YES. YES. AND YES.

So fulfilling, so satisfying, and so gorgeously full of emotion with the prose to match.

“Sweet son, you are right. This world is a wild and terrible place, and worth shouting at. But you are safe now and all of us need to sleep.”

Despite the semi-popular opinion, I was not bored at all. Though they both have their slow parts, I cared for this a lot more than The Song of Achilles (that book was what bored me). This review cannot encompass my love and feelings for this book but I write it anyway.

This is definitely more for those who enjoy centralized plots and doesn’t mind just vibing and hanging out with Circe on her island for the most part. (Honestly, I didn't even realize it until other people pointed it out). This is the masterpiece that happens when you throw in themes of isolation, motherhood/parenthood, immortality, complicated love, loss, hope, friendship, heroism and mix it with some Greek god drama, witty humor, emotion, tragedy, wanderlust.

“I thought once that gods are the opposite of death, but I see now they are more dead than anything, for they are unchanging, and can hold nothing in their hands.”

Circe is certainly one of my new all time favorite characters if I ever had a list. She’s not perfect and is arguably a morally grey character, but at the end of the day she’s willing to do what she believes needs to be done for the people she loves with no second thoughts. Just like with any other character-driven book, I think you need to be attached to Circe or be intrigued by the little tragedies that always seem to happen, in some kind of way, to be able to enjoy this to the fullest. I don’t think it would be that hard though.

It’s just so beautifully written (I can't get over it) while filling up all the in-betweens in Greek myths/stories. I really could not help but get pulled in. I’m always here for some dreamy prose and full-circle moments. Definitely a new favorite standalone.

“He showed me his scars, and in return he let me pretend that I had none.”

There is just something about Greek myth retellings/inspirations that they would, more often than not, have a musing and thoughtful touch underlying the story. And Madeline Miller delivers.

↣ Madeline Miller was able to tell a century's old myth in such a unique style that entrances you the whole way. It was so easy to fall in love with every character and everything wraps ups in the best way that it leaves you with the feeling of fullness, and the promise of hope and better days. ↢

Bella ciao, I will now go through all the Circe quotes and dream. This made me feel so soft inside.

Bonus points: the audiobook is just fantastic.

“Even at his best he was not an easy man but he was a friend to me at a time when I needed one.”
“It is strange to think of a goddess needing friends.”
“All creatures that are not mad need them.”

— 5.0 —
⇢ content warnings// Body horror, Childbirth (with complications), Rape, Torture