CIRCE by Madeline Miller - MARKO BOOK CLUB REVIEW #9

[@MissReneeD]

I picked this up from my local library because it was your recommendation for January and I definitely do not regret it! Like you, it took a bit of time to get into the story, but once I started to see some real character development in Circe, I couldn't put it down. Madeline Miller was able to humanize Greek mythology and attach deep emotion to her inventive re-imagining of the classics through Circe's perspective. As a reader, I felt incredibly connected to Circe, and it was honestly incredible how Miller could seamlessly connect moments of Circe's life across a huge expanse of time while maintaining amazing depth of Circe's character and life story. Thank you for the recommendation and I look forward to reading Overstory!

[@dianagb9770]

The best book I've read in ..years! Amazing!!! And the author is such a great role model ..I hope she makes this a series!

[@outlandersabroad1373]

Fascinating, this totally brought me back to my Hercules/Percy Jackson filled childhood, and aside from High School assignments I never went back into the world of Greek Gods and all that. The way you described it made me genuinely interested to take another look as an adult into that world. Keep up the great work Marko! Congrats on Vagabrothers hitting 1 mil, I know you're taking a break right now but that's such an awesome achievement I just finished reading Name of the Wind of the Kingkiller chronicles, and am now on "The Wise Man's Fear". Slow start, but I am so invested now. Really love it

[@stefanigonzalez6855]

I love Athena. It stayed true to her character. She’s always gone against women so I wasn’t too surprised with her story line but she’s still my favorite. Thank you again for the amazing book recommendation. Madeline Miller’s twist to Greek Mythology are always worth the read

[@RunTheAtlas]

My favorite Greek god is Zeus god of gods. Check out Delphi, the mythical Greek City - vlog in my channel 🎥

[@AVtothe7thpower]

Great pick this month Marko! I picked this one up, it was great. Like you, also a fan of Greek Mythology! I agree, Miller does an amazing job vividly depicting the Minotaur story line. Also, I really like the way she humanizes gods like Hermes, who happens to be my favorite! Hermes doesn't have the most likable characterizations in the novel either but has a rad sense of humor. Looking forward to connecting on the Overstory! Keep doing what your doing, and congrats on your new adventure :)

[@Caperhere]

I’ve listened to Song of Achilles. It’s a good read, well paced, , good character development.

[@FrancoMonet]

Just hit order on Amazon, thanks Marko.

[@SampsfaN]

Is this the large print edition?

[@andhicook8021]

I tried to read Circe a bit ago but, unlike you, I gave up when I just couldn’t get into it. Your review makes me want to give it another go because I really did like the premise of the story being retold from a minor female character’s perspective (kind of reminds me of The Mists of Avalon). Thank you for having diversity in your book choices. Be safe on your journeys and have fun 🙏🏼😋

[@margeanderson2918]

I find what is perceived as feminine in this book is actually rich nature writing. Miller’s sumptuous descriptions of the underwater world and later the seasons on her island, or the natural energies tied to a god’s arrival, are a more holistic, female way of experiencing the world. Can’t wait for The Overstory - it was my best book of 2019.

[@zacharyjdavy]

Marko! Look into The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. I haven’t actually read it so this recommendation is based on hype. It comes out in paperback on March 1st

[@manisharegalla1064]

Just ordered the book a few days ago, can't wait to dig into it! Also, if you're interested in getting into female perspectives on history, religion and mythology, I'd suggest the book Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It is a condensed version the Hindu epic Mahabharat told from the perspective of the its female "protagonist". Sounds daunting, I know, but it's actually a very easy read. You'd just have to google the main storyline of the Mahabharat and get a rough understanding of it first. Cheers, can't wait for the next one!

[@MarkoAyling]

That’s such a great tip! Would love to read both that book and the original Mahabharat, which I’ve only heard stories from. I wonder... is there a good audiobook version? That’s how i recently brushed up on the Odyssey. These epics were originally oral stories and that’s how they are best experienced even today!

[@manisharegalla1064]

@@MarkoAyling Agree about the oral story part! I grew as an immigrant and my best understanding of the Hindu epics is just from hearing older relatives tell me random stories from them! I think you should check out Jaya by Devdutt Pattanaik (www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/jaya-an-illustrated-retelling-of-the-mahabharata/382249) for. I'm usually very hesitant to read modern re-tellings of Hindu religious texts because they tend to be marred by political and cultural biases, but his work is very well researched and credible.

[@xusanchez6142]

Apolo & Artemisa are my favorite. Apolo because he became very wise after being very crazy and is a musician and a healer and her sister because she loves animals, nature and have a very strong character so I feel identified with her 😂 I love and respect that you want to understand a woman's perspective in the book and you are sensitive enough to catch it. Good for you! More men like you 🙂✌🏾

[@stargazer5073]

How's your book coming?

[@AceHardy]

📙💯

[@stargazer5073]

How are you traveling the world with the coronavirus? Please be safe!!

[@stargazer5073]

Go to Longyearbyen

[@Dexter-vj2lr]

I like posidon the water god