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TL;DR: Circe, the daughter of the sun god Helios, is mocked by her family for being plain and mortal-voiced. When she discovers she has powers of witchcraft, she transforms a rival into the monster Scylla and is exiled to the island of Aiaia. Over centuries, she meets heroes like Daedalus, Jason and Odysseus and grows into her own power.
Table of Contents
Circe at a Glance
| Author | Madeline Miller |
| First published | 2018 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | readers who want a lyrical, feminist retelling of Greek myth |
Circe is a novel by Madeline Miller, published in 2018. It follows her award-winning The Song of Achilles and retells the life of the witch Circe from Homer's Odyssey. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes sexual assault, violence and childbirth.
Main Characters
- Circe: A witch and daughter of Helios.
- Helios: Circe's powerful, cold father.
- Glaucos: A fisherman whom Circe transforms into a god.
- Odysseus: The clever hero who visits Aiaia.
- Telegonus: Circe's son with Odysseus.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Childhood
Circe grows up in her father Helios's halls, ignored and mocked by her siblings. She falls in love with a mortal fisherman, Glaucos, and uses magical herbs to turn him into a god. He falls in love with the nymph Scylla.
Exile
Jealous, Circe turns Scylla into a six-headed sea monster. When she confesses her witchcraft, Zeus and Helios exile her to the island of Aiaia. There, she studies herbs, tames lions and builds her power.
Visitors
Hermes visits her. She travels to Crete to help her sister, Pasiphaë, give birth to the Minotaur, and meets the inventor Daedalus, with whom she has a brief love. Jason and Medea stop on Aiaia. When a ship of sailors assaults her, she begins turning men into pigs.
Odysseus
Odysseus arrives and, protected by Hermes's herb, resists her spell. They become lovers for a year, and Circe gives birth to their son, Telegonus. She defies the goddess Athena, who wants the boy dead, by casting a protective spell over the island.
The ending
Grown, Telegonus sails to Ithaca to meet his father and accidentally kills him. Penelope and Telemachus come to Aiaia. Circe falls in love with Telemachus. She ends Scylla's suffering by turning her to stone and chooses to give up immortality, becoming mortal to live a full life.
5 Key Takeaways
- Women can claim their own power.
- Transformation is possible.
- Immortality is less valuable than meaning.
- Myths look different from other perspectives.
- Motherhood brings strength and fear.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Being underestimated can become a source of strength.
- Witchcraft is will, effort and practice.
- A mortal life is precious because it ends.
Who Should Read Circe?
Read Circe if you want a beautifully written, empowering myth retelling. It suits adults and older teens.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Circe:
- How does Circe change over the novel?
- Why does she choose mortality?
- How does the book reimagine Homer's Odyssey?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Circe is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Circe, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes, especially if you enjoy myths or lyrical prose. Miller brings ancient stories to vivid life, and Circe's voice is unforgettable. The pace is reflective and episodic, which some readers find slow, but most praise it as a modern classic of mythological fiction.
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What to Read Next
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: the Trojan War reimagined
- Ariadne by Jennifer Saint: another myth retelling
- The Odyssey by Homer: the original story
Related: 15 Books Like Circe You’ll Love: Greek Myths Retold With Heart
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Circe about?
The life of the witch Circe, retold from her point of view.
Who is Circe's father?
Helios, the sun god.
Why is Circe exiled?
For turning Scylla into a monster and practicing witchcraft.
Who is Telegonus?
Circe and Odysseus's son.
Does Circe become mortal?
Yes, at the end.
Is it a sequel to The Song of Achilles?
No, it stands alone.
How long is it?
About 390 pages.
Is there a TV series?
An adaptation has been announced.
Who is Scylla?
A nymph whom Circe, in jealousy, turns into a six-headed monster that later devours sailors, including some of Odysseus's men.
What are pharmaka?
Magical herbs and potions that Circe learns to use, the source of her witchcraft.
Who is Daedalus?
The great inventor of Crete, with whom Circe shares a brief love when she helps at the birth of the Minotaur.
Who are the main characters in Circe?
The main characters are Circe, Helios, Glaucos, Odysseus and Telegonus. Circe: A witch and daughter of Helios. Helios: Circe's powerful, cold father. Glaucos: A fisherman whom Circe transforms into a god.
Is Circe worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a lyrical, feminist retelling of Greek myth. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.