Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Discussion is open for the December group read - Circe.

Please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot related surprises.

Posts should be exclusively about this book.

When you've finished, be sure to post in the "December Challenge: I finished!" thread.

Hi, everyone! I'm so pleased to be moderating this discussion. I read Circe several months ago and it's my favorite book of the year! I hope you enjoy it, too.

I've divided the book into four parts and will post some discussion questions at the beginning of each week. Please mark any spoilers so we don't ruin the story for people who may not have finished reading.

Week 1 (Dec. 1): Chapters 1 – 7
Week 2 (Dec. 8): Chapters 8 – 14
Week 3 (Dec. 15): Chapters 15 – 21
Week 4 (Dec. 22): Chapters 22 – 27

The author's website has wonderful information – a short clip of Madeline Miller reading aloud from the book, a photo essay, a glossary of the story's characters, and discussion questions. Check it out if you want to learn more about the book!
Madeline Miller's website

Week 1 discussion
Here are some questions to kick off our discussion. Respond to any or all of these in one or more posts. Feel free to reply to others' comments and to pose questions of your own, too.

1. Please introduce yourself and say why you chose to read Circe.

2. Circe is told in the first person, as though Circe herself is talking directly to us. Does this affect how you react to the book? Is there anything else in the writing style that you like or dislike?

3. Are there any quotations in the book that really grabbed your attention? They may be lines that relate to the plot, or to real life, or that you just like for whatever reason.

4. Circe feels different from most other immortals. Why might that be? How does she deal with her situation? What effect does her encounter with Prometheus have on her?

5. Circe believes that Glaucos and Scylla have their true selves revealed, and she says she is afraid to discover what her own truest self might be. Aeetes has another opinion on this. What do you think of the notion of a "truest self"?

6. Have you read Homer's Odyssey? If so, is Circe's story in this book what you were expecting?

1. Please introduce yourself and say why you chose to read Circe.

I'm Theresa, a NYC lawyer, who also happens to have been involved with a group in college who performed the Ancient Greek plays in Ancient Greek - very nerdy but so much fun. I was involved as stage manager -- my studies were French not the classics but from that experience I fell in love with Greek theater, myth, and legend. A friend highly recommended The Song of Achilles to me last spring, which I have yet to read. However, when I saw Circe available this summer as a deal of the day, I scarfed it up. Last month, I read it as part of a buddy read for the GR group Play Book Tag, and it was a fabulous experience resulting in an intriguing discussion! Really curious to see everyone's reactions here. I think I'm going to end up using a lot of spoiler tags though!

2. Circe is told in the first person, as though Circe herself is talking directly to us. Does this affect how you react to the book?
Absolutely. It makes it easy to identify with Circe, put yourself in her shoes.
Is there anything else in the writing style that you like or dislike?
Love the way Miller incorporates nature into her descriptions and writing in general, all grounding you in the earth, as Circe herself is grounded. However, did find there was a remoteness to the writing that made it hard to get sucked in until well into the book (about 100 pages or more).

3. Are there any quotations in the book that really grabbed your attention? They may be lines that relate to the plot, or to real life, or that you just like for whatever reason.
I did not really highlight much although I know others did. It was more that I noted an overall beauty -- how she used earthly or nature adjectives for much relating to Circe herself. Oh, and I absolutely adored the scene at the very beginning where we first find out Helios loves playing draughts (checkers) but only with himself! *snort* how else to guaranty he always wins?! Such a revealing little tidbit about Helios!

4. Circe feels different from most other immortals. Why might that be? How does she deal with her situation? What effect does her encounter with Prometheus have on her?
You learn very quickly that Circe may be immortal but that she does not, it seems, have any of the usual attributes that her siblings and other family members do - beauty, lovely voice, special gifts. She is clearly an outsider within her own family, craving love and attention, having made herself submissive to others in her quest to be accepted. Her meeting with Prometheus and the actions she takes then are her first tentative steps away from being the submissive unwanted family member.

5. Circe believes that Glaucos and Scylla have their true selves revealed, and she says she is afraid to discover what her own truest self might be. Aeetes has another opinion on this. What do you think of the notion of a "truest self"?

