Let’s be real here: many people absolutely adore Circe by Madeline Miller. It’s been praised to high heaven, hailed as a fresh, feminist take on Greek mythology, and even called a modern classic. But here’s the thing — I really, really didn’t like it. Not even a little. In fact, I hated it. And I’m not alone. There are plenty of other readers who felt the same way, and I’ll tell you why.
I went into Circe with sky-high expectations. The cover looked stunning, with an air of mystery that promised an epic mythological adventure. I’d heard so many glowing reviews that I couldn’t wait to dive in. I’d envisioned a story about Circe, the enchanting goddess-nymph who’s famous for turning Odysseus’s men into pigs and for her complex, layered character.
I thought, okay, this is going to be a compelling story about her life — her origins, her struggles, her rise from the shadows of the gods to carve out her own destiny. But what I got was… far from that. Honestly, it was a letdown. Instead of a focused narrative about Circe herself, the novel seemed to meander through countless stories about other gods, heroes, and mythological figures I didn’t really care about.
It was as if Miller’s pen kept dropping names like Hermes, Prometheus, Zeus, Poseidon, and even lesser-known figures like Proteus and Daedalus, one after the other, without ever really anchoring the story on Circe. And that was my big mistake — expecting a character-driven story, and instead, getting a historical roll call of Greek myth.
Circe Novel Review: Why I Hated the Book
Let’s talk about expectations for a minute. When I picked up Circe, I was hoping for a narrative that centered on the goddess herself. I wanted to see her grow, face her fears, make choices, and maybe even challenge the gods who looked down on her. I wanted her story to unfold on her terms, not just as a side note in the lives of other mythological figures.
The book’s cover, the title — everything seemed to scream: “This is Circe’s story.” But nope. Instead, I found myself listening to lengthy digressions about Helios, the sun god, or about the gods’ petty squabbles, or about the backstory of some minor figure that seemed totally disconnected from the interesting, relatable goddess I thought I’d meet. And honestly? It bored me. I’m someone who loves Greek mythology, who appreciates the rich tapestry of stories, but I also want a story that’s engaging, with characters I can root for.
Circe felt like it was more about the mythological universe than about her. I kept waiting for her to step into the spotlight, but she mostly played a passive role — an observer rather than a protagonist. She was a storyteller, sure, but I didn’t find her voice compelling enough to keep me hooked. Her motivations? Vague. Her passions? Underdeveloped. She felt more like a vessel for the Greek myths rather than a fully fleshed-out character with her own adventurous life.
Name-Dropping and Mythological Jargon in the Circe Novel
One of my biggest frustrations was how the book was packed with names — Hermes, Achilles, Apollo, Daedalus, Prometheus — constantly dropping these names like some sort of mythological roll call. It was as if Miller was trying to impress us with her knowledge of Greek mythology, but it just ended up feeling like a list of the “who’s who” of Olympus.
Honestly, it got exhausting. Instead of adding depth or context, it often felt like filler — filler that didn’t serve the story or the characters. And here’s the thing: when you’re reading a novel that looks like it promises to be about Circe, you don’t want to be constantly reminded of the vast universe of Greek gods and heroes. You want to be immersed in her world, her perspective, her struggles. But instead, you’re given a laundry list of mythological figures, each introduced with the same detached tone, making it hard to connect or care.
Circe: The Audio Experience — A Snooze Fest
To overcome my boredom with reading Circe, I quickly decided it would be a good idea to listen to the audiobook version. Bad move. The narration was soothing, sure, but it almost put me to sleep with that drone-like voice. I only managed to get through about a third of the audiobook — three CDs out of ten. I figured, “If I don’t like the first third, what’s the point?” It’s kind of like watching a movie and deciding about a third of the way through — you know it’s probably not going to get better.
Listening to the story was just as frustrating because there was so little about Circe herself, and it led me to give up on the novel. I wanted a goddess-centered adventure, but what I got instead was a long, winding lecture about the gods and heroes I already know too well. Where I didn’t, I really didn’t care. Honestly, the story was dull. I kept waiting for her to make a stand, to do something defining, but instead, she just floated along.
