Circe

About the book

On the island of Aiaia, the exiled nymph Circe transforms from a rejected daughter of the sun god Helios into a formidable witch. Banished for practicing pharmaka—the art of using herbs to alter reality—she spends centuries refining her craft in isolation. Her sanctuary becomes a crossroads for mythic figures, including the craftsman Daedalus and the strategist Odysseus. As she navigates the cruel politics of the Olympian pantheon and the violent whims of passing sailors, Circe protects her autonomy by turning threats into swine. The narrative follows her evolution from a fragile divinity into a self-determined sorceress who eventually chooses mortal vulnerability over the stagnant cruelty of the gods.

Readers interested in Greek mythology and the reclamation of sidelined female figures will gain a specific perspective on the internal lives of ancient deities. The book appeals to those who enjoy character-driven historical fiction and the intersection of domestic labor with arcane power. A person walks away with a clear understanding of how defiance against inherited status functions and how personal agency is built through solitary work and ethical choices.

Details

Published

2018

Publisher

Little, Brown and Company

ISBN

9780316556347

Language

EN