My favorite book read last year was also my only book to receive 5 stars, and it also happened to be the last book I finished last yea. It’s also notable that it;s the first book by this author that I have read, but undoubtedly not the last.
Madeline Miller has a new fan. I’ve always been fascinated by mythology, and the tales of haughty, impervious gods, and heroic, foolish mortals, and their interactions. But it’s the goddesses and heroines, who are lesser characters usually, that are the most fascinating. Miller’s novel, Circe, explores the life of a lesser goddess, daughter to a Titan and a nymph, and a witch, whose great powers come not from her divinity, but her will. In this compact, yet sprawling novel, we follow Circe’s troubled youth, leading ultimately to her exile, where she comes into her own, mastering both her fiery spirit, and her formidable powers. Other notable figures of Greek myth surround her, including the monstrous Scylla, the clever Daedelus, the horrific Minotaur, and the mighty Odysseus. Then there are the gods themselves, Hermes, Athena, Helios, and Zeus, whose uncaring, manipulative ways are in stark contrast to Circe’s compassion.
Miller’s prose is eminently readable, yet poetic and lovely. Her turns of phrase are startling, and her lengthy descriptions are surprisingly compelling. There are long passages when Circe is the only character, so there is no dialogue to break up the flow of words. I was thoroughly enchanted.
I only read a total of 27 books last year, with one re-read. I had a a lot of fun revisiting C.J. Cherryh’s novel, The Gate of Ivrel. I also read a couple of real stinkers, which will remain unnamed on this blog. And just as a reminder, here is the list of the Top 15 books read in 2002:
- Circe by Madeline Miller
- The Overstory by Richard Power
- Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
- Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh
- Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley
- The Presence of Absence by Simon Von Booy
- Weather by Jenny Offil
- Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh
- American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- Engines of Oblivion by Karen Osborne)
- Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
- Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
- Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire
- My Hearts is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones