Che-Michelle Tales

Circe is Powerful Beyond Belief!

Author: Madeline Miller

Published: February 14, 2019 ( or 2018)

Wine Choice:  2019 Mr. B California Sangiovese

Stand Alone, Series, or Other: Stand Alone

Type of book: Novel

Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

How long did it take me to read this book:   2 1/2 weeks

If you have been keeping up with my Blog, you know my goal in 2023 is to finish up unread books on my Kindle app, Google Books, and the books on and beside my bed. I am excited to announce that I finished Madeline Miller’s “Circe.”  Because of life, I did not finish Circe when I first bought the book in 2021. I had to focus at work, and reading for enjoyment was paused.  Eighteen months later, a light bulb went off, and I thought, “Finish the books on your list because you need to save money.”   in March 2023, I finished Circe and was so excited that I picked this book up again. Circe is a modern retelling of the life of the enchantress and minor Goddess Circe. She is the daughter of Helios and Perse.  It follows her life from Earth to her encounter with Odysseus and is a bit further.  Sidenote I no longer think Odysseus is an upstanding Greek Hero.  Go check out “Let’s Talk about Myths, Baby!” A podcast is hosted by kick-ass historian and podcaster Liv. If you have time to listen to r podcast, Liv analyzes Odysseus’ character and puts his actions into modern perspective.  (p.s. There are several episodes about Odysseus and several about Circe, so I think you should listen to her podcast; the link is at the bottom of this post.)

Circe is a wonderfully written book with beautiful imagery, fantastic dialogue, and a captivating story. All of these elements turn this book into a page-turner. The first four chapters move slowly and make you look at Circe sideways, for her desperate need for affection from her family.  As the story builds, you realize that Circe is in a family of Narcissists and other Cluster-B personalities, and she does her best to fit in but not become like her family.  As the story builds on, you see how Circe is genuinely just trying to live her life on her terms with peace.  I love how she still assists her family, knowing they will still mistreat and abuse her good nature. In those moments, you see Circe’s ability to forgive and stay true to who she is at the core.  I always wonder if how Greek Gods and Goddess stories were indeed written about was lost over time because they didn’t fit the narrative of men.

My favorite part of the book is watching Circe go through the stages of womanhood. We watch her go from a child to a needy teenager, a naïve young woman, a mature woman, and even experience moments of joy and goodness.  To read about a Greek Goddess to have such a human experience and the rawness of such expertise.  Imagine Circe going through wonderment, disappointment, and every emotion one feels living in our world.  Miller took a Greek myth that has been used as a footnote in some cases and showcased the beauty of this goddess with humility and exhilaration.

Now you may be wondering why this book is being featured in May. 😊 Well, motherhood was showcased and talked about during the book, which fits nicely into my hope of showcasing books about mothers in May. Also, the memoirs are coming, they are taking a bit longer to write up, and I may make a significant post with all the biographies I have read.  

Let’s talk about the wine I drank for this book.  It was an excellent 2019 Mr. B Sangiovese North Coast wine from In Good Taste.  This wine was perfect for the book; it had hits of red berry fruit but dryness that complimented the heavy subjects Miller conveyed with such grace. I was drinking this wine when Circe visited her sister, and it highlighted the sibling chastisement that typically occurs with older and younger siblings. Unfortunately, Mr. B Sangiovese is unavailable on the website; however, they have many others to try. They have 8-pack minis, perfect for sitting and booking on a lovely spring evening.  (Just a heads up, this is not a paid promotion. Just a wine enthusiast and book lover who wants to share my passion.) I will still include the link 😊 at the bottom of this post.

Wine: https://ingoodtaste.com/collections/8-packs

“Let’s Talk about Myths, Baby!” Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6S9jAhlyZtr5dj2tqYXeJ6?si=ep6ATyx3QnmojLEwmkaw5g

Until Next Time,

Che Michelle