Really good question! I don't know that I believe there is one 'truest self'. As we mature, age, and experience life, we grow, adapt and change. We also respond to what is happening around us, and that can have a profound affect on who we are afterwards. Just think of a soldier coming back from war - s/he's not the person s/he was when s/he went to war, and often something fundamental is broken or changed within. Circe is at this point more of a reflection of what her family believes her to be than developed independent of them. (view spoiler)[ In fact, the actions she takes towards both Glaucos and Scylla really just imitate what the gods and titans do -- or how she perceives they behave. As for her fear of finding out her 'true self' -- isn't that a typical human trait? Circe is far more human than her siblings, thus she behaves and reacts more like a human than the others who inhabit their special 'gifts' with a sense of entitlement and right. (hide spoiler)]

6. Have you read Homer's Odyssey? If so, is Circe's story in this book what you were expecting?

I have indeed read -- many many many decades ago -- Homer. And I was not expecting this version of Circe's story at all! Coincidentally, earlier this year I picked up a new translation of The Odyssey by Emily Wilson - first woman translator. I am really looking forward to revisiting Circe's story as told in the Odyssey, and to view Odysseus and his men from the perspective Miller instilled.

Theresa, you can be our group's expert on ancient Greek lit! How amazing that you performed those plays in Greek!

I'd like to put in a plug for Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey that Theresa mentioned. I learned so much from Wilson's intro and translator's notes, and appreciated her sensitivity to the females in the tale. Quite honestly, though, as much as I appreciated what Wilson did, I kept losing interest in the Odyssey itself - Circe was much more interesting to me. I can relate more to Miller's Circe than to Homer's Odysseus.

Cheri wrote: "Theresa, you can be our group's expert on ancient Greek lit! How amazing that you performed those plays in Greek!

I'd like to put in a plug for Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey that There..."

You might enjoy this interview with Wilson: https://www.tor.com/2018/05/03/all-th...

Theresa wrote: "You might enjoy this interview with Wilson:.."

Thanks! It's wonderful. I especially liked what she said about casting only people of color to make a movie of the story. :)

Yay!! Just saw that the Goodreads Choice Awards have been announced. Circe won for Best Fantasy of the year!!!
https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...

I just picked it up from the library last night, so looking forward to joining the discussion soon.

Teri wrote: "I just picked it up from the library last night, so looking forward to joining the discussion soon."

Glad you'll be joining us, Teri! Enjoy the book and I look forward to your comments. :)

Week One

1. Please introduce yourself and say why you chose to read Circe.
I'm Teri. I enjoy the monthly challenges, so I like to participate when I can. I don't need to read this for the challenge as I am finished, but since I am reading at leisure, I thought I would join in. I read The Song of Achilles earlier this year and loved it so am looking forward to this one.

2. Circe is told in the first person, as though Circe herself is talking directly to us. Does this affect how you react to the book? Is there anything else in the writing style that you like or dislike?
I don't pay a lot of attention to what person the writing is in, although I do like first person accounts. It tends to make it feel more true and personal. Since this story is hers, it makes sense to use first person. What the others think of each situation doesn't matter in this story.

3. Are there any quotations in the book that really grabbed your attention? They may be lines that relate to the plot, or to real life, or that you just like for whatever reason.
The opening where it says "When I was born, the word for what I was did not exist." I couldn't wait to find out exactly what she was, as I don't know Circe's story. And then the line "When we are young, we think ourselves the first to have each feeling in the world." Couldn't be more true and it is a great way to express it.

4. Circe feels different from most other immortals. Why might that be? How does she deal with her situation? What effect does her encounter with Prometheus have on her?
Even though her family tends to treat her rather poorly, she manages to stay somewhat positive. She realized that she doesn't have the same superficial interests as most of those around her, and she learns that even the relationships she cherishes change in time. She tries to fit in but doesn't completely understand why she cannot. Her experience with Prometheus taught her about pain and suffering to a certain extent, and she shows compassion and kindness that she rarely sees around her.

5. Circe believes that Glaucos and Scylla have their true selves revealed, and she says she is afraid to discover what her own truest self might be. Aeetes has another opinion on this. What do you think of the notion of a "truest self"?
We all have a side to us that we keep hidden from the world, but I don't believe that our darkest selves are our "truest" selves. All of our inner and outer experiences and thoughts and expressions and feelings comprise our truest selves.

6. Have you read Homer's Odyssey? If so, is Circe's story in this book what you were expecting?
I have never read The Odyssey, but after having read this book and The Song of Achilles and having seen the play "The Iliad" this summer, I am determined to read both The Iliad and The Odyssey in 2019.

I just realized I haven't posted my own comments! I'll do that, and this weekend I'll post some questions for the second week. Feel free to post questions of your own, too.

1. Please introduce yourself and say why you chose to read Circe.
I'm Cheri, the leader of this discussion. I used to study medieval history and have always enjoyed ancient history and mythology. My daughter recommended Circe to me, and I read it some months ago.

