Latest news with #Circe
Buzz Feed
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
The Good, The Bad, And The Unhinged: 5 Books For Those Who Love Messy Female Characters
For every Walter White that has multiple fanboys lining up to defend him on social media, there seems to never be the same love for a problematic, angry, or downright despicable female character. Sarah Jessica Parker recently talked about how audiences are more critical of female characters making bad decisions and honestly, she's right. Whether it be in real life, on screen, or even in books, women just aren't always given the same space to be messy, self-destructive, or morally grey without being completely written off by fans. So if you, like me, love your main characters flawed, complicated, and a little (okay, a lot) unhinged, here are 5 books that deliver just that. 1. Luster by Raven Leilani 2. Post Traumatic by Chantal V. Johnson 3. The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw 4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 5. Circe by Madeline Miller
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bird Names Are One of the Biggest Baby Name Trends for Gen Beta
So….there's a unique baby trend on the horizon. Babycenter discovered that for Generation Beta (those born in 2025-2039), there is a huge name trend already: with bird baby names. Now, we already know that nature names have been all the rage in the 2020s, from flower names to oceanic names. But now, enter the ever-so-cool bird-like baby names. You may be like, 'Bird names? Seriously?' But hear us out: there are so many bird baby names, and they're all so unique and beautiful. The site even reported that names like Cardinal, Robin, Raven, and Mavis have been rising in the ranks! But this got us thinking: What other unique bird names are there? Well, there's a lot more than you may think! There's Lark, Kestrel, Sparrow, and more; including a few celebrity-approved baby names that they give their own kiddos! So what are you waiting for? Spread your wings and soar into the world of bird names, and fall in love with all the unique baby names you may not have considered before! More from SheKnows These Are the Top Trending Baby Names in the U.S. Right Now, According To Google Best of SheKnows These Are the 36 Celebrities with the Most Kids 15 Celebrity Parents Whose Kids Went to Ivy League Schools Tween & Teen Slang 2025: A Definitive Guide to 'What the Hellyante' Your Kid Is Saying Right Now Aderyn isn't the name of a bird, but it's a gorgeous unisex Cornish name that literally means 'bird.' So you still get the bird vibes, but with a unique name many may not know about! Another birdlike name is Avis, a truly stunning girls name that's Latin for 'bird.' The name Aya has many different meanings, all over the world. However, if you look at the Hebrew meaning, Aya is a name linked to the 'honey buzzard' and birds in general. (And if you're wondering: it's Japanese for 'colorful,' Danish for 'happiness,' and Arabic for 'verse.') You may call it on the nose, but we call it adorable. The name Birdie is quite simple: it's English for bird, but it has so much personality attached to it. Fun fact: two celebrity mamas have named their children birdie, Actress Busy Philipps and soap star Maura West! Just throwing this in there to see if you were paying attention! While Buzzard isn't exactly a common name, the nickname Buzz is. It's strong, bold, and totally easy to remember! Who doesn't love the lil yellow bird? If you love them as much as we do, then chances are you love the name Canary, which is literally English for 'small bird.' Cardinal is a powerful, gorgeous red bird that always catches your eye, so it's no wonder that name has been growing in popularity (especially after Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden used it for their son)! Not only is the name Circe Greek for 'bird,' but it's linked to Circe, the Greek enchantress and daughter of Helios! So it's basically a two-in-one name! If you want a truly unique bird name, then you gotta check out the unisex Welsh name Deryn, which means 'bird.' Plus, it's a vintage name from the 1950s, so you get that cool eclectic vibe as well. The name Dove is not only a gorgeous girl bird name, but it's associated with beauty and peace. And if you're a fan of Dove Cameron, there's even more reasons to name your baby girl that! Eagle is a patriotic bird name that's both strong and powerful; which is perfect for your baby boy! The name Halycon is based on the 'Kingfisher bird,' and is linked to the Greek mythology surrounding the Halycyone, a mythic bird who could calm the seas. Plus, if the name looks familiar to you, it's the name of Ellie Goulding's second album! Think Tony Hawk, or the iconic, strong bird you randomly see on a Tuesday. The name Hawk carries a lot in the name: it's strong, and has so much symbolism behind it, including themes of success, power, and wisdom. So, as many now, Jay is a boy's name of Latin origin meaning 'jaybird,' and also known for the bird, Blue Jay. While Jay can be a nickname for a bunch of different names, it's so powerful on its own, especially since the blue jays are associated with courage. Kestrel is a striking unisex name that's not only unique, but it's the perfect name for those who love birds. Plus, there's so much mythology surrounding them in so many cultures, with many linking back to how full of wisdom they are. Lark is one of the most uncommon names for both girls and boys, and we have no idea why! They're not only cute birds with a cool name, but they're also linked to enlightenment. While you may associate Mavis with the vampire character in Hotel Transylvania, it's actually a beautiful French name meaning 'songbird.' Fun fact: the name Myna is associated with a bird in the starling family! However, the name has a totally different meaning: it's Latin for 'of the mind, intellect.' It's dark, it's gothic, it's mysterious, and it's the perfect girl's name! The name Raven has so many links to pop culture, as well as the dark bird; so take your pick as to why you wanna grab this name for your baby girl! Let's face it: Robin is the quintessential baby bird name. But did you know that it's also an English name meaning 'bright fame'? The name Sparrow is growing in popularity, and for good reason! It's a beautiful, poetic baby girl name, and it's a favorite from celebrities like Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, who named their daughter Sparrow! Fun fact: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend named one of their children Wren, and it's become a popular bird name. Not only is it a unisex name meaning 'small bird,' but it's such a cool name.
Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
10 books that breathe new life into Greek mythology
Written By Prachi Mishra Greek mythology and its stories of love, power, betrayal, and tragedy have fascinated many generations. But let's also take a look at some of the writers and their works who are reframing these corpus and telling it from the perspective of characters that were once silenced or sidelined. In these retellings, the familiar myths take on unexpected turns. Circe is no longer a mere witch from The Odyssey instead she is a woman finding her voice and Briseis, the enslaved Trojan queen, becomes the heart of The Iliad in The Silence of the Girls or Medusa is no longer a monster rather she is a girl punished for surviving violence. Here are ten books that reimagine ancient myths with fresh emotion and new profound meaning. 'I had been old and stern and strong. I had been young and silly and weak. And now? Now I was something else.' While in Homer's Odyssey, Circe is a witch who transformed men into swine, Madeline Miller gives her so much more: goddess, exile, lover, mother. Told in the voice of Circe, the novel narrates the lonely childhood she spent amidst cruel gods, her banishment to a remote island, and the centuries spent in learning herbs, magic, and herself. It's a quiet yet powerful journey of a woman making her own decisions and choosing her own destiny. Moreover, Miller uses poetic and reflective writing style which does not try to hide Circe's vulnerabilities even though she becomes stronger. 'Now that I'm dead, I know everything.' We have all heard about the story of Penelope, the faithful wife of Odysseus who waited for twenty years for her husband to return. But, in Atwood's The Penelopiad, she gets the chance to tell her side of the story in a very witty and sharp manner. Atwood also gives voice to the twelve handmaids who were hanged at Odysseus' command. And, thus a clearly distinct result comes in front. Told with wit and lyricism, the book questions what justice really means in a world built by men, and whether myth can ever do justice to women. 'The world is made of choices. Some we make. Some are made for us.' Alcestis is the woman who gives her life to save the life of her husband. In Katherine Beutner's reworking, we follow her not only to the world of the dead but on a journey of self-discovery, yearning, and rebellion. Down in the underworld, Alcestis encounters Persephone and starts to question all she had ever thought about love, duty, and sacrifice. The novel is rich in the sense that it's meditative, quietly yet fiercely questions things and also explores queer identity. It is less about lofty mythic grandeur and more about the soft insurgence of claiming one's very own existence. 'They were gods. But they weren't necessarily good at it.' What happens to Greek gods when they lose their divine power? They are crammed into a dilapidated booth-flat in London and try to cope with the modern world in Marie Phillips' side-splitting novel. Apollo fancies himself a TV psychic, badly at that, Artemis walks other people's dogs, and Aphrodite is doing some heavy stirring up of trouble. It all threatens to become a mess of divine drama when a mortal couple gets caught up in it all. This book goes all witty and irreverent, not caring for itself much and that is its charm. It reminds us that myths, just like humans, can be merely ridiculous and lovable at one go. 'What will they make of us, those who come after?' Pat Barker gives The Iliad a new interpretation through the eyes of Briseis, a Trojan queen turned war-captive in the hands of Achilles. Apart from being stripped of her name, power, and voice, she only remains as a silent witness to the so-called glory of war. Barker's novel is raw and haunting, filled with the quiet suffering of women erased from heroic tales. The novel just narrates the truth, and provides no easy redemption or proper closure. Briseis, in her quiet manner, describes her story through the noise of battle with heart-wrenching honesty. 'They turned me into a monster. And I became one.' We all are well-versed with the story of Medusa, a monster with snakes for hair, but Jessie Burton provides a gentler, sadder version of her. In this beautifully illustrated novel, Medusa is a teenage girl cursed for a crime she didn't commit, sent into exile on a lonely island whose only company consisted of the snakes that sprouted from her scalp. And, when a boy named Perseus arrives, her world is transformed again. This version doesn't cast her as evil, instead, it reveals the girl behind the myth-full of pain, wonder, and rage. 'This is not Theseus' story. It is mine.' Ariadne, who is simply known for helping Theseus defeat the Minotaur, only to be later abandoned on an island. But Jennifer Saint gives her character a richer and more complex voice. Ariadne is not just a helping hand or lover, but she is also given the role of a sister, a mother, a woman living in a world shaped by gods and betrayals. Saint has written the novel by infusing prose with the characteristics of poetry and explored the themes of sacrifice, sorrow, and the emotional burden and pain of unrequited love. The story is also about two sisters, Ariadne and Phaedra, who are attempting to hold on to whatever agency they have in stories that were never theirs to begin with. 