Circe, queen of my heart

I could never have imagined someone explaining so well what it is to be a woman.

10/10

A completely redefining interpretation of a story that has been told a million times, Madeline Miller’s portrayal of Circe as at once powerful and deeply vulnerable, vicious and compassionate, is a remarkable commentary on the reality of being a woman. Her novel holds Circe as the focal point for these revered Ancient Greek myths, bringing together multiple legends to create the story of one woman's lifetime. It is somehow both relatable and unbelievable, and it’s shot through with moments of sadness, joy and anticipation. Miller’s understanding of how one well-placed adverb can evoke a visceral emotional reaction is something very special, however what really sold me on this book was how smoothly and easily the prose flowed, making it a real page-turner. Fast-paced and surprising, ‘Circe’ is, in short, just a very good read.