Wednesday, 3 July 2019

Circe by Madeline Miller


"Ward and bulwark against ruin, worshipped like a god, for it was pure. The only thing in all the world you could be certain would not turn against you."

As a child, I was obsessed with the ancient gods of Rome and Greece. These fantastical tales had a form and structure that made more sense to me than other religious stories and they were far more compelling. Little wonder perhaps  that I am consistently drawn to novels that  revel in their retelling.

Circe is no exception. This is a fantastical tale told fantastically well. It provides an emotional tie to the central character that grounds the story, making it ever more accessible. In a week of high stress ups and downs, a demi-god's struggles seemed comparable. Well, perhaps I'm a little prone to exaggeration, but you get the gist.

I devoured the intense jealousy, grief,lust, fear, all the emotions. Miller was feted for her The Son of Achilles, and yet I find this latest offering a much more impressive work. This is one of those rare occasions where the beautiful cover art is a fair indication of the greatness that lies within.


5 out of 5 superpowers are a dual edged sword.

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