Book Review | Circe by Madeline Miller

Madeline Miller’s Circe is a captivating retelling of the myth of Circe, best known from Homer’s The Odyssey. Miller turns Circe, a relatively minor character, into a fully developed and multi-dimensional protagonist. Through the narrative, Circe transforms from an outcast to an independent, powerful figure. This Circe book review will explore key themes such as transformation, power, and the feminist undertones that drive Circe’s journey toward independence and self-realization.

Circe’s Journey from Outcast to Witch

Circe begins life as the misunderstood daughter of Helios, the Titan sun god, and Perse, a nymph. Her differences from her family—neither as radiant as Helios nor as alluring as her siblings—result in rejection. However, her discovery of the powers of witchcraft changes everything. Circe’s decision to transform the nymph Scylla, driven by jealousy, marks a turning point in her life. For this act, she is exiled to the remote island of Aiaia, which becomes both her sanctuary and her prison.

Key Themes:

• Isolation: Circe’s exile is both a punishment and an opportunity for self-discovery.
• Power: Through her exile, Circe hones her skills and learns to harness her witchcraft, becoming a force to be reckoned with.
• Self-Discovery: The island provides her the solitude necessary to grow into her identity.

Throughout her time on Aiaia, Circe is forced to come to terms with her new reality. The island is lush and beautiful but also confining. Here, Circe practices her craft, tames wild animals, and slowly grows confident in her abilities. This is where she fully embraces her identity as a witch, realizing that her magic can grant her power and independence, but it also isolates her from the rest of the world. This Circe book review shows how Miller uses Circe’s exile as a pivotal moment for her character, allowing her to grow from a sidelined figure into someone who takes control of her destiny.

Mythological Figures and Growth

Though isolated, Circe’s island becomes a crossroads for various iconic figures from Greek mythology. Her most profound connection is with Odysseus. Unlike the original myth, Miller gives this relationship depth, making them intellectual equals. This dynamic allows Circe to develop a more nuanced view of power, control, and love. Odysseus comes to her island weary from his travels, and their bond is one of mutual understanding and shared wisdom. In Miller’s retelling, Circe’s role in Odysseus’s life is far more significant than being the witch who temporarily waylaid him. They are equals, and Odysseus’s humanity forces Circe to confront her own struggles with immortality.

Her encounters with figures like Daedalus, Hermes, and her niece Medea show Circe evolving as she interacts with them. Each interaction reveals a new layer of her character. Daedalus, the mortal craftsman, becomes one of the few people Circe forms a deep connection with, while Medea, a fellow witch, serves as a reflection of what Circe could have been if she had allowed bitterness to consume her. These mythological characters, rather than merely passing through her life, become catalysts for her personal growth and provide valuable lessons on morality, love, and mortality. It is truly what makes this book a must-read for any fantasy lover.

Feminist Undertones and Circe’s Struggles

Circe’s transformation from a powerless nymph to a feared and respected witch speaks to the feminist themes running through the novel. Early on, Prometheus tells her:

“Not every god need be the same.”

This revelation sets Circe on a path of defiance, pushing her to challenge both divine authority and mortal men. As a character who is often sidelined in the original myths, Circe’s reclamation of her narrative is a powerful statement about autonomy.

Throughout the novel, Circe faces challenges that stem from being a woman in a patriarchal world, even within the divine sphere. The gods, particularly male figures like her father Helios and Zeus, view her as insignificant and unworthy of their attention. But Circe defies these expectations, carving out her own space through her magic and resilience. Her story is one of enduring, overcoming, and thriving despite constant rejection and marginalization.

This Circe book review emphasizes how Circe’s journey reflects broader feminist themes, turning her from a passive figure into an empowered woman who defies societal expectations. In doing so, Miller creates a narrative that speaks to modern audiences, drawing parallels between Circe’s struggles and the ongoing fight for women’s autonomy.

Exploring Love, Mortality, and Choices

Core Themes:

• Mortality: Circe’s fascination with mortals like Odysseus shows her growing appreciation for life’s impermanence.
• Love: She experiences love in many forms, from romantic to maternal, each shaping her understanding of relationships.
• Choices: Throughout the book, Circe is forced to make tough decisions, which ultimately define her as a character.

Circe’s evolving relationship with mortality is one of the book’s core themes. Her encounters with mortals highlight the differences between the eternal gods and the finite lives of humans. This adds a layer of poignancy to her interactions with Odysseus, who is both a lover and a symbol of what she will never be—a mortal whose life is fleeting. Her romantic relationship with Odysseus is not the only form of love explored in the novel. Circe’s maternal instincts come to the fore with the birth of her son, Telemachus, which forces her to re-examine her relationship with both mortality and divinity.

Circe’s connection to humanity ultimately leads her to embrace love in all its forms. From her relationship with Odysseus to her later bond with Telemachus, love becomes a central driving force in her life. These relationships force her to confront what it means to love and lose, even as a goddess.

The Legacy of Circe

At its core, Circe is a story about reclaiming one’s identity and power. Through Madeline Miller’s lyrical writing, Circe’s narrative becomes one of self-empowerment, love, and the struggle to exist in a world that often marginalizes the powerless. Circe’s journey speaks not only to her own growth but also to the universal human experience of finding one’s place in the world.

Final Reflections:

• Circe’s power grows as she learns to control her destiny through witchcraft.
• Her relationships with mortals and gods alike shape her identity, blending strength with vulnerability.
• Circe redefines the mythological character into a modern symbol of resilience and empowerment.

Miller’s retelling of Circe elevates the character from the sidelines of mythology to the forefront, allowing her to become a symbol of feminine power and resilience. The novel leaves a lasting impact, showing that the process of growth and self-realization is universal, regardless of one’s divine or mortal status.