2. Circe is told in the first person, as though Circe herself is talking directly to us. Does this affect how you react to the book? Is there anything else in the writing style that you like or dislike?
I was completely drawn in by Miller's writing style, which feels almost poetic with its rhythm and motion. I think the first person narrative makes the story very personal, as though I'm inside Circe's head. I also find certain of Miller's word choices very interesting, but I'll talk more about that when we get to later parts of the book.

3. Are there any quotations in the book that really grabbed your attention? They may be lines that relate to the plot, or to real life, or that you just like for whatever reason.
I agree with Teri that the opening sentence is a great first line! I thought I knew who Circe was, but it was clear from that sentence that there was a story about it to be told.

4. Circe feels different from most other immortals. Why might that be? How does she deal with her situation? What effect does her encounter with Prometheus have on her?
Circe clearly did not have the prized attributes of most other nymphs, so she found a path for herself that ended up helping her see her differences more clearly. She describes her feelings so well at the end of Chapter 2, "The thought was this: that all my life had been murk and depths, but I was not a part of that dark water. I was a creature within it." I think Prometheus was the first immortal she had ever met who did not conform to typical behavior.

5. Circe believes that Glaucos and Scylla have their true selves revealed, and she says she is afraid to discover what her own truest self might be. Aeetes has another opinion on this. What do you think of the notion of a "truest self"?
I agree with Theresa that we constantly change and adapt, but I do find myself wondering whether at some point we run our lives around a certain fairly steady core. Aeetes seems to be right when he claims that Circe was not seeing Glaucos' and Scylla's truest self, but her own ideas of them.

6. Have you read Homer's Odyssey? If so, is Circe's story in this book what you were expecting?
I had read parts of the Odyssey years ago, then after reading Circe I read Emily Wilson's new translation. Circe was not the character I was expecting, but after having discovered Madeline Miller's Circe, I was much better prepared for the issues Wilson faced in doing justice to the original's female characters.

Week 2 discussion

I hope you're enjoying Circe! We're starting week 2. Please respond to any or all of these discussion questions in one or more posts. Feel free to reply to others' comments and to pose questions of your own, too.

1. Exile to an island with no one else seems a dreadful punishment. How well do you think Circe handles it?

2. We usually hear tales about heroes from an adoring point of view, but how does Circe talk about heroes like Jason?

3. Do you like Circe herself?

4. Are there any quotations you'd like to share? Any other comments on the book?

1. Exile to an island with no one else seems a dreadful punishment. How well do you think Circe handles it?

I think she does better than most, but that's also part of the story because the exile allows her to realize her special 'power' without being smothered or constantly denigrated by the other Titans. Essentially, it allows her humanity to rise.

2. We usually hear tales about heroes from an adoring point of view, but how does Circe talk about heroes like Jason?

She sees them through the filter of her immortality and the influence of her Titan family. They are the best of humans, but still humans. Perhaps she even sees them in some ways as children? Definitely as less than god-like! Then again, Circe has reason for her cynicism towards gods, doesn't she?

3. Do you like Circe herself? Yes and no. Maybe the true answer is I admire her, but don't exactly want to have her over for dinner. I feel she'd be a lot of work to engage in conversation, LOL.

4. Are there any quotations you'd like to share? Any other comments on the book?

I'm terrible at quotations, but as for the book, I have a few things to toss out:

I think this book is as much about exile and the extreme loneliness of exile as anything else. Exile is the crucible that ultimately forms Circe into who she is -- good and bad. Doesn't exile do that to anyone who finds themselves exiled from their homeland for whatever reason? Whether seeking political asylum, a refugee for war or famine, etc. And just how incredibly lonely is exile.

And isn't it also at heart the story of a woman abused, neglected, tormented, denigrated? One who from birth is taught to doubt herself, consider herself inferior, or 'second class'? his is a woman whose inability to conform to expectations leads first to isolation and ridicule within her family and social milieu, then repudiation and banishment. She is socially awkward, non-conformist, plain, and believes she is powerless. Isn't Circe in some ways all women?

Ultimately, for me, this is a book about a woman who finally finds and becomes her true self within the crucible of exile.

1. Please introduce yourself and say why you chose to read Circe.

I'm Luffy, from One Piece. I want to be the Pirate King. I read this book because there were too many people praising it. I saw it won for best Fantasy, so I decided it was maybe a book not catered totally towards women only.

2. Circe is told in the first person, as though Circe herself is talking directly to us. Does this affect how you react to the book? Is there anything else in the writing style that you like or dislike?

