Kreeger Reads

Summary               Circe played an assisting role to many of Greek mythology's most famous heroes; Jason and Odysseus being examples. However, in Madeline Millers most recent novel, she plays second fiddle to no one- finally telling her own story as she lived it. The novel weaves her role in many of the most well known myths together: the Odyssey , Scylla, Prometheus, and Jason and the golden fleece. Review        As you can probably tell from past books I have reviewed, Circe seems a bit out of my genre. However, I chose to read this book because Miller's first novel, The Song of Achilles , is my favorite of all time. I think that is what made this piece so frustrating for me. I want to preface this review by saying I did not hate it, but I would not read it again. I think the reason Circle was a flop for me was because the character it followed simply was not intriguing enough. From interviews I have read, Miller's mai...

Summary        McCann's As Meat Loves Salt follows Jacob Cullen, a former gentleman turned servant, through the tumultuous civil war that plagued seventeenth century England. A reflection of the war-torn and class-torn country itself, Jacob battles madness. His dark humor and passion color his relationships throughout the novel- whether it be his family, fellow soldiers, community members, or the man he is obsessed with. Review        To review this book first requires me to take a *deep* breath. I have read many novels in my life, the majority of which end sadly. However, I have never read a book like this- a book this dark. As any reader will discover, Jacob Cullen is insane (Note: I use the term insane in the colloquial term, not the scientific. I will make mention in the side notes at the end my thoughts on applying psychology to this novel).  I would not call Jacob a protagonist as that alludes to him being a heroic character, but ...