CIRCE

“But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth. Such a constellation was he to me.”

This magnificent, unforgettable story was a fitting finale to a summer of fantastic books. An epic tale of Greek mythology, it is the story of the goddess Circe, shunned daughter of Helios, an outcast in her powerful family. Circe is exiled to live on a remote island, presumed to be alone forever with only the wild animals she tames for company. But as she hones her burgeoning witchcraft, she comes to know visitors who are themselves luminaries of mythology like Hermes, Daedalus and Odysseus. Ultimately Circe must choose between the world of gods, and the mortals she is drawn to - despite the finite nature of their love.

I felt a bit triumphant to complete this one, as I’ve had Circe on my shelf for years - the timing was finally right and I savored it as an end of summer treat! A tribute to female strength, determination and resourcefulness, Circe is a true marvel. For a book with such beautiful prose, it is filled with suspense, adventure, family drama and surprising plot twists. Like another favorite of mine, A Gentleman In Moscow, Circe explores whether one can find a life of meaning in solitude. But what will stay with me even more are Circe’s meditations on the limitations of mortality, making the capacity to experience joy and love all that much more sweet.

Here I’ve made a MYTHOLOGY FLATBREAD featuring ingredients from the story!
-Circe’s figs, offered to men who later face her wrath
-Hermes’s honey from thyme-fed bees
-Cheese from Telemachus’s goats
-Herbs for Circe’s spells
-Honeyed pears for Telegonus and
-Daedalus’s feast of fruit and cheese.
This was genuinely delicious and definitely one I’ll make again!