NO BC I WANTED SOOO BAD FOR PROMETHEUS TO SOMEHOW SEE CIRCE AGAIN That small conversation, that interaction right at the beginning was the first catalyst for what Circe becomes and i wanted her to have some sort of closure to that bc i couldn't stop thinking about it! She never forgot either which was so satisfying. Edit: NO BC I WANTED HER TO TEACH PENELOPE AND THEY FALL IN LOVE😭😭😭
I’m so glad you liked Circe! I ADORED this book, Circe’s journey to self-discovery and the social commentary of it. I miiiight even like it more than The Song of Achilles, albeit I truly love both. I’ll probably be reading the other mythology retellings soon, I’m in a huge mythology mood lately. I was even considering reading The Iliad so it’s serious business 😆
I LOVED circe, tho it's a dense and slow read (it took me 4 months to read it on and off), I'm excited to see your opinion! I really wanna read Ariadne as well hehe
It IS always men, which is why I love these Greek mythological retellings ; they give voices to those previously silenced & insight into our current patriarchal societies. I’ve read quite a few, but Circe remains my favorite, followed by Clytemnestra. Appreciate the video though I’m a month tardy 📖🪱💚
It's so nice to see you again! And you're not alone - I'm currently battling out of my own reading slump 😅 The focus of Asian Readathon last month really helped 👍👍 Every time someone talks about the current wave of feminist Greek retellings, I feel compelled to mention Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin, because it's brilliant, no one talks about it, and she was years ahead of the curve (2008!)
haven't started watching the video yet but HAD to quickly comment on how much I absolutely adore your new designs you've created for your channel!!! like that intro???? BREATHTAKING (I know this isn't like the first time these designs have been used of course but I just felt the need to actually comment for once. I hope you know exactly how much we all appreciate your effort in these amazing designs and all the stuff that you do!!!!)
This was a fascinating video. I haven't read any Greek myths books but would be interested in delving into Circe. There were so many things I loved about this video! 1) Your reference to the sarah jane adventures!! Adore that series :) 2) Seeing your Bitterthorn exclusive edition. Would love to hear your thoughts on it! 3) Where did you get your shirt with the birds on it? It's so cool!! Cheers, Joel!
Fiona Benson's Vertigo & Ghost is also a really good one. It's a collection of poems on sexuality and more than a few pieces are about Zeus being a predator. Of course, not exactly a feminist retelling but Ovid's Metamorphoses is also a great book showcasing on several parts how gods make use of their power to do sexual crimes.
I absolutely love Circe! I read it a couple months after it came out and I just devoured it. Madeline Miller really knows how to write such beautiful books with so much depth and emotion. I'm actually currently reading stone blind right now and I'm really not liking the lack of Medusa and I'm also not a big fan of how Athena is portrayed as a kind of childlike whiny person because in my mind she's either deeply stoic or “I’ll do it myself” vibes From mythology so I wasn't particularly fond of that. Also currently reading Ithaca by Claire North and really liking that a lot because I'm kind of getting tired of the repetitiveness of like the Trojan War and the Trojan women. It's nice to get other people's perspective Besides the women that are constantly talked about during the Trojan War. It would be nice if we could have more mail retellings like the song of Achilles even if they're portrayed as awful men ( love a good protagonist that you hate).
yes omg im so happy when you said that about circe and penelope I WANTED THEM TO BE LIKE TOGETHER SO BAD AND THEN THEY CAN LIVE ON THE ISLAND TOGETHER WITH BOTH THERE SONS LIKE I WANTED THAT SO BAD
I really loved Circe which is why I read Ariadne a month ago and I thought it was...fine. Like, I still enjoyed it, but I didn't feel as moved as I had with Madeline Miller's books. I think one of my issues was how much saint kept relying Ovid's version of the myths, which isn't anywhere near as old as other versions. I also really liked what she did with Phaedra in the beginning and middle but I felt the jump to her final version wasn't...earned I guess is the rigght word? Like, I get how she had to get to some version of Phaedra's predominant myth but it felt clumsy. I also felt a missed opportunity in Dionysus, who has a *lot* of mythology to draw from and had one of the most predominant mystery cults that I felt overall the work didn't feel as deep as miller's works
I’ve heard great things about the Greek Mythological Feminist Retellings which really blew up and I hope it inspired other women and or queer writers to present their interpretations.
