Madeline Miller: Circe

Nearly done.

Expectations and initial promise more than fulfilled so far.

And done.

Wonderfully written, powerful and moving story of Circe. Her whole life is laid out and the familiar episodes fit intriguingly into the whole picture. It’s narrated by Circe herself and as the story unfolds over millennia ( as being semi-divine she is immortal...or is she) we see her wonderfully thoughtful self-awareness develop. Somewhat ironically she seems to become more human and more self aware ( mature?) as she lives her life.

Her relationships, centrally with Odysseus, are the core of the book and are a riveting page-turning element.

The style is wonderfully pungent and poetic..on almost every page there is likely to be a superbly apposite image of phrase...a marvellous way of showing how the best prose can be poetic.

The great learning is worn very lightly and I for one cannot wait for her next book...almost as eagerly as I am awaiting Phillip Pullman.