Circe- A good summer read

When I was younger I was obsessed with mythological fiction, from Greek to Norse and even Indian. Then that got lost somewhere when I outgrew my Percy Jackson phase and gravitated more towards other genres. All last year two of my friends were talking a lot about Madeline Miller and her two hugely famous books- The Song of Achilles, and Circe. At first I decided to read the former but I don’t know what made me change my mind and I picked up Circe instead. And let me tell you, Madeline Miller’s retelling of the story of Circe, witch of Aiaia, is simply bewitching.

I enjoyed reading this book with my whole heart and that was unexpected seeing as I went into it thinking I’d be bored. The prose is glittering with modernity while never losing its essence which is rooted deep in the ancient. It’s an easy read with symbolic meanings and wise realizations. I grew through the pages with Circe on her journey and learned a lot about myself as well as people that surround me and my behavior towards them.

Circe is born a goddess but she doesn’t traditionally act like one. She isn’t cruel and doesn’t have a bloated ‘godhead’ like most of her family. She is empathetic to humans and being a goddess that is not an acceptable trait to have. She is repeatedly bullied and shunned by those she holds most dear until at last when she sees them for who they truly are: Gods- selfish, egotistical and indifferent; who will never think twice before squashing you under their feet for their own gain. I thought the story was very well-written and the prose was engaging with the characters, including the protagonist, making you relate to them which I think is the biggest win for any story and any writer. I would highly recommend this for your summer reading!