Circe

I've loved Greek mythology since as long as I can remember. I'm ashamed to admit, this probably started with the adventures of Hercules which led me down a long weird pop culture rabbit hole until I finally arrived at the Iliad and then the Odyssey. This book made me feel like I was experiencing all of that for the first time. It felt so true to the source that it seemed like this version of Circe's story was carved from the marble of the original tales. I think that's the best way to describe how reading this felt... So many adaptations of these myths add, change, and update things to make them more palatable to their audience. This one managed to make so much of the cultural weirdness of Greek myth just work as is, while also telling a wholly original story that managed to tie it all together into a cohesive compelling page turner. I'd never thought much of Circe before reading this but I'm stunned at what Madeline Miller pulled out of her. Joy, awe, devastation... if you haven't already, please read this book.