I am Woman

Circe 

Madeline Miller

347 pages, Kindle Edition, published April 10, 2018

 Circe is the daughter of Helios and though a god, she discovers that she is nothing more than a pawn in the game of both gods and men. Banished to an island for possessing the knowledge of witchcraft Circe hones her skills. Initially she is happy with her isolation but soon the world comes to her, and Circe finds herself having to navigate both worlds. In time Circe begins to question whether she wants to remain as an immortal or become human.

Circe from birth is a maligned character, she wants to understand, to be accepted but is tossed aside by a mother wanting to establish a powerbase and a father who wants to maintain and expand his powerbase. Circe is friendless and at times clueless, she becomes an easy mark for the family to deride and manipulate. It is that manipulation that has Circe punished by Zeus and exiled to an island. It is here that Circe is able to develop into her true self.

Miller’s writing is lyrical and evocative in descriptions. The characters are fully formed and beautifully tainted. The understanding of the source material is extensive and Miller crafts a wonderfully developed world that compliments and enhances.

Circe is a delightfully complex tale, that subtly brings forth the machinations of power and how it can be used for good and bad.