It made sense, the narrator needed to be reliable. I didn't dislike anything.

3. Are there any quotations in the book that really grabbed your attention? They may be lines that relate to the plot, or to real life, or that you just like for whatever reason.

Nothing really. It was just a very, very fun read.

4. Circe feels different from most other immortals. Why might that be? How does she deal with her situation? What effect does her encounter with Prometheus have on her?

She saw herself in Prometheus. She understood him.

5. Circe believes that Glaucos and Scylla have their true selves revealed, and she says she is afraid to discover what her own truest self might be. Aeetes has another opinion on this. What do you think of the notion of a "truest self"?

That's too hard a question. We aren't given clues, it's all conjecture. In Hindu myths, the truest self is what you will be in your next reincarnation.

6. Have you read Homer's Odyssey? If so, is Circe's story in this book what you were expecting?

Haven't. Circe is a great book.

I just started reading this last night. I had hoped to listen to it but the holds list was too long on Overdrive so I am reading a physical copy. I tend to get stuck on names when I don't know how to pronounce them and since Circe is the title character I want to make sure I'm saying it right. How is Circe pronounced? I keep going back and forth while reading and it's driving me crazy!

I'm a bit late to the party. I was waiting for my hold to come through. But I have it now so will try and catch up!

Taylor wrote: "How is Circe pronounced?..."

Keerkay.

Taylor wrote: "I just started reading this last night. I had hoped to listen to it but the holds list was too long on Overdrive so I am reading a physical copy. I tend to get stuck on names when I don't know how ..."

Taylor, please don't go crazy!! ;) Luffy is right that the "official" pronunciation of Circe's name is KIR-kee, but the author herself addressed this issue for the book: "“SUR-see.” She wanted to be sure people were comfortable with the name. You can read about it here: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018...

Welcome to those of you who just joined the group! So glad to have you!

Yay! More victims - er people - to discuss this with!

On the subject of pronunciation for Circe and the other names in the book:

Once upon a time in the distant past - the mid-1970s as a matter of fact -- I was part of a group of very nerdy college students who decided to form a theater group that put on the Ancient Greek plays --- in Ancient Greek. Our first production, Euripides' Medea, even got coverage in The New York Times!

I mention this because the one thing we all understood was that no one -- at that time at least -- had any firm knowledge of how Ancient Greek was pronounced. The one thing all the classics students in the group and the classics faculty advising us agreed upon was that it was not pronounced the way modern Greek is pronounced. So what did we do? We punted, frankly, and decided to go with whatever the majority of the scholars suggested was the most likely pronunciation. And we made sure the names were whatever would be most familiar to our audience who did not know Ancient Greek and really could care less what the correct pronunciation was.

In truth, all the names are from Ancient Greek, and no one, no matter how renowned a scholar they are, actually knows for an absolute fact how any of them were pronounced. Add to that that other languages adapt the name to fit their language - think how people say 'Paris' in English but in France it is 'Paree'.

Relax, Taylor, and just say what comes naturally. Given the book is written in English, 'SirSee" makes the most sense as the pronunciation, along with 'Sylla' as opposed to 'Skylla'. And so on.

And that's how they still pronounce them in any productions put on by my alma mater's Ancient Greek Drama Group -- yes - over 40 years later, that group my nerdy friends and I founded is still putting on performances in Ancient Greek.

Oh, and my involvement was on the theater side - I was the stage manager. All those classics students needed someone with theater connections and skills to handle that side of it all.

Plus, from what I've learned in Q.I., the ancient Greeks didn't have a proper name for 'blue'. I wonder how true this is.

Luffy wrote: "Plus, from what I've learned in Q.I., the ancient Greeks didn't have a proper name for 'blue'. I wonder how true this is."

Well, you made me curious! I had read about different languages separating colors in different places on the spectrum, but I didn't know about not having a word for blue. I looked it up, and here's a fascinating article about it -- apparently, with the exception of Egypt, ancient languages did not have a name for "blue"!
https://www.businessinsider.com/what-...

Theresa wrote: "Yay! More victims - er people - to discuss this with!

On the subject of pronunciation for Circe and the other names in the book:

Once upon a time in the distant past - the mid-1970s as a matter ..."

I never studied Greek, but I studied both classical and post-classical Latin, and we went into a good bit of medieval and church Latin. Talk about differing pronunciations! There were some clever scholars who could figure out ancient pronunciations from various clues, but only to a point. There's a lot we just can't know. I agree we need to go with whatever works in the language we currently speak.

