Printable Book Club Questions for Circe by Madeline Miller

First, if you read The Odyssey, did you remember Circe? How is she different in this book from that portrayal?
As soon as Circe is born, the odds are stacked against her. She’s a nymph with the voice of a mortal. Since she’s not ‘classically’ beautiful like her mother, or strong like her father —the rest of her family finds her useless and a pest. What were your impressions of the beginning of the book and her family’s treatment of her?
A significant moment in the book is Circe’s interaction with Prometheus where she shows him kindness. Why do you think Circe was compelled to talk with Prometheus and how was this a defining moment for her?
Why do you think Circe was curious about mortals?
Once Circe discovers her inner power, why do you think these powerful gods and goddesses feared Circe?
While her family thought banishing her would be a great punishment, it actually set her free from their mistreatment and she becomes her own person on the island Aiaia. And later on in the book, Penelope finds solace on Aiaia. What do you think it was about Aiaia that gives these women inner peace? What do you think is the contemporary version of Aiaia?
There are appearances from Hermes, the messenger of the Gods, Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus and Circe’s niece, the murderous Medea, the goddess Athena. Which one of those encounters did you enjoy the most? Which god or goddess do you wish would have shown up in the book?
Circe does indeed turn men into pigs. And she does it quite often. Let’s talk about the symbolism of her turning the men into swine.
What did you think about her relationship with Odysseus? Were you surprised she eventually trusts and falls for Odysseus despite being wronged by so many men, both God and mortal?
Despite their short-lived romance, it has a long-lasting impact with the birth of her son, Telegonus. We see how far Circe is willing to go for her son with her refusal to sacrifice him to Athena. How else does Telegonus change Circe?
The book takes a turn when Telegonus goes to Ithaca. When he comes back to the island with Penelope and Telemachus, were you surprised at their reasonings for coming to Aiaia?
What did you think about the eventual romance with Telemachus?
Circe eventually chooses her own path for how she wants to live and makes her big choice at the end. Did you like the ending? Why or why not?