Circe

my favorite book of 2021 so far…

Circe is a story about a woman who grows into herself. Many people might be familiar with the name and might have heard or read some Greek mythology involving her. Her story was always a ‘by the way’ story. A mention in another character’s adventure. But Madeline the author did a good job of focusing on her evolution and the motivation behind the things she’s popular for doing.

What it is is:  A beautiful character study. 

What I liked the most about the story: Is also what I liked the least-The length. There were parts of the book in the middle where I felt fatigued, but it made sense because I was reading about the life of someone that is immortal. The writing was so good that when Circe felt tired of the monotony of things, the reader (me) felt that along side her. And as soon as her life picked up again and she had a change of pace, I no longer felt fatigued. 

Favorite lines: He spoke so softly only a god could have heard. “I was waiting for you. Say but one word, and I am gone.” It took me a moment to understand. I had not thought him so bold. But of course he was. Artist, creator, inventor, the greatest the world had known. Timidity creates nothing. What would I have said, if he had come earlier? I do not know. But his voice then was like a balm upon my raw skin. I yearned for his hands, for all of him, mortal though he was, distant and dying though he would always be. “Stay,” I said.
There were too many to choose from. The language and writing is so beautiful, but I chose this because the phrase ‘timidity creates nothing’ resonates with me as a writer.

Read if: You love Greek mythology. You want an introduction to Greek mythology or you love stories that aren’t in a hurry to end and explore all the parts of a character. Even if you don’t love greek mythology, read it!