by Laurie Gray ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2014
This rather odd tale should appeal to thinkers and fans of ancient historical fiction.
An unusual, quiet historical novel chronicles what the life of Socrates’ second wife may have been like.
After her father dies, Myrto is given to her brother’s former teacher, Socrates, as a second wife. As a young woman in ancient Greece, Myrto can aspire to little more than the hope for a kind husband. However, in Socrates, Myrto also finds a great mind: He encourages Myrto to think through discussion and reading with his son, Lamprocles, and their friends. On their wedding night, Socrates assures a frightened Myrto that he will never force himself on her. Myrto and Socrates eventually become lovers, but given how much time was spent on Myrto’s fear of consummating her marriage, it seems strange that this is only mentioned in passing. Similarly, when Myrto becomes pregnant, she is frightened of childbirth. Even more time is spent on her overcoming this fear, but the birth itself is glanced over, which may leave readers feeling a bit thrown off. The majority of this book is an examination of Socratic philosophy, resulting in a story in which not much happens apart from incredible intellectual growth on the part of the protagonist.
This rather odd tale should appeal to thinkers and fans of ancient historical fiction. (Historical fiction. 12-16)Pub Date: May 16, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-935462-96-5
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Luminis
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
Share your opinion of this book
More by Laurie Gray
BOOK REVIEW
by Laurie Gray
by Ben Philippe ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 8, 2019
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice.
A teenage, not-so-lonely loner endures the wilds of high school in Austin, Texas.
Norris Kaplan, the protagonist of Philippe’s debut novel, is a hypersweaty, uber-snarky black, Haitian, French-Canadian pushing to survive life in his new school. His professor mom’s new tenure-track job transplants Norris mid–school year, and his biting wit and sarcasm are exposed through his cataloging of his new world in a field guide–style burn book. He’s greeted in his new life by an assortment of acquaintances, Liam, who is white and struggling with depression; Maddie, a self-sacrificing white cheerleader with a heart of gold; and Aarti, his Indian-American love interest who offers connection. Norris’ ego, fueled by his insecurities, often gets in the way of meaningful character development. The scenes showcasing his emotional growth are too brief and, despite foreshadowing, the climax falls flat because he still gets incredible personal access to people he’s hurt. A scene where Norris is confronted by his mother for getting drunk and belligerent with a white cop is diluted by his refusal or inability to grasp the severity of the situation and the resultant minor consequences. The humor is spot-on, as is the representation of the black diaspora; the opportunity for broader conversations about other topics is there, however, the uneven buildup of detailed, meaningful exchanges and the glibness of Norris’ voice detract.
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-282411-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
Share your opinion of this book
More by Ben Philippe
BOOK REVIEW
by Ben Philippe
More About This Book
by Patricia McCormick ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 8, 2012
Though it lacks references or suggestions for further reading, Arn's agonizing story is compelling enough that many readers...
A harrowing tale of survival in the Killing Fields.
The childhood of Arn Chorn-Pond has been captured for young readers before, in Michelle Lord and Shino Arihara's picture book, A Song for Cambodia (2008). McCormick, known for issue-oriented realism, offers a fictionalized retelling of Chorn-Pond's youth for older readers. McCormick's version begins when the Khmer Rouge marches into 11-year-old Arn's Cambodian neighborhood and forces everyone into the country. Arn doesn't understand what the Khmer Rouge stands for; he only knows that over the next several years he and the other children shrink away on a handful of rice a day, while the corpses of adults pile ever higher in the mango grove. Arn does what he must to survive—and, wherever possible, to protect a small pocket of children and adults around him. Arn's chilling history pulls no punches, trusting its readers to cope with the reality of children forced to participate in murder, torture, sexual exploitation and genocide. This gut-wrenching tale is marred only by the author's choice to use broken English for both dialogue and description. Chorn-Pond, in real life, has spoken eloquently (and fluently) on the influence he's gained by learning English; this prose diminishes both his struggle and his story.
Though it lacks references or suggestions for further reading, Arn's agonizing story is compelling enough that many readers will seek out the history themselves. (preface, author's note) (Historical fiction. 12-15)Pub Date: May 8, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-06-173093-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 20, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2012
Share your opinion of this book
More by Patricia McCormick
BOOK REVIEW
by Patricia McCormick ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.