Cheri wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Plus, from what I've learned in Q.I., the ancient Greeks didn't have a proper name for 'blue'. I wonder how true this is."

Well, you made me curious! I had read about different langu..."

Thanks for the link Cheri.

Thanks everyone for the input on pronunciations! I was especially apprehensive about pronouncing Circe's name since she was the title character and it made talking about the book difficult. But I like the encouragement to just pronounce however feels natural. Thanks!
I'm quite a ways behind but here are my week 1 discussion questions.

1. Please introduce yourself and say why you chose to read Circe.

I've been wanting to read this since it came out as I'm a big historical fiction nerd and I enjoy learning about Ancient Greece. Best of both worlds here!

2. Circe is told in the first person, as though Circe herself is talking directly to us. Does this affect how you react to the book? Is there anything else in the writing style that you like or dislike?

So far I haven't noticed anything major that has made me like or dislike the book. I have noticed that there is a lot of description and I do find myself "zoning out" at some points but still catching the major details. Not sure if that's due to the writing style or my own mind not quieting down.

3. Are there any quotations in the book that really grabbed your attention? They may be lines that relate to the plot, or to real life, or that you just like for whatever reason.

Not really anything yet

4. Circe feels different from most other immortals. Why might that be? How does she deal with her situation? What effect does her encounter with Prometheus have on her?

I haven't really thought about this so much yet

5. Circe believes that Glaucos and Scylla have their true selves revealed, and she says she is afraid to discover what her own truest self might be. Aeetes has another opinion on this. What do you think of the notion of a "truest self"?

I really like the thought of a "truest self" and having that form revealed to the rest of the world. I don't know if Circe is causing the truest self to be revealed in the book or if it's how she sees the others that is being revealed but either way I do like that whole concept.

6. Have you read Homer's Odyssey? If so, is Circe's story in this book what you were expecting?

I have not but have always wanted to read The Iliad and The Odyssey together. I just need to find the time to really give it the attention it deserves.

Week 3 discussion (chapters 15-21)
Respond to any or all of these in one or more posts. Feel free to reply to others' comments and to pose questions of your own, too.


1. At the beginning of chapter 15, Circe is cleaning up after a horrendous mess of her own creation. (view spoiler)[(This is after she kills the crew of sailors who landed on the island.) (hide spoiler)] How do you feel about what Circe did? How different is it from the kind of things Odysseus has done?

2. In what ways are the mortals that Circe encounters different from the immortals?

3. What do you think of Circe as a mother?

4. Trygon, who possesses the most powerful weapon against both people and gods, says "The world you speak of is nothing to me" and lets Circe take it. Did it surprise you that there were no conditions on its use? Do there seem to be any underlying moral principles in the world that Circe inhabits?

5. Are there any quotations you'd like to share? Any other comments on the book so far?

1. At the beginning of chapter 15, Circe is cleaning up after a horrendous mess of her own creation. (view spoiler) How do you feel about what Circe did? How different is it from the kind of things Odysseus has done?

Throughout the whole book, I've felt ill will towards Circe only regarding Scylla. The rest, I can forgive. It is different. Odysseus is crafty beyond normalcy.

2. In what ways are the mortals that Circe encounters different from the immortals?

They pray. A lot. They seem humble, but their mortality doesn't preoccupy them much.

3. What do you think of Circe as a mother?

Good mother. Telegonus turned out fine, and in the end was justified.

4. Trygon, who possesses the most powerful weapon against both people and gods, says "The world you speak of is nothing to me" and lets Circe take it. Did it surprise you that there were no conditions on its use? Do there seem to be any underlying moral principles in the world that Circe inhabits?

I didn't understand this question.

5. Are there any quotations you'd like to share? Any other comments on the book so far?

I thought the author would show the rescue of Prometheus, or at least hint at it.

Luffy wrote: "I didn't understand this question...."

So sorry question 4 wasn't clear! I had a hard time framing my thoughts on this. What I was thinking was this: In some current religions we think of god/gods governing a universe with rules or purpose behind it. In Circe's world, it seems that even the gods are not truly in charge, and that everything is done by personal whim. There don't seem to be physical or moral laws. Having less power, mankind is at the mercy of the immortals, but even they don't seem to understand the workings of the universe. When Circe was able to obtain stunning power against both mortals and immortals by taking Trygon's tail, it really surprised me. I was hoping someone might have more insight into this than I seem to!

Cheri wrote: "Luffy wrote: "I didn't understand this question...."

So sorry question 4 wasn't clear! I had a hard time framing my thoughts on this. What I was thinking was this: In some current religions we thi..."

