Circe

Circe is the daughter of the sun god Helios and a water nymph, born into a world of Olympians and Titans, where she is dismissed as powerless and strange. Her voice is odd, her looks are unremarkable and she is more interested in mortals than in the glittering family she grew up with. When she discovers that she has a gift for witchcraft, she is banished to a remote island, Aiaia.

Over centuries of exile, she hones her craft and meets many of the great figures of Greek myth, including Daedalus, the Minotaur, Medea and Odysseus, who comes ashore on her island. The book is told in the first person, in a calm, observant voice, and retells these old stories from the viewpoint of a woman who has seen the immortals' worst behavior. She raises a son alone, defends her island against sailors who see a woman by herself as easy prey, and learns that even immortals must choose who they want to be. It is as much about finding independence and self-knowledge as about legend.

Lyrical, intimate and full of famous myths seen from a fresh angle. Close to 390 pages. Wonderful for fans of Greek mythology and strong, complex heroines.