Adrienne’s Pick
May 2026
Circe
Madeline Miller
Little, Brown and Company, April 10, 2018
I had long awaited the chance to read Madeline Miller’s Circe, and I was so glad to finally dive into it over spring break. As a mythology enthusiast, this rendition of the Homeric tales from an alternative perspective did not disappoint.
The novel follows Circe, the misunderstood daughter of Helios who is banished to a remote island. In exile she finds freedom from the cruelty of her family and forges an identity of her own through her encounters with gods, monsters, and familiar legendary mortals.
I especially enjoyed how seamlessly Miller wove together Greek myths into a fresh story that felt both timeless and new. She gives voice to a character often pushed to the margins and turns her into someone vivid and complex. I appreciated how honestly she captured the chaos, sacrifice, and emotional dualities of motherhood. Thoughtful, immersive, and beautifully written, Circe is a book that lingers long after the final page.