Love this! I compared Circe and The Power for my English coursework - one of the best (and my favourite) essays to write! Also, please read Fourth Wing... would be intrigued to know your thoughts :D
I have read all three of Madeline Miller's Greek retellings and loved them! Her writing and the way she weaves a story is perfection. Also, Scylla got what she deserved in Circe. 😄. I am up to date on acquiring Jennifer Saint books, but have only read 2 out of the 3 and, yes, she's like a Madeline Miller. I liked that in Elektra you did get three perspectives and I was torn between all three. When I read Ariadne I had to go back and look at the myth, and, yeah pissed me off with how men got away with everything. Thank you Kratos for killing Theseus in the game God of War 2, I feel justified. As for Natalie Haynes I have acquired almost all of her books, but I don't think I have read any yet or I have read one book, will have to consult my app for that, but even if I haven't her books have intrigued me and am excited to dive into her books. So glad you finally read Circe, I think this one made me cry more than Song of Achilles. 😊💕💕💕
I'm curious what others think: which Jennifer Saint book is the most fast-paced? I've been meaning to pick one of her books up but someone told me they can be a bit slow and right now I know if a book has a slow start it's very likely to put me in a reading slump. So I'd love to hear which options are a bit more fast paced
From what I recall, Natalie Haynes discussed in an interview that while researching Medusa’s mythos and iconography, there was little source material to pull from to justify a novel-length book, so she added in various character voices both to fill out the story and explore the thematic idea of “blindness” in a world as misogynistic as Greek Mythology. Nonetheless, it was a disappointing read. I agree that for a story supposedly about Medusa we didn’t get as much of her as we should have. In the chapters where we do explore her and her sisters it is a solid retelling, humorous, thoughtful, and emotionally compelling. But in other chapters, it feels more like Perseus’ story, or Athena’s story, or someone else’s story, and our leading lady gets pushed to the side. I can see what Natalie was aiming for, but, for me, it didn’t work as a central narrative. If Stone Blind had been advertised as a thematic take on a number of different stories, like A Thousand Ships, and not merely Medusa’s story, maybe it would’ve gone down better.
🏺Loved Circe so, so much. Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati had beautiful writing, but I wasn’t in a place to feel as sad as the story was making me. Lots of terrible men in this one, too.
Is Clytemnestra a book that wants you to hate all men or is it like "this woman is angry and hates men for valid reasons, also women can be awful too"? I found Ariadne really annoying in how it basically just made the men in the story at fault for everything and the women free of blame or at least sympathetic in a way the men were never allowed to be, which is not what I had ever gotten from the myths, where the men suck but so do the women, and that makes the story way more interesting. So if it's just like Ariadne I'm not really looking to read something like that again but if it's got nuance and allows the women to also be awful then that would be great, because the Clytemnestra myth is very cool.
Reading Greek retelling or just the myths in general, you just realise what absolute douches the men are hahaha it's true tho, so many women just gets killed or punished for no apparent reason.
You holding a little sword during this whole video is CRACKING me up
NO BC I WANTED SOOO BAD FOR PROMETHEUS TO SOMEHOW SEE CIRCE AGAIN That small conversation, that interaction right at the beginning was the first catalyst for what Circe becomes and i wanted her to have some sort of closure to that bc i couldn't stop thinking about it! She never forgot either which was so satisfying.
Edit: NO BC I WANTED HER TO TEACH PENELOPE AND THEY FALL IN LOVE😭😭😭
Circe was perfection to me👏🏻
I’m so glad you liked Circe! I ADORED this book, Circe’s journey to self-discovery and the social commentary of it. I miiiight even like it more than The Song of Achilles, albeit I truly love both. I’ll probably be reading the other mythology retellings soon, I’m in a huge mythology mood lately. I was even considering reading The Iliad so it’s serious business 😆
OMG STOP CIRCI IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS
That book is so good
I LOVED circe, tho it's a dense and slow read (it took me 4 months to read it on and off), I'm excited to see your opinion! I really wanna read Ariadne as well hehe
Happy Pride Month 🌈
The month is about to be over but I send everyone good vibes nonetheless.
Happy Pride to you, too!
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
I will never get over your channel intro ✨✨CIRCE IS ELITE
Wow I love the intro. Just so cute and cozy ❤. I also love how honest and open you are with your reviews, it’s very refreshing.
