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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Medical content, Pregnancy
Minor: Ableism
First: you Do Not have to have read Plato's Republic, or even parts of it, to thoroughly get into this book (I hadn't). A slight familiarity with classical Greece & Rome is helpful.
The concept of gods and classical-world-loving humans setting up Plato's description of an ideally just society is carried out well--in some cases too well as some elements of the Republic make little sense to anyone with a decent grasp of human nature. Of course, compromises and changes are made, some officially, some secretly. Characters are well-rounded, there's misery and beauty and love of many kinds and Sokrates and robots and seeds of rebellion that sprout.
Recommended to SF and fantasy fans who already like Jo Walton's work, who have an attraction to the classical Greek & Roman era, who enjoy character-based stories with good plots and science, and/or who want to read something off the beaten path of either genre or novels in general. If you like it, the sequels are already out: "The Philosopher Kings" and "Necessity."
The concept of gods and classical-world-loving humans setting up Plato's description of an ideally just society is carried out well--in some cases too well as some elements of the Republic make little sense to anyone with a decent grasp of human nature. Of course, compromises and changes are made, some officially, some secretly. Characters are well-rounded, there's misery and beauty and love of many kinds and Sokrates and robots and seeds of rebellion that sprout.
Recommended to SF and fantasy fans who already like Jo Walton's work, who have an attraction to the classical Greek & Roman era, who enjoy character-based stories with good plots and science, and/or who want to read something off the beaten path of either genre or novels in general. If you like it, the sequels are already out: "The Philosopher Kings" and "Necessity."
So many books make me think I would enjoy living in classical Greece, and this is among them. I enjoyed the premise and the characters. But much more than those I appreciated Walton's weaving real philosophy into the story. To do so without wrecking the story takes immense skill. But she pulls it off seamlessly. I am likely to raise the rating on this book to five stars if I re-read it.
Did you read Plato's Republic and do you like science-fiction or mythology? This book is for you. It's okay if you haven't read Plato, too. Athena and Apollo decide to set up Plato's ideal city as a real-world experiment. Historical personages who prayed to Athena to be there are selected as teachers and slave children are recruited to be the new citizens. What could go wrong?
Fascinating and engaging, but ultimately unsatisfying, even given the fact that it's the first book of a series.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Death of parent
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
If you want Socrates and robots in the same book, then this is for you.