Circe
by Madeline Miller · first published 2018
82% recommend18% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A gorgeously written reimagining of Circe's story from Greek myth, with many familiar mythological characters, praised as captivating and emotionally moving. Suits readers of myth retellings or literary fantasy.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But 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--the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and
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I urge everyone with even a passing interest in Greek mythology to check out The Song of Achilles (2011) and then Circe (2018), both by Madeline Miller. She perfectly combines ancient stories with modern prose, and these are two of my favorite fantasy novels.
on “The Odyssey – Alexander Pope translation (1725)” ↗I read two pop books this year that were way better than I expected. Circe by Madeline Miller. This is a fantastic genre defining classic. This book gave me BIG emotion. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Obviously, everyone should read this, it's great. I would insist…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite books/courses of 2022? Why?” ↗…https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/tade-thompson/rosew... - Black Sun (series) https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Black-Sun/Rebecca-Roa... * Words To Get Lost In - Piranesi https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/piranesi-9781635575637 - Circe https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/madeline-miller/circe/978... - Mexican Gothic https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/577068/mexican-goth... - The Paper Menagerie And Other Stories https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Paper-Menagerie-a...…
on “The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of the Past Decade” ↗Recent reads that I recommend: N.K. Jemison's Broken Earth Trilogy. Alix Harrow's Ten Thousand Doors of January. Madeline Miller's Circe. Murakami's 1Q84. Although with a little more thought, 1Q84 might be more upsetting now than it was last year.
on “'Doomscrolling' breeds anxiety – how to stop the cycle” ↗Not a translation, but I am absolutely in love with Madeline Miller's authentic retelling of Achilles and Circe. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeline_Miller
on “The Odyssey – Alexander Pope translation (1725)” ↗The two recent books by Madeline Miller, "Circe" and "The Song of Achilles" "Crossroads" Jonathan Franzen "Agassi" Andre Agassi - I don't normally read sports memoirs, but this one came highly recommended by a woman author that I have read recently…
on “Ask HN: What is the best thing you read in 2022?” ↗Drowned Worlds, Jonathan Strathan (Ed) - Stories of climate change. One of the stories will make it real to the reader. Circe, Madeline Miller - Entertaining and memorable tale with many characters from Greek mythology.
on “Ask HN: Great books you read in 2018?” ↗Drowned Worlds, Jonathan Strathan (Ed) - Stories of climate change. One of the stories will make it real to the reader. Circe, Madeline Miller - Entertaining and memorable tale with many characters from Greek mythology.
on “Ask HN: Favorite fiction books of 2018?” ↗Madeline Miller's book Circe touches on the same themes for parts of it. It was a very good read. I haven't read Song of Achilles yet.
on “Ask HN: What Lived Up to the Hype?” ↗…Travelers stranded at a space-rest-stop find they have something in common. Charles Stross "The Bloodline Feud" and sequels. Alternate-universes-travel, Medici-style mercantilism feuds. Madeline Miller "Circe". Gorgeously written, captivating reimagining of Circe's story. timeless.
on “Ask HN: What are some of the best books you have read in 2022?” ↗For comparison, here is Goodreads readers' choice winners: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2018 Overlapping books look to be: - Circe - The Kiss Quotient - Educated - Cravings: Hungry For More - Children Of Blood And Bone
on “NPR‘s Best Books of 2018” ↗> The most memorable creative responses to The Odyssey – such as Euripides’ Helen, Virgil’s Aeneid, Milton’s Paradise Lost, Joyce’s Ulysses, Walcott’s Omeros, Atwood’s Penelopiad, Madeline Miller’s Circe or Lisa Peterson’s play set in a modern migrant camp – Hey, she forgot to include O Brother, Where Art Thou! \s
on “An Uncomplicated Man” ↗