I absolutely ADORED Circe and Ariadne 🤍 Stone Blind is on my shelf rn just waiting to be read ✨
"Just girly things to consider" 😂😂😂😂 i really liked ariadne!
It IS always men, which is why I love these Greek mythological retellings ; they give voices to those previously silenced & insight into our current patriarchal societies. I’ve read quite a few, but Circe remains my favorite, followed by Clytemnestra. Appreciate the video though I’m a month tardy 📖🪱💚
💫The way Joel’s outfits match the book covers>>>
💫Exactly!! I describe Circe as witchy cottagecore myth retelling 🙌
Loving the sword microphone. A lovely addition to the new phase
Definitely loving the sword microphone! It's a keeper. Happy to hear that you enjoyed these books. I haven't read them, but maybe I would.
I can't express how much I love your videos
It's so nice to see you again! And you're not alone - I'm currently battling out of my own reading slump 😅 The focus of Asian Readathon last month really helped 👍👍
Every time someone talks about the current wave of feminist Greek retellings, I feel compelled to mention Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin, because it's brilliant, no one talks about it, and she was years ahead of the curve (2008!)
I’m new to reading and I absolutely adore your videos! ❤
10:00 This is a beautiful shot frame!!! you with Circe and the art in the background, so pretty!!!
the joy your videos bring me is unmatched ✨
I guess I have some reading to do☺️
The shirt when you were talking about Ariadne!!!
what a delight! and for my birthday! thank you
haven't started watching the video yet but HAD to quickly comment on how much I absolutely adore your new designs you've created for your channel!!! like that intro???? BREATHTAKING
(I know this isn't like the first time these designs have been used of course but I just felt the need to actually comment for once. I hope you know exactly how much we all appreciate your effort in these amazing designs and all the stuff that you do!!!!)
It’s nice to see a video from you again! It’s been quite the hiatus.
Yes! Finally! Time to relax 😌
Hope you’re doing well, love your videos❤
This was a fascinating video. I haven't read any Greek myths books but would be interested in delving into Circe. There were so many things I loved about this video!
1) Your reference to the sarah jane adventures!! Adore that series :)
2) Seeing your Bitterthorn exclusive edition. Would love to hear your thoughts on it!
3) Where did you get your shirt with the birds on it? It's so cool!!
Cheers, Joel!
I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one who watched The Sarah Jane Adventures when I was younger!
I’m glad you’re back 😌
Fiona Benson's Vertigo & Ghost is also a really good one. It's a collection of poems on sexuality and more than a few pieces are about Zeus being a predator. Of course, not exactly a feminist retelling but Ovid's Metamorphoses is also a great book showcasing on several parts how gods make use of their power to do sexual crimes.
I absolutely love Circe! I read it a couple months after it came out and I just devoured it. Madeline Miller really knows how to write such beautiful books with so much depth and emotion. I'm actually currently reading stone blind right now and I'm really not liking the lack of Medusa and I'm also not a big fan of how Athena is portrayed as a kind of childlike whiny person because in my mind she's either deeply stoic or “I’ll do it myself” vibes From mythology so I wasn't particularly fond of that. Also currently reading Ithaca by Claire North and really liking that a lot because I'm kind of getting tired of the repetitiveness of like the Trojan War and the Trojan women. It's nice to get other people's perspective Besides the women that are constantly talked about during the Trojan War. It would be nice if we could have more mail retellings like the song of Achilles even if they're portrayed as awful men ( love a good protagonist that you hate).
yes omg im so happy when you said that about circe and penelope I WANTED THEM TO BE LIKE TOGETHER SO BAD AND THEN THEY CAN LIVE ON THE ISLAND TOGETHER WITH BOTH THERE SONS LIKE I WANTED THAT SO BAD
waffles for breakfast, hot chocolate and a new Joel video? I'm having a great morning
I adore Circe so I had to read The Song of Achilles.❤
Defo recommend the wolf den by Elodie Harper, it’s based in ancient pompeii surrounding a brothel
the thumbnail title is a big and forever mood
Stop! I loved Sarah Jane adventures! Great video x
started circe yesterday!