Coming Back to the Circe Novel: Still Hated It!
After giving up on the Circe audiobook, I thought maybe I’d try reading the novel again, hoping that maybe I was missing something. Nope. It was just as uninspiring on the page. The more I read, the more I realized that Circe is basically a series of short stories about gods and mortals — stitched together without much emotional or narrative depth.
The characters, particularly Circe, failed to inspire me. She lacked agency, and her motivations were so vague that I had no care for her whatsoever. She’s supposed to be a goddess, an outsider, a powerful figure, but she mostly comes off as passive, a bystander in her own story. It’s frustrating because it seems like Madeline Miller wanted us to root for her, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t connect with her internal journey and felt nothing for Circe.
Circe by Madeline Miller: The Disappointment of the Hype
What irritated me the most was the glaring disconnect between all the hype and my personal experience. I have read plenty of reviews praising Circe, saying things like “beautifully written,” “a fantastic feminist retelling,” and “a fresh take on Greek mythology.” But for me, it was simply dull. I kept waiting for that spark, that moment of genuine connection, but it never materialized.
I think part of the problem is that I’m someone who wants an adventurous Greek mythology story — who appreciates stories with heroic characters and emotional depth. Circe, however, felt like a superficial gloss of myth — a pretty veneer that concealed a lack of real substance underneath. It promises so much but, in my opinion, delivers little more than surface-level charm.
Why I Absolutely Hated Circe: My Review and Rating
If I had to rate Circe by Madeline Miller, I’d give it a 3 out of 10. And honestly, that’s being generous, LOL. I do appreciate the effort and the incredible writing style, which are definitely impressive, but overall, it just wasn’t my kind of book. Maybe it’s because I know a bit too much about Greek mythology, or perhaps it’s because I was expecting something truly unique and different.
Maybe I just don’t get it — after all, it’s been praised by so many. Or maybe it’s because I read it from a woman’s perspective, and it just didn’t resonate with me as a guy. Whatever the reason, I can’t recommend this book to anyone. Well, I suppose if you’re someone who loves mythological name-dropping, philosophical musings, and slow-paced character development, then maybe you’ll enjoy it.
But if you’re looking for a vibrant, character-driven story about Circe — her struggles, her triumphs, her rebellions — you might be disappointed too. That said, I only got a third of the way through. Maybe things were going to head in the right direction, but I just couldn’t keep going anymore.
A Final Word: Is Circe Worth Your Time?
In the end, I think Circe by Madeline Miller is one of those books that’s heavily hyped but not universally loved. The writing is stylish, no doubt, but it lacks the exciting storyline I look for in a compelling story. So, if you’re curious, give it a try — but don’t say I didn’t warn you. And if you’re like me and find yourself bored or frustrated, you’re not alone.
Sometimes, the stories everyone raves about just aren’t the right fit, and that’s okay. There are plenty of other mythological tales out there — stories that focus on the hero’s journey, character growth, and emotional depth. Circe just isn’t one of them, at least not for me.
Here’s what Matt’s Fantasy Book Reviews has this to say about Circe. I highly recommend checking it out.
Circe and Other Greek Mythology Novels Featuring Powerful Female Characters
Check Price & Availability: CIRCE
Wow, I’m really blown away — Circe was a #1 New York Times bestseller! Plus, Amazon’s rating is an impressive 4.5 stars out of 5 from around 89,000 reviews, as of the time I did this Circe novel review. That’s incredible! It just goes to show how ignorant I must be, Matt included, LOL. Honestly, I probably shouldn’t be the one criticizing Circe — especially since I’ve got my own little novlette called Love on Oracle’s Isle. There’s no way I could even come close to matching the magic of Circe…
I didn’t enjoy LORE either — another heavily hyped book. You can read about it in this LORE book review. Maybe I should just stick to kids’ books! She Speaks: The Woman of Greek Myths is great!
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