'This was never the story of one woman, or two. It was the story of them all.' What if the Trojan War was not documented in the words of the warriors but instead from those left behind by the war? A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes sets in the voices of countless females from myth-rooting queens, slaves, sisters, goddesses, and survivors. From Penelope writing to Odysseus, to Cassandra cursed with visions, every chapter casts another dimension over well-known tales. The tone is lyrical, somewhat wise, and all too often angry. It's a reminder that history is written by victors but, if told well, stories can belong to anybody. 'The Greeks gave us logic. The myths gave us meaning.' The origin stories of Greek mythology, from the birth of Chaos to the ascent of Zeus, are retold with warmth and humour by British author and comedian Stephen Fry in his book Mythos. It's the type of book that turns myths into stories for the dinner table. It's detailed, funny, and surprisingly emotional as well. Anyone interested in the Greek gods and their complex relationships should start with this book because of Fry's conversational, contemporary, and engrossing narration style. 'The old stories refused to die, and so they became something else.' In the modern world, every seven years the gods are hunted by descendants of ancient bloodlines, and if killed, the killers inherit their powers. Lore, the last descendant of Perseus, does not want to be involved in any bloodshed. But, when wounded Athena and childhood friend Castor seek her help, Lore is reluctantly dragged back into the war she tried to leave behind. Bracken's Lore is a blend of mythology and urban fantasy, delivering a very gritty attitude toward ancient power struggles. The action is grueling fun, but beneath it all lies a very human question: can we choose who we become?
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
On the novel Ulysses
Daily Quiz | On the novel Ulysses Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit YOUR SCORE 0 /7 RETAKE THE QUIZ 1 / 7 | Apart from the book being set on June 16, how is the date important in Joyce's life? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : It is the date of first sexual encounter with Nora Barnacle, his wife-to-be SHOW ANSWER 2 / 7 | Made of 18 Episodes, the book is divided into three parts. If the first Part II is Odyssey, what are Part I and III? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Telemachia and Nostos SHOW ANSWER 3 / 7 | What was the working title of Ulysses and it originally began as a novel focused on which character already created by Joyce? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : 'Stephen Hero' and Stephen Dedalus SHOW ANSWER 4 / 7 | Name Episode 15 which Joyce scholars say is roughly the length of the first eight episodes of the novel combined. DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : 'Circe' SHOW ANSWER 5 / 7 | What does Bloom eat for breakfast that has become very famous now? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Grilled mutton kidneys SHOW ANSWER 6 / 7 | Serving as a motif, which song features in both Bloom's and Molly's memories? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : 'Love's Old Sweet Song' SHOW ANSWER
South China Morning Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong artist Ho Sin-tung's graphic interpretation of love and friendship in new show
Hell looks quite jolly if it is like the one designed by Ho Sin-tung. Visitors to the Hong Kong artist's latest exhibition are welcomed by an animated neon sign showing a pair of hands supporting an overspilling bowl, the stream of liquid in the middle resembling the stem of a cocktail glass, and the name Circe glowing invitingly on one side. Beneath it is a five-step display stand for what appears to be cheap tourist tat: fridge magnets, crystal globes, keychains and ashtrays. It would be encouraging if Hell had souvenirs. As the exhibition guide points out, souvenirs only exist when there is a place to go back to. In this Hell you can choose postcards – each printed with the word Hell in a different language – and browse the painted selection of cocktails, not that these look very enticing even though they have nice tropical island backdrops. Cocktail Series by Ho Sin-tung. Photo: Enid Tsui Lord of the Flies (2025), Ho Sin-tung. Photo: Enid Tsui One looks like blood and is swarming with flies, and another seems to come with a pair of goldfish. Even more unsettling is the mirror with a gun next to it. Apparently, that is inspired by Spanish writer Javier Marías' 1992 novel A Heart so White, in which a bride shot herself in the heart just after the honeymoon.
