TSOA was enjoyable and well made, but Circe was another level for me. As someone who's first obsession was greco-roman mythology and studied Latin for years with a bit of classical Greek as well, but also someone who has much preferred the fantastical Odyssey to the drably violent Illiad, Circe resonated a lot more with me.
The mythological aspects were rather well thought out, and i quite enjoyed the way the author navigated the nebulous and often conflicting surviving tales we have of many of the included mythological figures to create a practical narrative. Its those smaller stories being coherently woven together for a biographical history of an ancient figure like Circe which really drew me in along with relating to some parts of her journey. It was a bit enjoying the story but also a bit of "i wonder how the author is going to incorporate X story or Y figure" that added another level of enjoyment personally.
The mythopoetic atmosphere is something i rarely find in narrative books which i enjoy, so i deeply treasure those where i find it as i did with Circe. I can see though how it can be a less engaging and fulfilling read for others who don't relate or enjoy that same sort of story telling.
nomoreiloveyous t1_j1ycnw9 wrote
Reply to comment by NewAlternative4738 in Joining the “The Song of Achilles” Appreciation Club by my-nips-hurt
TSOA was enjoyable and well made, but Circe was another level for me. As someone who's first obsession was greco-roman mythology and studied Latin for years with a bit of classical Greek as well, but also someone who has much preferred the fantastical Odyssey to the drably violent Illiad, Circe resonated a lot more with me.
The mythological aspects were rather well thought out, and i quite enjoyed the way the author navigated the nebulous and often conflicting surviving tales we have of many of the included mythological figures to create a practical narrative. Its those smaller stories being coherently woven together for a biographical history of an ancient figure like Circe which really drew me in along with relating to some parts of her journey. It was a bit enjoying the story but also a bit of "i wonder how the author is going to incorporate X story or Y figure" that added another level of enjoyment personally.
The mythopoetic atmosphere is something i rarely find in narrative books which i enjoy, so i deeply treasure those where i find it as i did with Circe. I can see though how it can be a less engaging and fulfilling read for others who don't relate or enjoy that same sort of story telling.