LoveReading Says
The Song of Achilles was a beautiful and evocative retelling of a Greek myth which well deserved its praise and prize. It is possible that this second offering is even better. The language is poetic with not a word wasted, a real joy to read. I remember Circe was one of the challenges met by Odysseus, the one who turned men into pigs. The beautiful character who narrates this story is that same “wicked witch” but a far cry from how Homer portrayed her. She is lovely, misunderstood, wilful and brilliant, a strong woman slowly growing into her power. Many famous mythical figures pepper these pages; Jason, Prometheus, the Minator … but don’t worry if you haven’t heard of them all, this spellbinding story gives you all you need to know. If you are familiar with the myths you will find new life in them in this enchanting retelling. I really cannot praise it enough. It is a special book, bridging romance, fantasy, poetic literature and feminist writing to create a work of high standard with wide appeal. I loved it and I think you will too.
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Reviewed by Sarah BroadhurstSarah Broadhurst spent her early working life in the book trade in both retail and wholesale until the arrival of children forced her to look for freelance work she could do from…
More reviews by Sarah Broadhurst About Circe
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft.
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Circe Synopsis
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft.
When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, wrathful Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia. There she learns to harness her occult craft, drawing strength from nature. But she will not always be alone; many are destined to pass through Circe's place of exile, entwining their fates with hers.
The messenger god, Hermes. The craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece.
And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home.
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Madeline Miller Press Reviews
Circe is the utterly captivating, exquisitely written story of an ordinary, and extraordinary, woman's life -- Eimear McBride
In Circe, Miller gives depth and history to the title character, how it was she came to be on her island, and her struggles as an independent woman. The heroes of Greek myths - the gods, Odysseus and so on - get shoved to the side, as Miller brings to the forefront a fascinating, captivating female character. This is wonderfully detailed and well worth the more than five year wait since The Song of Achilles -- Stylist, The 20 must-read books to make room for in 2018
A captivating retelling ... It's a hard book to put down -- Donna Tartt, The Times
A masterful re-telling of The Iliad, but looking at the hidden stories and the shadows beneath -- Kate Mosse, Sunday Express
A more than worthy winner - original, passionate, inventive and uplifting -- Joanna Trollope, chair of the judges for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2012 Only the finest of historical novelists are able to adequately convey the sheer strangeness and otherness of the past, particularly the ancient past ... Remarkably fresh-- The Times
Miller's prose is more poetic than almost any translation of Homer ... Deeply affecting -- Observer
Not least of Miller's achievements is to reanimate this vision of the divine in prose that is simultaneously modern and true to its source -- Tom Holland, New Statesman
Page-turning ... Nothing strikes a false note in her intricately created world * Guardian * Extraordinary ... As great a retelling of Homer's epic Iliad as you will find -- Daily Mail
Miller has combined scholarship with imagination to turn the most familiar war epic into a fresh, emotionally riveting and sexy page-turner -- Independent
I loved Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles - a tender story of love between men and the pressure of living up to the masculine ideal -- Jenni Murray, Daily Telegraph
About Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller has a BA and MA from Brown University in Latin and Ancient Greek, and has been teaching both for the past nine years. She has also studied at the Yale School of Drama, specialising in adapting classical tales to a modern audience. The Song of Achilles is her first novel.
Author photo © Nina Subin
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