This book counted for two different 2023 challenges:

Although Miller’s Circe is not a classic, it deals with classic themes; therefore, I chose to read it for my Classic Club challenge. Circe was my choice for May/June. I had ordered it for my Kindle in 2020 when it was published, but I kept forgetting it was there and did little reading on it. When I opened Rae’s Reads, my bookstore, here in Alvin, Texas, someone donated a paperback copy. This enabled me to read at the bookstore during the days I held bookstore hours then read where I had left off on my Kindle at home.

I have always loved classic mythology and like most people, was introduced to it as a freshman in high school when we read The Odyssey. I vividly remembered Circe, the sorceress, changing Odysseus’/Ulysses’ men into swine. This is the story of Circe: her life, her power, her “place”. Circe was the daughter of Helios, the sun god. As a young girl, she discovers that she, although immortal, does not have her father’s might, nor does she have her mother’s beauty and feminine wiles, so she turns to witchcraft.

In this novel, on her isle of exile for offering water to quench Prometheus’ thirst after he is punished by her father, she encounters the Minotaur, Hermes, and Medea, and especially notable, Ulysses, plus many other mythological characters and creatures. Eventually, she must choose between gods and mortals.

Ann Patchett, the notable writer and Gynneth Paltrow, the actor both recommend the novel. Noting this, one could say the story appeals to everyone. Miller’s excellent writing and outstanding characterization make this one of my top five books for 2023.