We welcomed Jenny to the book club and discussed what we thought of this modern retelling of the Greek myths around Circe. The book tells Circe’s story from her own perspective, many of us felt it was hard to get into but once it focussed on Circe we all liked it. Those of us who had read the Greek myths as children hadn’t realised that Circe linked so many of them. From Scylla and Charybdis, to Jason and his search for the golden fleece, to her sister being the mother of the minotaur, and of course Odysseus and his long journey home to his Queen, Penelope, the book brings them together into a coherent narrative.
One of the author’s key insights is that no-one lives ‘happily ever after’. Odysseus was well suited to war and adventure but not a auiet life in peacetime. Circe became enraptured by the world of mortals to the point where she ultimately settles with Penelope’s son, renounces her divinity so they can grow old together.
We thought the book was well written and enjoyed the story. One member borrowed the audio book as well and found that much easier to get into than the book. We gave it a marking of 7 out of 10.