Got it. Well I don't know much about this stuff. I'll let other people reply, then maybe I'll chime in.

Week 2

1. Exile to an island with no one else seems a dreadful punishment. How well do you think Circe handles it?
She handled it quite well and created a beautiful life for herself, and she seemed relatively content. After the visit to her sister's house, though, she seemed to experience loneliness in a way she had not before. Being immortal would only be wonderful if one was living in a perfect setting, and she is not.

2. We usually hear tales about heroes from an adoring point of view, but how does Circe talk about heroes like Jason?
While she appreciates them for their heroic deeds and likely thinks of them a little more highly than other humans, they are still not gods.

3. Do you like Circe herself?
I relate to her quite a bit, feeling like an outsider when everyone else seems to fit in. She has lots of talents of her own, but when she was younger, she couldn't see them. She desperately longs to trust and love, but she's hesitant because of all that she has experienced. So yes, I do like her quite a bit and empathize with her quite a lot.

4. Are there any quotations you'd like to share? Any other comments on the book?
This section ended rather abysmally. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Teri wrote: "Can't wait to see what happens next. ..."

So glad you are enjoying the book, Teri! I really empathize with Circe quite a bit, too. I don't find her "likable" in the way you think of having fun at a party with someone, but I relate to her.

I really liked Theresa's comments about exile. And thanks to those who posted articles as they were very informative. I'd better get the next part read soon!

Cheri wrote: "Teri wrote: "Can't wait to see what happens next. ..."

So glad you are enjoying the book, Teri! I really empathize with Circe quite a bit, too. I don't find her "likable" in the way you think of having fun at a party with someone, but I relate to her."

I'm quite sure I wouldn't want to hang out with any of the gods at a party. They are entirely too dismissive of humans and way too unpredictable. It would be terribly frightening.

I actually think that December is probably the worst month to read Circe and have a discussion. This book is a slow read. Takes time to get into it and often is not all the exciting. I call it a journey, and it's only when you reach the end that you look back over what you just read and realize exactly how amazing it is.

December is a very hectic, overloaded, busy, stressful month for people, regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas, because others around you do AND it is year end. Not a month for a rather serious and slow read, IMHO.

I'm very glad I read it during November for a discussion in another group! I'm pretty sure it would have been DNF had I slated it for this month.

Week 3 Answers - realized I had not posted!

1. At the beginning of chapter 15, Circe is cleaning up after a horrendous mess of her own creation. (view spoiler) How do you feel about what Circe did? How different is it from the kind of things Odysseus has done?

Circe reacted out of fear and anger (view spoiler)[ after being brutally assaulted (hide spoiler)] . I see nothing to forgive. For Circe, that was self-defense. She is a god after all and how she reacts includes strengths and powers of the gods. Odysseus is a crafty, smart devil. Most of the things he's done were not necessarily self-defense, but yet still were protective in some ways. I do like however how Miller gives a somewhat different perception of his character than you have from Homer and myth.

2. In what ways are the mortals that Circe encounters different from the immortals?

Far less aware of their own powers and strengths, more easily cowed than immortals. Mostly accepting of their mortality and not necessarily seeing it as a bad thing.

3. What do you think of Circe as a mother?

Just like any other mother - loving, possessive, overwhelmed, courageous, supportive and nurturing.

4. Trygon, who possesses the most powerful weapon against both people and gods, says "The world you speak of is nothing to me" and lets Circe take it. Did it surprise you that there were no conditions on its use? Do there seem to be any underlying moral principles in the world that Circe inhabits?

I think morality exists in this story as a human attribute, and therefore it is either absent or mostly suppressed in those that are gods and fully immortal. Circe may have immortality but she's also very human - she's a witch. Morality is therefore present in her to a larger degree than in her siblings, or in Helios, or her mother.

As for Trygon's weapon - remember it can only be employed by those who 'win' it so to speak, and what had to be done to 'win' it speaks to the presence of morality in the seeker, doesn't it? After all, it took (view spoiler)[ potentially losing her immortality, but definitely enduring great pain, to gain it (hide spoiler)].

Week 3

1. At the beginning of chapter 15, Circe is cleaning up after a horrendous mess of her own creation. How do you feel about what Circe did? How different is it from the kind of things Odysseus has done?
I was honestly quite amused that she (view spoiler)[turned the men into pigs after her rape (hide spoiler)]. That's hilarious and appropriate. It would be great if all women under those circumstances could do the same thing. She doesn't seek to hurt other people unless they hurt her or someone she loves. Odysseus, on the other hand, loves the fight and will enter one for any reason. He thinks with his fists first.

