My knowledge of Greek mythology is minimal: I know only the broadest of strokes. I mean, I’ve read the Odyssey (bits of it at least?) and I’ve seen “O Brother Where Art Thou.” I was a bit skeptical that I would enjoy this book, but it had such rave reviews and a lot of ladies I know really enjoyed it, so I joined the pack and I’m glad I did. In fact, not really knowing about mythology made it even more fun to read and preserved the twists and turns of the story.
Circe is the daughter of Helios, the black sheep of the family. She is a strong woman in a universe of the strong, but she has sympathy and tenderness where the others just have a quest for power and righteousness.Miller’s writing is lyrical and bold. I tend to skim and lose interest with description and scenery, but the realm of the gods leaps off the page. In addition, she deftly balances the fantastic with the human. And there are just some outstanding interactions, in particular between the gods.
Helios: “You have always been the worst of my children,” he said. “Be sure you do not dishonor me.”
Circe: “I have a better idea. I will do as I please, and when you count your children, leave me out.”
MIC DROP. Take that, Helios.
Miller’s take keeps the gravitas of the original stories and fills in the details in a way that enriches the original stories, and seems like it was the way they were meant to be told all along. Took me a little while to get into, but I stuck with it and I’m glad I did.