I really loved Circe which is why I read Ariadne a month ago and I thought it was...fine. Like, I still enjoyed it, but I didn't feel as moved as I had with Madeline Miller's books. I think one of my issues was how much saint kept relying Ovid's version of the myths, which isn't anywhere near as old as other versions. I also really liked what she did with Phaedra in the beginning and middle but I felt the jump to her final version wasn't...earned I guess is the rigght word? Like, I get how she had to get to some version of Phaedra's predominant myth but it felt clumsy. I also felt a missed opportunity in Dionysus, who has a *lot* of mythology to draw from and had one of the most predominant mystery cults that I felt overall the work didn't feel as deep as miller's works
I’ve heard great things about the Greek Mythological Feminist Retellings which really blew up and I hope it inspired other women and or queer writers to present their interpretations.
THE SWORD😂
I would recommend Medusa by Rosie Hewlett in which Medusa tells her own story in 1st person.
Love this! I compared Circe and The Power for my English coursework - one of the best (and my favourite) essays to write! Also, please read Fourth Wing... would be intrigued to know your thoughts :D
I have read all three of Madeline Miller's Greek retellings and loved them! Her writing and the way she weaves a story is perfection. Also, Scylla got what she deserved in Circe. 😄. I am up to date on acquiring Jennifer Saint books, but have only read 2 out of the 3 and, yes, she's like a Madeline Miller. I liked that in Elektra you did get three perspectives and I was torn between all three. When I read Ariadne I had to go back and look at the myth, and, yeah pissed me off with how men got away with everything. Thank you Kratos for killing Theseus in the game God of War 2, I feel justified. As for Natalie Haynes I have acquired almost all of her books, but I don't think I have read any yet or I have read one book, will have to consult my app for that, but even if I haven't her books have intrigued me and am excited to dive into her books. So glad you finally read Circe, I think this one made me cry more than Song of Achilles. 😊💕💕💕
Great video. 🤩🤩
Hey Joel, are you going to make an updated version of Isaac’s reading list for Heartstopper S2??
currently working on it!
WHAT A TITLE, YES
Elektra is even better than Ariadne, you need to read it!!😍😍
I loved this video ❤️😊
I'm curious what others think: which Jennifer Saint book is the most fast-paced? I've been meaning to pick one of her books up but someone told me they can be a bit slow and right now I know if a book has a slow start it's very likely to put me in a reading slump. So I'd love to hear which options are a bit more fast paced
From what I recall, Natalie Haynes discussed in an interview that while researching Medusa’s mythos and iconography, there was little source material to pull from to justify a novel-length book, so she added in various character voices both to fill out the story and explore the thematic idea of “blindness” in a world as misogynistic as Greek Mythology.
Nonetheless, it was a disappointing read. I agree that for a story supposedly about Medusa we didn’t get as much of her as we should have. In the chapters where we do explore her and her sisters it is a solid retelling, humorous, thoughtful, and emotionally compelling. But in other chapters, it feels more like Perseus’ story, or Athena’s story, or someone else’s story, and our leading lady gets pushed to the side.
I can see what Natalie was aiming for, but, for me, it didn’t work as a central narrative. If Stone Blind had been advertised as a thematic take on a number of different stories, like A Thousand Ships, and not merely Medusa’s story, maybe it would’ve gone down better.
Please read The Silence of the Girls (#1) and The Women of Troy (#2) by Pat Barker ❤
Have you read The Secret History?
🏺Loved Circe so, so much. Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati had beautiful writing, but I wasn’t in a place to feel as sad as the story was making me. Lots of terrible men in this one, too.
Is Clytemnestra a book that wants you to hate all men or is it like "this woman is angry and hates men for valid reasons, also women can be awful too"? I found Ariadne really annoying in how it basically just made the men in the story at fault for everything and the women free of blame or at least sympathetic in a way the men were never allowed to be, which is not what I had ever gotten from the myths, where the men suck but so do the women, and that makes the story way more interesting. So if it's just like Ariadne I'm not really looking to read something like that again but if it's got nuance and allows the women to also be awful then that would be great, because the Clytemnestra myth is very cool.
I wanted to read circe but realized it involves feminism and the problem is that i am not a feminist , idk if i will still like it
Reading Greek retelling or just the myths in general, you just realise what absolute douches the men are hahaha it's true tho, so many women just gets killed or punished for no apparent reason.
Well the mic sounds good but you pointing the pointy end at your face at all times does concern me 😭😭