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In 'Mestra,' Madeline Miller combines shape shifting, Greek gods and feminism

The cover of "Mestra" and author Madeline Miller. (Courtesy of Ecco and Nina Subin)
Courtesy of Ecco and Nina Subin
The cover of "Mestra" and author Madeline Miller. (Courtesy of Ecco and Nina Subin)

Eight years after author Madeline Miller released her creative, feminist portrayal of the the Greek goddess and sorcerer Circe, comes “Mestra,” Miller’s take on the story of the shape shifting daughter of the King of Thessaly, first noted in Ovid’s “Metamorphosis.

Part horror, part adventure, part suspense, it’s also the story of a father-daughter relationship gone terribly wrong. And it’s a morality play: are we bound to save a family member whose curse has been befallen them through their own hubris and arrogance? Miller reimagines a powerful female figure whose gifts and talents are worthy of celebration.

Miller joins host Robin Young to discuss the book, as well as Miller’s debilitating bout with long COVID-19, and her delight that the recent Barry Nolan “Odyssey” movie has brought the Greek classics back into the mainstream.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR

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Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

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