Circe

By: Madeline Miller

Narrated by: Perdita Weeks

This #1 New York Times bestseller brilliantly reimagines the life of Circe, formidable sorceress of The Odyssey, as she discovers her own power, forges her identity, and challenges the gods who seek to control her.

"[A] bold and subversive retelling of the goddess's story." —The New York Times

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

With unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language, and page-turning suspense, Circe is a triumph of storytelling, an intoxicating epic of family rivalry, palace intrigue, love and loss, as well as a celebration of indomitable female strength in a man's world.

Named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, Washington Post, People, Time, Amazon, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, Newsweek, A.V. Club, Christian Science Monitor, Refinery 29, Buzzfeed, Paste, Audible, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Thrillist, NYPL, Self, Real Simple, Goodreads, Boston Globe, Electric Literature, BookPage, Guardian, Book Riot, Seattle Times, and Business Insider.

Critic reviews

Winner of the 2019 Indie Choice Award
Shortlisted for the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction
Named one of the 'Best Books of 2018' by NPR, The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, People, Time, Amazon,Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, Newsweek, the A.V. Club, Christian Science Monitor, Southern Living,and Refinery 29.

"Circe,' [is] a bold and subversive retelling of the goddess's story that manages to be both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right."—Alexandra Alter, New York Times

"One of the most amazing qualities of this novel [is]: We know how everything here turns out - we've known it for thousands of years - and yet in Miller's lush reimagining, the story feels harrowing and unexpected. The feminist light she shines on these events never distorts their original shape; it only illuminates details we hadn't noticed before."—Ron Charles, Washington Post

"[Miller] gives voice to Circe as a multifaceted and evolving character...'Circe' is very pleasurable to read, combining lively versions of familiar tales and snippets of other, related standards with a highly psychologized, redemptive and ultimately exculpatory account of the protagonist herself."—Claire Messud, New York Times Book Review

"The story of Circe's entanglement with Odysseus lasts far beyond the narrative of "The Odyssey," making for compelling material to revisit. But ultimately it's as a character that Circe stands apart....Through her elegant, psychologically acute prose, Miller gives us a rich female character who inhabits the spaces in between."
—Colleen Abel, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Miller's lush, gold-lit novel - told from the perspective of the witch whose name in Greek has echoes of a hawk and a weaver's shuttle - paints another picture: of a fierce goddess who, yes, turns men into pigs, but only because they deserve it."—NPR.org

"so vivid, so layered, you could get lost in it... Whether or not you think you like Greek Mythology, this is just great storytelling. It feels cinematic."— NPR's Here & Now

"Spellbinding..Miller has created a daring feminist take on a classic narrative; although the setting is a mystical world of gods, monsters, and nymphs, the protagonist at its heart is like any of us."—O Magazine

"Miller's spell builds slowly, but by the last page you'll be in awe. In prose of dreamlike simplicity, she reimagines the myth of Circe."—People

"Miller, with her academic bona fides and born instinct for storytelling, seamlessly grafts modern concepts of selfhood and independence to her mystical reveries of smoke and silver, nectar and bones."—Entertainment Weekly

BEST AUDIBLE EVER!!!

Perdita Weeks' voice is like nectar and Madeline Miller's words of imagery is poetry. fantastical!

LISTEN TO THIS AND EMPOWER YOURSELF

literally CRAMMED FULL of delightful life lessons and beautiful prose. so enjoyable! the performance is TRANSFORMATIVE, ethereal! what a journey! LOVE IT!

Beautiful prose

One of the most beautiful and captivating stories I’ve ever had the privilege to enjoy. Pérdida Weeks’ lovely voice really did it justice.

The best book EVER

Would you listen to Circe again? Why?

The story line is excellent. The narration is excellent. Leaves you wanting more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Circe - She is defiant and willful. My kind of gal.

What about Perdita Weeks’s performance did you like?

Her voice worked well with all of the characters and was very soothing, but never boring.

If you could rename Circe, what would you call it?

The Witch of Aeaea

Any additional comments?

I have read hundreds of books. This, by far, is one of the best stories that I've experienced.

Excellent

Excellent

I was completely surprised by this book. Many mythological novels are just a modern story with a mythological theme. This instead is a mythological world with a strong female protagonist whose character changes as the story develops with prose that are a pleasure to listen to.

You don't really need the included PDF that briefly describes the characters, as the book does well at introductions, but it was an enjoyable read nevertheless. If you are not seeped in Greek myths, I would recommend reading the PDF before starting the book.

The story was complex and unpredictable and changed tone and tempo continuously.

The narration was just about perfect, adding to the excellent writing with clarity and emotionality.

I will certainly listen to this again, have marked it as a favorite, and highly recommend it.