January 2021 BOTM - Circe (Madeleine Miller)

[Lucy Tonks, Shadowhunter - Head of BOTM]

Circe won the poll for the BOTM this month! Sorry for adding the topic this late, I've been busy with the holidays. Since this is quite a popular book, have you read it before? Start discussing.

- Thoughts?
- What did you think of out main character?
- How was the mythology aspect of this book?
- Do you think it deserves the hype?

[Amelie]

I personally didn’t enjoy this book. It’s more of a character centred book which focuses on Circe’s character development more than the actual plot. Because there was little happening plot-wise, I found it hard to actually enjoy the book and be engaged in the story, and this book just wasn’t for me. I did like the incorporation of Greek mythology though.

[☀︎El In Oz☀︎]

I love this book so sooo much. It’s all about Circe’s journey and opposed to following a plot where a bunch of stuff has to happen, it simply follows her life and adventures. It’s whimsical and cruel behind happy facades, along with some great revenge and an amazing female main character. The usage of mythology is excellent and the development in Circe as she grows older and learns from her mistakes and as she has to confront the ones she once loved that now hate her was excellent. All in all it was such a good book<3

[Maddy]

I’m excited for this book! I’m doing a buddy read with it in another group 😆

[[deleted user]]

I liked it but it didn't blow me away. As this was mostly true to the original myth, it was clear from the start that it had to very character-focused. I mean, she's on that island on her own, after all. So this book really deserves its title... but Circe wasn't an extremely extraordinary, fascinating protagonist to me.

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[E.H]

So I've just joined this group and found that this was BOTM, I read it this month and I loved it. The way Miller wrote this book was impeccable, I understand that some people don't like a character narrative focused book so I appreciate that this book isn't for everyone. In regards to the hype of the book, I think it's personal whether the book deserves the hype or not - for me it did.

[Abigail]

Oooh, I have read song of Achilles (which by the way was absolutely amazing and you all have to read it) but I haven’t read Circe yet, I’m guessing it will be good since it’s by the same author as song of Achilles, although I’ve heard it’s not as good.