**This review contains spoilers**
Some say that witches are pure evil, and some might even say delicate, but, one thing I know for sure since reading Circe is that witches are not so fragile. Witches are raw power.
And raw power through its definition is not delicate.
“Humbling women seems to me a chief pastime of poets. As if there can be no story unless we crawl and weep.”
Madeline Miller
What Is It About?
Minor Greek Goddess, 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. Circe can transform her rivals –mortal and immortal– into monsters, and menace the gods themselves through her witchcraft.
Circe is the daughter of Helios, one of the most powerful Titans, and the god of the Sun, and a beautiful and seductive sea nymph with a desire for power and praise. She is not blessed with any of her parents' attributions. Because of this, she is a disappointment. They see her as a weak goddess, and she is ignored by the entire divine community. Furthermore, her younger siblings (Perses and Pasiphaë) make her life miserable. All this gives the possibility to Circe wander through her father's halls, learning the political dynamics in Helios' court.
There are dangers for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods. She finds herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must rally her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs alongside the gods she was born with or the mortals she has grown to love.
My opinion
I've had a weakness for Greek mythology since I was a child. I was the girl who went to the school library to read all the books that talked about Greek mythology, who was fascinated by learning about the gods and goddesses and their relationship with the human race. When I was in middle school, I read all the books about Percy Jackson, and I can proudly admit that I had a HUGE crush on him.
So when I discovered Circe by Madeline Miller, I had the mission to buy it right away and make it my next book to read. All the good reviews were right: this book deserves all the hype. Madeline's retold of the Greek myth of Circe is very good. I loved how she gave Circe a voice, how she grew with each chapter. I would say that this book is about female empowerment, finding your way in life, and realize that the only approval you need and deserve is your own. Nobody should be your master, and that is the lesson Circe learned the hard way.
Circe's childhood (well, actually her first centuries –since she's immortal–) spends her time alone in the bay until she meets the mortal, Glaucus, and falls in love with him. She wants to spend eternity with him, which incites her to find a way, uncovering her power: pharmaka. The ability to draw the energy of some herbs and plants, the witchcraft forbidden to the gods. This backfires on her. Glaucus, drunk with his new power, rejects the love he once had for Circe and falls for a sea nymph.
In her blind rage, Circe cast a dark spell at the sea nymph and, because of this, she is banished by Zeus to an inhabited island: Aiaia.
How many of us have reacted blindly to rage? It is said that it's key to breathe before saying something when mad, but sometimes our tempers get the best of us. This is another reason why I also identify with Circe. Many times she was the victim of her own temper.
Even though it is supposed to be a punishment, Circe finds that her solitary life is superb on the island. There, she learns to harness her power and protect herself and the life that exists in Aiaia. Years go by, and Circe has unwanted guests. Sailors who believe they are entitled to take advantage of a 'weak' woman. How wrong they are.
Once again, Circe has to learn how to adapt. She evolves as a woman who wraps men into her seductiveness until they are turned into pigs. Until she encounters Odysseus. They become lovers and, when he leaves, Circe learns she is bearing his son, Telegonus. Having consequences that will alter Circe's life. Both positively and negatively.
Circe is a character with many flaws, but somehow I found it very relatable, and more times than I can count, I sympathized with her. Circe grew in an environment that oppressed her, and in some twisted way, her punishment became her liberation.
This book has taught me that, perhaps, when we feel that life is unfair and miserable –and we may think everything and everyone is against us– it is time to make introspection and some internal changes to become the best version of ourselves.
In her "punishment", Circe found herself; she grew stronger, learned new things, and develop her personality. In summary, she empowered herself.
Circe made me realized that I want to ignite my desire to feel more confident. To light my inner fire, my way in this world, and not let anyone put me down.
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