Circe

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Circe is wondrously lush and lyrical, and the depth and carefulness with which her story is drawn is breathtaking. It comes so freshly alive that I found myself completely caught up in what would happen next, even already knowing the Greek myths. After finishing, I immediately went out and bought a copy of Madeline Miller's first book, The Song of Achilles, in order to be able to reenter the tapestry of world that she so elegantly weaves. Recommended By Aubrey W., Powells.com

Yes, I'm a giant mythology fangirl, so I was excited to dive into Circe by Madeline Miller, author of the excellent and unbelievably passionate Song of Achilles. Circe is a lesser goddess, more of a witch really, and although it causes her plenty of trouble, she's more than a little drawn to mortals. Miller has an amazing way of bringing these mythologies to life, and it's kind of funny how human the gods really are. Examining themes of family, home, estrangement, and parenthood, don't miss Miller's gorgeous story of the witch goddess who was smart, brave, and more than a little human. Recommended By Dianah H., Powells.com

I devoured this book in two sittings and then immediately began rereading it: it's that good! Immersive, imaginative, tragic, and gorgeously written — Madeline Miller's novel makes you wish you never had to leave the world between its pages. Recommended By Darla M., Powells.com

I loved this book and was sorry to get to the end of it. I loved Circe herself, her absolute realness, her struggles, her triumphs. She is a woman for the ancients and for today. Madeline Miller puts me right in the middle of the old gods, and she speaks to my 21st-century heart. Recommended By Doug C., Powells.com

Prepare to be ensorcelled. Miller’s first novel, The Song of Achilles, is one of my favorite books of all time, so it was with a mix of excitement and dread that I picked up her long-anticipated follow-up, Circe. I’m thrilled to say she’s not a one-hit wonder: Circe is a masterpiece. Miller’s voice is clear, strong, and beautiful. The simple but poetic prose that made The Song of Achilles so magical is again at the forefront, and Circe herself comes to (flawed and perfect) life on the page. Recommended By Madeline S., Powells.com

The daring, dazzling and highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller The Song of Achilles.

One of the Most Anticipated Books of 2018

"An epic spanning thousands of years that’s also a keep-you-up-all-night page turner." – Ann Patchett

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 his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

With unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language and page-turning suspense, Circe is a triumph of storytelling, an intoxicating epic of family rivalry, palace intrigue, love and loss, as well as a celebration of indomitable female strength in a man’s world.

"Miller follows her impressive debut (The Song of Achilles) with a spirited novel about Circe's evolution from insignificant nymph to formidable witch best known for turning Odysseus's sailors into swine.... Weaving together Homer's tale with other sources, Miller crafts a classic story of female empowerment. She paints an uncompromising portrait of a superheroine who learns to wield divine power while coming to understand what it means to be mortal." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"An epic spanning thousands of years that's also a keep-you-up-all-night page turner." Ann Patchett, author of Commonwealth

"Circe is the utterly captivating, exquisitely written, story of an ordinary, and extraordinary, woman's life" Eimear McBride, author of A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing

"Circe bears its own transformative magic, a power enabled by Miller's keen eye for beauty, adventure, and reinvention. Through the charms of a misfit heroine, the world of gods becomes stunningly alive, and the world of our own humanity — its questions, loves, and bonds — is illuminated. This book is an immense gift to anyone who reads to find their own bravery and quest." Affinity Konar, author of Mischling

Madeline Miller was born in Boston and attended Brown University where she earned her BA and MA in Classics. She lives in Narbeth, PA with her husband and two children. The Song of Achilles was awarded the Orange Prize for Fiction and has been translated into twenty-five languages.