Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Circe  By  cover art

Circe

By: Madeline Miller
Narrated by: Perdita Weeks
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.95

Buy for $24.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Editorial review


By Laura Sackton

CIRCE USES GREEK MYTHOLOGY TO TEACH US ABOUT BECOMING HUMAN

Three months after reading Circe for the first time, I listened to the audiobook. This is something I often do when I fall in love with a book—I reread it on audio as soon as possible, desperate to fall that much more deeply into its world. Listening to Perdita Weeks's extraordinary performance is when I truly fell in love with Circe. I have listened to it every year since. This is a ritual I cannot imagine my life without.

At heart, Circe is a story about becoming—becoming a woman, becoming a human, become a person who belongs to a place. While living in the halls of her father, she falls in love with a mortal, a fisherman named Glaucos. Devastated by his mortality, she uses for the first time the magic of transformation that will define much of her life. She turns him into a god, but instead of returning her love, he falls for a nymph, Scylla. Circe, in rage and jealousy, turns Scylla into a dreadful monster. For this, and for her use of witchcraft, she is exiled to the island of Aiaia. It is alone on this isolated island that her true work begins. Over centuries, she studies herb lore and witchcraft. She becomes powerful. She tangles with some of the age's greatest heroes, slyest gods, and deadliest monsters—Hermes, Daedalus, the Minotaur, and, of course, Odysseus.

If you love Greek mythology and mythology retellings, Circe should be a must-read, an easy masterpiece. It engages with old, familiar stories in new and exciting ways. It’s beautifully written and richly detailed. Its scope is epic—centuries pass as Circe wrestles with her own demons, now engaging with the world, now retreating from it. There is adventure, magic, and romance; grief and despair and betrayal; wonderful surprises.

But Circe is so much more than a retelling, and even if you've never given the Witch of Aiaia a second thought—even if you've never read The Odyssey and don't plan to—it's worth your time. It is a timeless story about the long, slow work of discovering who you are and what you want—work that takes a lifetime. It is about the impossibility of being a woman in a world made for men. It is about motherhood and friendship and the choices that haunt us. It is a book about the mess and muck of humanity, and there is wisdom and healing in it no matter who you are.

Continue reading Laura's review >

Publisher's summary

"A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess's story," this #1 New York Times bestseller is "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, 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 thrilling 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.

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

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Madeline Miller (P)2018 Hachette Audio

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

Featured Article: 55+ Quotes for Whenever You Need a Little Encouragement


We all have bad days and dry spells. We all experience moments of disappointment, sadness, and self-doubt. And occasionally, we all need an encouraging word—or several—to lift our spirits, boost our confidence, and fill us with hope. Straight from the works of best-selling and widely admired authors, here's a collection of positive and reassuring words you can turn to anytime you're in need of support.

Editor's Pick

A golden god, and a golden book
"This is the best book I’ve ever listened to. It is about a goddess, Circe, but Madeline Miller’s use of perspective and rich, precise language makes each moment evocative, thrilling, and above all human. It’s about as easy to make gods seem believably human as it is to make humans seem believably god-like, but there is no sign of struggle in Miller’s technique. Her Circe is just as dynamic, with traits—doubt, skill, jealousy, honor, indulgence, nostalgia—that rival the deepest of literature’s great characters. I know that sounds bombastic, but while listening to this I honestly felt like this whole book was gold, like each moment I was taking a bite from a glowing orange. The cover is gold, so that might have contributed to the impression, but I think it was in large part thanks to Perdita Weeks’s flawless performance. The warmth of her voice, constantly challenged by the chaotic tragedies and joys of Greek mythology, imbued the book with its own fascinating and treasured mortality."
Michael D., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Circe

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    41,939
  • 4 Stars
    8,584
  • 3 Stars
    2,087
  • 2 Stars
    483
  • 1 Stars
    307
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    42,668
  • 4 Stars
    4,340
  • 3 Stars
    799
  • 2 Stars
    198
  • 1 Stars
    130
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    36,869
  • 4 Stars
    8,087
  • 3 Stars
    2,134
  • 2 Stars
    521
  • 1 Stars
    291

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Refined writing with an intimate performance

I don't know why this book had such a profound effect on me, but it was unlike anything else I've listened to so far. I don't consider myself a mythology nerd, but looking at books I've listened to in the past (Norse Mythology, Fifteen Dogs), I probably am. It wasn't really the mythology that grabbed me though, but way more so the intimate experience of living inside of Circe's mind for 12 hours.

