.Virtual Book Club

Circe

by Madeline Miller

From the author's website: 

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 page-turning 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.

*** WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD! ***

Each week, VBC discusses sections of the book together. Below is a collection of weekly discussion questions posed by VBC leadership and members. Be aware that these likely include spoilers, so please do not scroll further if you have not read the book.

Week 1: Orientation meeting

• Did you read (The Song of Achilles) with VBC?
• Circe, like a former VBC selection by Madeline Miller (The Song of Achilles), is rooted in ancient Greek mythology and history, and specifically inspired by the Illiad and the Odyssey. How familiar are you with the Illiad and the Odyssey or Greek mythology in general? Do you feel that will influence your enjoyment this book?
• Have you ever read or watched any other re-imaginings of Greek mythology? Which ones? How do you think this may differ?
• Do Greek myths matter in our modern world? Why or why not?
• What is your first impression of the cover art? How much does cover art effect you as a reader?

Week 2: Chapters 1-8

• Circe’s childhood is described in depth in these early chapters. How do you suspect her early experiences with her family may continue to shape her in the future?
• What does the scene with Prometheus tell us about Circe? Why do you think this scene may be important?
• Circe seems to be fascinated by mortals. Why do you think this is? How do we see that impacting her so far in the book? What might the outcome of her interests be as the book continues?
• How does Circe finding out about how her abilities with pharmaka change Circe as a character?
• Circe’s powers turn Glaucos into a boastful sea god, and Scylla into a vengeful sea monster. Do you think these changes were inherent in them (as in this is the manifestation of their true selves) or do you think Circe created them this way on purpose? Explain.
• Circe’s ability to transform living things into other things with the power of herbs makes the other gods see her as dangerous, leading to her banishment. How might this banishment impact Circe and her powers?
• What was your favorite scene from the book so far?

Week 3: Chapters 9-14

• What do Hermes and Daedalus' reactions to Circe as she has grown in her abilities show us about how the gods and mortals may view her now?
• Pasiphae, Circe's sister, commands Circe to help her with her new birth in Crete. Why do you believe she needs Circe? How do you think this visit affects Circe at that time, and how might it figure into her future?
• Daedalus tells Circe, “A golden cage is still a cage.” What does he mean by this? Why do you think this resonates so much with Circe?
• Pasiphae, Circe’s sister, tells her “The only thing that makes them listen is power.” By the end of this section, has Pasiphae been proven right through Circe’s experiences? How or how not?
• How do you think the final violent scene of this chapter will impact Circe as the book continues?
• Circe meets many new characters in this section. Who was the most memorable to you, and why?
   

Week 4: Chapters 15-20 and Chapters 21-27

• Circe struggles to find a place for herself as a woman in a man’s world. What parts of her experience resonate with modern day challenges that women face?
• Circe is interested in Penelope from the moment she hears about her from Odysseus. What draws her to Penelope? Does this change over time?
• How does Circe’s relationship with her father change over the course of the book? What do you make of their final conversation?
• Circe wonders if parents can ever see their children clearly. She notes that so often when looking at our children “we see only the mirror of our own faults.” What parts of herself does she see when she looks at Telegonus? What are her strengths and weaknesses as a parent to him?
• We see numerous powerful characters abusing their positions throughout the story. Are power and abuse necessarily connected? Are there any models for power without cruelty in the novel?
• Circe’s gift is transformation. How does she transform from the beginning of the novel to the end? Why does she ultimately choose the path she does?