2. In what ways are the mortals that Circe encounters different from the immortals?
It is a completely different mindset when you know your life could end at any moment depending on your circumstances and choices versus knowing that you have forever to overcome any difficulties. Being mortal makes everything a little more urgent. Being immortal seems to make everything matter less. As Circe says, "I thought once that gods are the opposite of death, but I see now they are more dead than anything, for they are unchanging, and can hold nothing in their hands."

3. What do you think of Circe as a mother?
She does as good a job as she can, considering her circumstances. She is fiercely protective (view spoiler)[ which makes sense considering a god wants to kill her son (hide spoiler)]. Her son, even when he disagrees with her, knows that she loves him and would do anything for him.

4. Trygon, who possesses the most powerful weapon against both people and gods, says "The world you speak of is nothing to me" and lets Circe take it. Did it surprise you that there were no conditions on its use? Do there seem to be any underlying moral principles in the world that Circe inhabits?
It was surprising to me that Trygon seemed pretty unconcerned about how she would use the weapon. Once she passed his test, he trusted that she would use it well.

5. Are there any quotations you'd like to share? Any other comments on the book so far?
Trygon made a comment which I liked. While Circe thought to herself that "I cannot bear this world a moment longer," Trygon tells her "Then, child, make another." This is along the lines of what I try to tell myself when I get frustrated with the world around me.

Also, "It is a common saying that women are delicate creatures, flowers, eggs, anything that may be crushed in a moment's carelessness. If I had ever believed it, I no longer did." I have no idea why the idea that women are soft and fragile ever came about, but it is so not true.

Ugh, after powering through almost half of the book this weekend I've been in a slump! Hoping to catch-up/finish the book this weekend! I've been having a difficult time with the in-depth descriptions and lack of dialogue. Not that it's a bad thing, I just think that is what is slowing me down!

Merry Christmas one and all!! Sorry, things have been crazy with the holiday. I'll catch up today or tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a wonderful time!

Week 3 discussion (chapters 22-end)
Respond to any or all of these in one or more posts. Feel free to reply to others' comments and to pose questions of your own, too.

Sorry, I have been traveling and getting a chance to get online was much harder than I had anticipated! I hope you all have been enjoying a wonderful holiday. I get home tomorrow and then have a number I've comments I'd like to contribute to the discussion. In the meantime, here is the final set of discussion questions.

1. I have a friend who has taught The Odyssey in her college history classes for years, and now she wonders whether Circe might reach the students better. What do you think?

2. The Washington Post just announced that Circe was voted Best Book of the Year by their Book of the Month members. Do you think it deserves the win? Does it rank among one of your favorite books this year?

3. What do you think of Circe's final choice? Do you hope the spell succeeds for her? Does it bother you that the author does not let us know what happens?

4. Does the story of Circe seem ancient to you, or does it feel modern? Or both?

5. Any further comments?

I'm finally at a computer with a real keyboard - I really hate using virtual keyboards!

1. I have a friend who has taught The Odyssey in her college history classes for years, and now she wonders whether Circe might reach the students better. What do you think?

I actually think this might be a good way to introduce kids into the idea of reading the Odyssey. I certainly plan to read it again - probably soon. I don't think it should completely replace it though because there is so much more to the Odyssey. Perhaps introduce sections of the Odyssey alongside Circe? I remember being given just the Cyclops section to read in 7th Grade as part of an introductory syllabus. It actually whetted my appetite for more.

2. The Washington Post just announced that Circe was voted Best Book of the Year by their Book of the Month members. Do you think it deserves the win? Does it rank among one of your favorite books this year?

Definitely personally ranked as a top book read for the year, and I'm rather pleased it won the WP vote. Too often the books voted are really grim or sad or male-centric. I see Circe as a real change of pace, a good one.

3. What do you think of Circe's final choice? Do you hope the spell succeeds for her? Does it bother you that the author does not let us know what happens?

I absolutely believe the spell works, that she is actually 'seeing' her future in the vision she relates. I actually believe the author is giving us the answer by telling us in such detail that vision. Because it is the moment that the truth about truest self is revealed -- that Circe has learned that the truest self is who you believe you are or can be in your deepest being. Most never look that deeply. But after so long in exile, Circe learned to look. I was proud of her, that she had the courage to reach for it, to make the ultimate choice, the ultimate sacrifice. I actually think it was presaged in the entire Trygon scene.