You can tell that Madeline Miller took great care to really dive into and visualize Circe's experience. It's so real!

The self-doubt, the grappling with her identity, her punishment, her privileges, and her mistakes. Circe as a character is so dynamic, and Miller polishes each thought, each minute detail, like a diamond. The dynamic perspective also adds so much to the familiar stories and fables of greek gods and heroes that we see them all in a totally new way.

Odysseus is especially more human than ever. His skill in trickery and leadership turns into something new entirely, and his heroism (and so the very concept of heroism) is illustrated remarkably well.

Yeah maybe I am a little too into mythology, but if anything this book made me realize it more than ever.

Lastly, this audiobook debuts a brilliant new talent to audible. Perdita Weeks. Omg. She is amazing and can do anything. The way she fluctuates between male and female voices is one thing. I didn't even notice it was her at first, narrating the men.

But the raw emotion she pours into Circe's internal struggle nails the point of this story on the head. She turns what is essentially a lonely monologue into a three-dimensional experience.

In the end you have two people Madeline Miller and Perdita Weeks, who wholly and honestly assumed the role and mind of Circe, and lived it for the duration of this story.

I could keep writing about this forever so I'm just gonna end it here, because you probably get the point.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

627 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Magnificent!

This is the best book I've listened to in ages. Beautifully written from start to finish, Madeline Miller's novel breathes new life into old mythology. Through Circe's eyes, we perceive the strange and callous cruelty of the gods (and of men), the fleeting lives of mortals, love, loss, and the strange and wondrous magnificence of the world. There are heroes and monsters, adventure and witchcraft. The book is breathtaking in it's scope yet immensely personal and moving as well. It's a truly impressive achievement and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Perdita Weeks' narration is top notch.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

251 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Filled With Grace, Action, Humor--Unforgettable

To say that Circe proves Madeline Miller to be an excellent writer, capable of capturing setting, time, characters, and essence, is an absolute understatement. I haven't been so entranced by a book since City of Thieves.
Though they are entirely different forms of work, both books have unforgettable characters, and Miller's writing places you, the reader, right in the midst of gorgeous places, living with the larger than life, whether gods or mortals.
Here you'll find Circe, someone who was shaped by an early act of grace given to Prometheus, living amongst the likes of Daedalus and Icarus, Jason and Medea, Odysseus and Penelope. Then too, she butts heads with Hermes and Athena, with Helios himself. She moves among them all.
She is moved by terrible violation and the tenderest of pity. She grows into a woman of strength and independence, and finds that, through generation after generation of life, there's a difference between immortality and actual living. It's a beautiful tale, elegantly written, with act after act of the unbelievable, the unforgettable. Truly, this is a story written from the divine for us, mere mortals.
And Perdita Weeks! Though at times I had trouble with the volume, as she goes from quiet thoughts to daring and outspoken declarations, Weeks has wonderful tones, carries dialogue, carries action with grace, ease, and power. What a find she is as a narrator.
I can't vouch for how closely Circe follows mythology; what I found (in Wikipedia, I admit--not from Edith Hamilton), is quite different, but I can say with complete sincerity, that this story as written is truly a find.
A cover-to-cover listen (what is mere sleep, after all? a trip to the underworld?), filled with gods and mortals, lionesses and wolves, swine and nymphs.
Really, quite remarkable.
For other reviews, of all genres, check out Audiobook Accomplice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

122 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

YE GODS! WHEN WILL IT MAKE AN END?!?

Normally I don't 'follow the crowd' and choose a book because it is 'popular'. I learned long ago that my personal interests and tastes often do not match those of the general reading public. That said, I decided to take a chance on Circe. I thought it might be an INTERESTING retelling of the old myths -- with some elaboration to tweak the old stories to make them more 'gossipy' and less 'history'.

I should have followed my instinct and avoided this book. I actually felt so strongly about my disappointment in the book that - after I had RETURNED it - I went back and RE-PURCHASED it - just so I could review it. I'll return it - again - as soon as I finish the review.

I listened to the first half of the book - never 'attaching' myself to the main character, or any others. Circe seems to make a life of just 'floating through her world'...like flotsum...briefly swayed by interactions with others, but always just going where her personal 'winds of change' blew - never taking meaningful action. I wanted to shout: "For The God's sake - just DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL!!!"

