]

[Utkarsh]

(view spoiler)[ she was an outcast between gods and always trying to fit in, watching every thing but still she was innocent or naive in way. she didn't see the world for what it was and only saw what she wanted to. it took the exile for her to see things clearly.
but it maybe because she wasn't rotten like others around her and only saw good in people, not the web of lies working in their mind.

That's why others hated her in a way, jealous of her naivety, jealous that she wasn't rotten like them.

Odysseus part was great, he healed her in a way. i liked the stories he told her, the cruelty of war without hiding the truth. but it was his elder son who had the real knowledge of world and saw the true meaning of things.

like manju said, i didn't like the fact she took her stepson as lover but for gods, relations didn't really mattered i guess.
i liked the ending. she changed herself instead of trying to change teomache or whatever his name was xD (hide spoiler)]

[Purvika]

(view spoiler)[
what's good about the book.
It was a good book and you could relate to some situations in the book. The story depicted everyday human emotions, from jealousy to envy, from greed to revenge. As it was based on Greek Mythology, I think the writer did her homework and created yet another unforgettable Greek God for us who later took on humanity.
What I liked best about the story was, how it showed that even the simplest of being can posses immense power not by blood or birth, but by will. That power is not limited to Gods, even mortals can have them too if they truly will it. That, it doesn't always have to be a supernatural power, it can be something of great value like that of Odysseus, or his wife.

I liked how Circe accepted her mistakes and felt regretful about them. I loved the way she shaped her life even after she was banished from the lands of her home.
Circe was a strong character, created for people who fail to realize their inner strength.
Circe is a story of finding oneself and that one place where we belong.

what I didn't like about the story
The relationship between Circe and her step-son. Even though she's a god who doesn't want to be like other gods, she got attracted to the next man she found. She could have taken on anyone she liked but instead the writer choose to show the relationship between them. I know in those days it didn't make a difference but still it is weird on a different level, because I didn't like the idea that she would fall for the next person who made her feel loved.

As a whole book I think I would definitely like to read next installment of Circe( Though I don't think it will be a series). What happens when she takes on the spell, how does she deals with humanity. What happens to their relationship and many more questions like these. (hide spoiler)]

[Purvika]

Who else have completed it ...

And those who completed... Check main thread