4. Does the story of Circe seem ancient to you, or does it feel modern? Or both?

It's ageless. It addresses core humanity - from loneliness, exile, to self-knowledge and acceptance, as timeless as the Odyssey itself.

I had my book taken back by the library when it was put on hold so have had to take a break and will finish this book in 2019. But I'll answer the discussion questions for as far as I have got.

Week 1

1. Please introduce yourself and say why you chose to read Circe.
I'm Jess, 27 and living in London. This book has been everywhere this year so I just had to get in on the hype.

2. Circe is told in the first person, as though Circe herself is talking directly to us. Does this affect how you react to the book? Is there anything else in the writing style that you like or dislike?
Whilst 3rd person omnipotent is my favourite style I have no problems with 1st person particularly in past tense (at least it isn't the horrible 2nd person). I think it adds to the feeling of getting the 'real story' behind the myths.

3. Are there any quotations in the book that really grabbed your attention? They may be lines that relate to the plot, or to real life, or that you just like for whatever reason.
I don't tend to pick up on particular lines in books but (view spoiler)[Glaucos' transformation (hide spoiler)] was a beautifully written section.

4. Circe feels different from most other immortals. Why might that be? How does she deal with her situation? What effect does her encounter with Prometheus have on her?
In a world of perfection Circe is slightly imperfect. It makes her an individual but also someone who is rejected by the other immortals. Her encounter with Prometheus embodies a keen sense of justice in her and sparks her compassion which constantly holds her back.

5. Circe believes that Glaucos and Scylla have their true selves revealed, and she says she is afraid to discover what her own truest self might be. Aeetes has another opinion on this. What do you think of the notion of a "truest self"?
I agree with Aeetes. These were not 'true self' transformations but what Circe wanted them to be. However, this also means that Circe may be able to transform herself if she can figure out who she wants to be,

6. Have you read Homer's Odyssey? If so, is Circe's story in this book what you were expecting?
I have not read Odyssey but have a basic familiarity with the plot as well as other stories in Greek mythology. I am sure I will pick up on more references as the story continues.

Week 2

1. Exile to an island with no one else seems a dreadful punishment. How well do you think Circe handles it?
I really felt for Circe. I would hate to be isolated in this way. I think she handles it well by taking it as an opportunity to hone her craft.

2. We usually hear tales about heroes from an adoring point of view, but how does Circe talk about heroes like Jason?
As an immortal, all mortals are below Circe so she can give an honest assessment of their character beyond their deeds. She can separate the truly skilled like Deadalous from those whose deeds have been exaggerated.

3. Do you like Circe herself?
I do like Circe. I loved her discussion with her sister. She could have used her magic to become powerful but has mainly used it in just ways. The only exception was Scylla and she still feels remorse for this act years later. As mentioned before, she has a strong sense of both justice and compassion.

4. Are there any quotations you'd like to share? Any other comments on the book?
I like how the myths are entwined into the book. Circe just drops into the lives of these characters for a short amount of time and leaves a slight impact on their bigger story.

Jess wrote: "As an immortal, all mortals are below Circe so she can give an honest assessment of their character beyond their deeds. She can separate the truly skilled like Deadalous from those whose deeds have been exaggerated. "

What a wonderful way of putting this! I so agree!

I loved her discussion with her sister. She could have used her magic to become powerful but has mainly used it in just ways. The only exception was Scylla and she still feels remorse for this act years later. As mentioned before, she has a strong sense of both justice and compassion.

Yes - and I see that as part of her human side. I never got the impression that any of the Titans or other gods without any human or mortal aspects ever could either feel remorse or resist using their magic only to become more powerful.

Week 4

1. I have a friend who has taught The Odyssey in her college history classes for years, and now she wonders whether Circe might reach the students better. What do you think?
I haven't read The Odyssey (this may be the year), but it seems like Circe would be a good way to introduce some of the story in a way that may be more accessible.

2. The Washington Post just announced that Circe was voted Best Book of the Year by their Book of the Month members. Do you think it deserves the win? Does it rank among one of your favorite books this year?
It was definitely one of my favorite reads this year, and it deserves any award it gets.

3. What do you think of Circe's final choice? Do you hope the spell succeeds for her? Does it bother you that the author does not let us know what happens?
I think her final choice is a wonderful one. Living isolated forever would not be ideal. I didn't mind the way the author left the ending a bit ambiguous, although I am certain that the dream foretold her future.

4. Does the story of Circe seem ancient to you, or does it feel modern? Or both?
Both. While some of the ideas are ancient, human nature apparently doesn't change as much as one would like.

5. Any further comments?
I am so glad I read this book.