HEMLOCK

A retelling of Socrates’ story, set in a dystopian America in the 1830s.

In early-19th-century America, society is wild about the Greeks. Philadelphia, the capital, styles itself the Athens of America, and Greek names—or approximations—are very common. Thus, the young narrator is named Palleias, and the Socrates figure is “Teacher Scotes,” who behaves just the way Socrates did, courting the same dangers (such as purportedly corrupting the young, for example). One of Scotes’ acolytes is named Xephon (see Xenophon). But the Founding Fathers are long gone, and these epigones took the wrong lesson from the Greeks. This “democracy” is a nasty parody; it’s populism run amok. Whatever the people decide in a great assembly on any given day becomes the law, no matter how short-sighted or unjust. Has debt become burdensome? Well, abolish it, and too bad about the rich lenders! Palleias’ father, Antonyn, is a highly respected representative, one of those who certify the people’s will. He was once Scotes’ student but is now his enemy and forbids Palleias from associating with the man. All this comes to a head when Antonyn arranges to have Scotes arrested and charged with corrupting the youth, a capital offense. A core theme that is wonderfully handled is the inner torment of young Palleias, who’s drawn to Scotes but is also a dutiful son. The book has long passages of—what else?—Socratic dialogue, although Holland replicates that type of dialogue well, even if only the most committed students of philosophy might follow all of it (“But the people are a cauldron, and if boil they will, they still require time to heat”). It’s also a bit hard to believe that these citizens could be quite so fickle and self-serving. Palleias, who later assumes the mantle of Plato, talks some sense (and necessary shame) into his fellow compatriots in a rousing speech toward the end, even if they still have much work to do.

A fascinating premise and themes that can still speak to us today.