Circe: Genre 1 key example

Miller also uses plot to drive character development, which is often considered a hallmark of literary fiction. By contrast, "genre fiction" (such as fantasy, science fiction, or even detective fiction) can be more likely to use characters in the service of plot and world-building. Most literary fiction places itself in conversation with "canonical" books from the past, either through direct allusions or more indirect ways, like imitation of style. Miller has clear literary inspirations, such as The Odyssey. She also draws on Greek mythology more broadly in a way that clearly makes her book a work of literary fiction. It is a modern-day response to Classical literature.

At the same time, the mythological elements of the novel are also what drive it into the realm of fantasy. Circe has the powers of a goddess and a witch because that is who she is in Miller's source material. Plenty of fantastical things happen over the course of the book, many of which are also drawn from older source material. Fantasy has often been regarded as a less serious genre than literary fiction, despite increasing commercial success and mainstream respect. Circe has been marketed as historical and ancient fiction, not fantasy, but Miller does not actively downplay the fantasy elements of the story. In fact, Circe's understanding of her own magic is central to her character development. This novel helps break down the idea that there is a stable barrier between fantasy and literary fiction.