WITCH CRAFT
MADELINE MILLER STRIKES GOLD AGAIN WITH ANOTHER REIMAGINING OF ONE OF THE CLASSICS
WORDS: ULI LENART
BOOKS
BOOK OF THE MONTH
CIRCE
Madeline Miller/Bloomsbury
→ From the prize-winning author of the muchloved gay romance The Song of Achilles comes this epic reimagining of the story of the mythological witch Circe, from Homer’s Odyssey. Daughter of the mighty sun-god Helios, Circe, it is decided, lacks the peerless beauty and voice of true divinity. Scorned by her kin, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft. When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia. There she learns to harness the occult, drawing mystical strength from nature. But she will not always be alone; passing through Circe’s place of exile are the messenger of the gods, Hermes, the craftsman Daedalus, and Odysseus, on his voyage home. Horror, heartache and grit pour from the pages of this exquisitely written and compelling novel. An alchemist with words, Miller continues to rejuvenate the classics with her exceptional talent. A modern masterpiece set in an ancient universe of gods, monsters and mortals, Circe is one of the best and most rewarding books of 2018. 19 April