Circe

By: Madeline Miller

Narrated by: Perdita Weeks

"A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess's story," this #1 New York Times bestseller is "both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right" (Alexandra Alter, The New York Times).

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

With unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language, and thrilling suspense, Circe is a triumph of storytelling, an intoxicating epic of family rivalry, palace intrigue, love and loss, as well as a celebration of indomitable female strength in a man's world.

#1 New York Times Bestseller—named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, the Washington Post, People, Time, Amazon, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, Newsweek, the A.V. Club, Christian Science Monitor, Refinery 29, Buzzfeed, Paste, Audible, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Thrillist, NYPL, Self, Real Simple, Goodreads, Boston Globe, Electric Literature, BookPage, the Guardian, Book Riot, Seattle Times, and Business Insider.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Madeline Miller (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

Winner of the 2019 Indie Choice Award

Shortlisted for the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction

Named one of the 'Best Books of 2018' by NPR, The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, People, Time, Amazon, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, Newsweek, the A.V. Club, Christian Science Monitor, Southern Living, and Refinery 29.

"Circe,' [is] a bold and subversive retelling of the goddess's story that manages to be both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right."—Alexandra Alter, New York Times

"One of the most amazing qualities of this novel [is]: We know how everything here turns out—we've known it for thousands of years—and yet in Miller's lush reimagining, the story feels harrowing and unexpected. The feminist light she shines on these events never distorts their original shape; it only illuminates details we hadn't noticed before."—Ron Charles, Washington Post

"[Miller] gives voice to Circe as a multifaceted and evolving character...'Circe' is very pleasurable to read, combining lively versions of familiar tales and snippets of other, related standards with a highly psychologized, redemptive and ultimately exculpatory account of the protagonist herself."—Claire Messud, New York Times Book Review

Excellent story, amazing narration.

This story is so good. I've now listened to it several times - something I never do - and each time I discover new elements that make it such a brilliant book. Perdita Weeks' narration is equally brilliant. Her characters sound distinct, and the way she acts Circe lends her such complexity that you become completely absorbed by the story. Her voice is truly lovely and she is so talented. I hope to hear her narrate many more audiobooks.

Superb Storytelling and Narration

I could listen to Perdita Weeks read anything. Her voice is perfect for storytelling, her cadences spot-on, her characterizations fully-formed and individually thought out.
The book itself is utterly devourable.
Can't recommend enough.

velvety-voiced Circe empathetic & real

What made the experience of listening to Circe the most enjoyable?

School mythology, graphic novels, adventure/fantasy movies and recent adolescent literature have all left Circe as a footnote, a name and reputation with no substance. Madeline Miller has fleshed-out and breathed life into this daughter of Helios. Thank you!

Have you listened to any of Perdita Weeks’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I was kept captivated by Perdita Weeks as Circe. Her presentation is absolutely beautiful and kept me engaged well beyond what this well-crafted but still familiar story alone required. Her smooth voice and characterization is memorable in this reading. Ms Weeks and her sister were already established favorites from our family UK movie & TV collection. PLEASE encourage her to perform other quality books for audible!

Amazing

I really enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the story line. The narrative of the book was great

One of the best narrated stories out there

I can't tell what I liked better, the book itself, which reignited my love for Greek Mythology, or the narrator, who translated the feelings of the main character so vividly. I'm looking forward to listening more of Perdita Weeks, hopefully in combination with more work of Madeline Miller.

A very enjoyable if light reading

Written well, speaking to our childhoods of Greek myths....
It is a light and entertaining book. Quite enjoyable for the commute.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T For Circe!

Madeline Miller never strays away from the original mythology but gives you another perspective on the cunning sorceress. Just when you thought you knew everything about the characters in Greek mythology, Madeline throws you a curve ball. This has to be the BEST book I have read from the "villains" perspective. This is exactly what I wanted to read from a powerful sorceress/seductress like Circe. There were reason to her many actions and finally they have been answered. Circe takes us on a roller coaster ride starting eons ago. All the hardships, trusts, betrayals in her life and in the end she showed the world that women are not a force to be reckoned with! Her pivotal point being the scene where she naively helps those lost at sea. It changed her, I felt the pain, humiliation, torture and injustice served to her and I am glad to say I was not disappointed in the end. She rose through it all with dignity and a hunger for the respect she so well deserves.

Most enjoyable.

Beautifully performed. Enchanted yet gripping. The reading of Circe is one of depth, skill and magic.

Just loved it!

Interestingly woven retell of familiar tales from the point of view of Circe. I only listen when I'm driving because I normally hate driving, but this book made long trips whip by.

A great Greek novel

I enjoyed the audible version of this book. It kept me wanting to listen to more. I highly suggest this book.