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Ancient Greece: The powerful story of the mythological witch Circe
Circe
What you need to know before your trail
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and rejected by her kin. Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods: witchcraft.
When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, wrathful Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia. There she learns to harness her occult craft, drawing strength from nature. But she will not always be alone; many are destined to pass through Circe’s place of exile, entwining their fates with hers. The messenger god, Hermes. The craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece. And wily Odysseus, on his epic voyage home.
There is danger for a solitary woman in this world, and Circe’s independence draws the wrath of men and gods alike. To protect what she holds dear, Circe must decide whether she belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.
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Travel back into time BookTrail Style to meet Circe in Ancient Greece
A re-imagining and reworking of Circe, daughter of Helios, the sun god. A feminist slant on the role of women in ancient Greek society
Aiaia /Aeaea
Much takes place on the mythological island of Aiaia – there have been several suggestions as to where this could be. There are a few places in Italy which in other works, and through the years have been put forward.
Circe
Circe is a goddess of magic or sometimes a nymph, enchantress or sorceress in Greek mythology. She is a daughter of the god Helios.
She is somewhat abandoned and ill treated by her family and so seeks to make friends with mere mortals. She was renowned for her vast knowledge of potions and herbs – the art of “pharmaka” . She often used them and other items such as a magic wand or such like, to transform her enemies into wild animals.
When Circe attacks Scylla, a sea-nymph, she is banished to the mythical island of Aiaia /Aeaea
The rest of the myths are brought to life as many mythological characters such as Hermes and Odysseus also play a role in the main story. The battles are real, the witchcraft chilling and many scenes are raw and bloody as you might expect from Ancient Greece.
Booktrailer Review
A good example of a book I didn’t think I would enjoy. Themes I might not understand. But written so clearly and beautifully I was more than happy to be proven wrong. Lyrical and insightful!
Read more of TheBookTrail’s Bookreview of Circe on the blog here
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Circe
Destination: Ancient Greece Author/guide: Madeline Miller Departure Time: Ancient Greece
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