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Circe
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2021 January Standalone BOTM - Circe
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Lmao I have an unpopular opinion on this book. I was so bored while reading this, and I felt like there was very little happening plot-wise besides Circe being exiled, and I couldn’t connect well with the characters either. I did like the incorporation of Greek mythology though. This book just wasn’t for me, but I hope you guys might like it.
I recently read this for a class and, while it didn't blow me away, I did really enjoy it (I love all things Greek mythology). The themes were very strong and Circe's character development was great. I applaud Madeline Miller for giving a deeper story and depth to a female character who remains peripheral in much of classic Greek myth (the Odyssey in particular). The major problem I have with this book are the circumstances of the ending. I won't spoil it, but let's just say it soured my opinion of the book a bit.
Similar to WordsAreMyForte I really enjoy Greek mythology so it's no surprise I enjoyed Circe, though I'm still deciding whether or not to reread it in January for this group. It's been 6 or 7 months since I read it but due to my glorious notes I "remember" I found this a really interesting and well-done retelling with a focus not only on Circe, usually a side character in Greek mythology barely being mentioned in any stories she's in, but also on her important but usually cast aside siblings. This is basically done throughout the book through character storytelling, not plot. There's basically no plot. It could take me 30 seconds to list off the plot. Circe is told through a sense of character study, in Circe's eyes of course, causing a deeper look into some of these higher (usually male) remembered Greek mythological characters and how they ain't so great as we remember.
This is now officially longer than my last book review so I'm just gonna end this by explaining these past 150 words have been a convoluted way of saying that while I enjoyed Circe, it's easy to understand why some people don't/won't enjoy it.
I think it's more a character centred book than plot. There is plot happening, but there is no centre plot other than the character's development. It's like a lot of stories connected with Circe or someone Circe knew, joined together. I really enjoyed those different stories that we got. And Circe's character development is top class. The way she changed from a girl wanting her father's attention to someone fighting the gods is brilliant. I also loved the fact that it was not centred about Odyssey and their little romance. And I personally love Greek Mythology so it didn't disappoint. Though I'll agree, it did not reach the brilliance of The Song Of Achilles but then again, that was already a well loved story. The author might have been grasping at straws because Circe is not much well known.If you like GM, this is definitely worth a shot.
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That sounds so beautiful!!!
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- Was this a good retelling?
- Do the strengths lie in the characters or the plot?