Perhaps all the literary accolades are just that - based on "The Literary Perception" - that elevates well-manipulated words into "Literary Wonders". Evidently I am well-past my college days when 'literary works of art' were understood and lauded - discussed with others - and loudly praised to the uninitiated.

Now, I'm much more satisfied with a book that stirs my emotions, raises the limits of my imagination, amazes or educates me. Sad to say, "Circe" falls far short of even catching my interest.

That said, I will, once again, return it -- and choose something that really earns its 4-star (or higher) rating.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

118 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not worth the hype but still good

This is the story of Circe, the daughter of the Sungod, who gets exiled to an island, and comes into her own as a witch and as a woman. I don't know, everyone says this book is so feminist, and I guess I just don't see it. I thought Circe's character was dull to be honest. And the only parts of the book that were actually interesting to me, were the parts where she interacted with others. But as she is exiled pretty early on in the book, to an island which she can't leave, those parts weren't prevalent in the story. I liked almost all the other charcters better, and that was hard going for me, since this story was told from Circe's perspective. Another problem I had was the span of this tale, which literally spun thousands of years, and almost all the action was brought to you in a very peripheral way. It picked up by the ending, though which was excellent! If only Circe had stood/ spoken up for herself sooner, I would have liked this tale a whole lot more.
All of that asisde, I think the writing is beautiful and it reads like a fairy tale that keeps you interested all the way. You don't have to know anything about Greek Mythology to enjoy this. My own knowlegde was limited at best - I didn't even know who Circe was, at the start - and everything is explained very well, and in a manner that's very organic.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes stories with a large scope,with beautiful proze and a female character coming of age, and finding out where her value lies. I think that the whole discussion on immortality was very interesting and well-done, too

I thought the narration was excellent. Her voices really takes you everywhere, and almost had a lulling quality, quite magical. I thought it was really well-suited to Circe

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

83 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow, Wow, Wow - Exceptional

If you could sum up Circe in three words, what would they be?

Circe is Spellbinding

What other book might you compare Circe to and why?

This book is nothing like I've read before. It's almost like magic was used in each word, casting strong emotions. The story can be an analogy to our trials and tribulations. Even after reading it I keep thinking back of the poetic tone Miller used to unravel the stories, it conjures to reflect on the similarities within it with our human experiences. One of the strongest emotions is realizing children are not our own but their own and they would find their way in this world not matter how strong the will is to protect them. Circe will be one of those books that will be forever in me. Perhaps one such book causing a similar magical effect is - Don Quijote.

Bravo Madeline Miller!

What about Perdita Weeks’s performance did you like?

Perdita Weeks' performance was outstanding, drawing Circe's personality out as she matured. Not only did she make Circe a compelling character but all the others as well.

Who was the most memorable character of Circe and why?

The strongest character by far is Circe, she is powerful, always strong willed and aiming to do what is ultimately right against all odds. She is brave, facing those who had wronged her, murky waters, and deadly situations. Circe is a heroine.

Any additional comments?

Additionally, Madeline took such great care on making Circe a classy read. Loved, loved, loved, how it did not have explicit sexual innuendo and anything remotely close to a sexual encounter was kept to the readers imagination. This is the first audible I purchase the companion audible edition for and will also buy the hard copy because I want to go back and re-read it. So many insights in it, so many teachings.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

78 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gorgeous and haunting

I will listen to every story this narrator is willing to tell. It’s as if she and the author are one. The tale of Circe as imagined from her perspective is so full, so - I’m at a loss for an adjective big enough to describe - but it’s lodged in my body, the emotions and insight and observations, the mythical and the mortal. I will listen again just to get lost in it. One of my favorite audiobook experiences ever.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

56 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Slow start, but a fun listen overall.

I wished Circe would stop whining for the first 3 chapters. It got immensely better after all that self loathing was over.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

51 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Left a lot to be desired.

It took me forever to finish this book and sometimes it felt more like a chore to carry on. To me this wasn't really a story and more of a memoir or timeline narration. I just found this to be a very, very boring book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

44 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Till human voices wake us...

Any additional comments?

"Circe" has all my favorite elements: mythology, magic and a strong female pov with an authentic human voice. The narrator's performance, precise, lyrical yet understated, lured me into the depths of the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

43 people found this helpful