Circe.
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"We are sorry, we are sorry.
Sorry you were caught, I said. Sorry that you thought I was weak, but you were wrong." - Madeline Miller.
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Born to the mighty sun Helios, Circe was not a beautiful child. Her keen yellow eyes and sharp chin revolted her mother and her father was least interested in her. Craving for love ever since she was a child, Circe gets entrusted with taking care of her younger brother Aeetes. As they grow up, she realises that Aeetes never truly loved her either. It is then that the life of Circe truly starts.
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A nymph by nature, she always had immense love and kindness towards mortals and hence discovers her magical powers while converting her beloved fisherman (mortal) into a God. When her lover desires another nymph, Circe grows wild and does something unthinkable and gets punished into exile by her father. She walks alone in an abandoned Island and weaves magic amongst nature. She walks amongst lions and wolves, grows berries which are not in the season and fiercely protects her home.
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The story talks about how Circe falls in love many a times but realises that she can never win that game. She meets mighty Gods and faces their hatred for being a witch. She defies Gods and guards her son like a lioness. It shows courage of a woman who has never had any support from her family, with a heart as big as a never ending ocean. She does good by everyone only to be casted out.
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Circe is a character that I have truly come to admire for her strength, mistakes, love and struggle. The book gives a very detailed insight about the Gods and the legends that surround them. I was in a daze as I put this book down and after, I did my research about the characters involved in the book. I haven't come across such a marvelous read about Greek mythology till date.
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I would rate this book 5/5.