Madeline’s answer to “Should I read The Odyssey before reading your new book Circe?” > Likes and Comments

Thanks for your response Madeline.

I'll check out Wilson's translation of The Odyssey soon. I've heard good things about it from others.

I've started Circe a few days ago and I'm really enjoying it. Its taking me back to the days when I read Edith Hamilton's Mythology in school.

You are genius! I am loving Circe and it makes me happy that there is finally someone who can re-introduce Greek mythology to masses in a very intelligent, yet entertaining way. Thank you! I hope to be as inspirational writer as you are one day :)

I can vouch for it. My knowledge of Greek mythology starts and ends with Achillies and few others from the film 'Troy'. Yet, I could understand the plot and characters without any difficulty. The author has done a tremendous job of introducing various gods without taking up many pages.

My knowledge of Greek mythology is that the gods but that is about it, but The translation of the Odyssey is yet to be read by me

Same here, I remembered very little of my Greek Mythology from School, but I am enjoying Circe right now and plan to read Achilles next. .

Thank you so much for your work! :)

You are looking for a place to visit now: maps goo

I sincerely agree! I read your books in this order (Wilson's and then yours) and I really enjoyed it. It felt like a teaser or introduction to Circe - just a glimpse, and then I read your book as though it were an exposition on the character. I absolutely love how you emphasised her unconventional beauty in comparison to other goddesses and nymphs. Beautiful novel, thank you for writing it. I read it twice (once for uni and once for pleasure, and look forward to the third time around when I have finished this semester of university!)

But if you do take the time to read Homer, it will immeasurably increase the enjoyment of works like those of Ms. Miller. There are lots of good translations, both in verse and prose. Try it. You'll be surprised at how much fun it is. I reread the Odyssey every few years.

Just want to say I had zero interest in Greek mythology till a about two weeks ago, I didn't even know what the Odyssey was (had only ever heard of it) until I was reading in a non fiction book about rhapsodies and was fascinated about this story that was passed on before written word was invented and is still talked about to this day. I went in knowing nothing aside from some of the big names most people know and I absolutely loved this story and I am keen to learn and read more from Madeline Miller and Greek mythology in general.

This is great to know because I’m just getting in to Greek Mythology and Song of Achilles was such an especially beautiful and new experience for me because I didn’t already know the story ☺️