J is Just Myrto, by Laurie Gray (book review) – first Socrates’ wife, then his student

book cover of Just Myrto by Laurie Gray published by Luminis Books | BooksYALove.comOrphaned with no dowry,
Given away as a second wife,
Learning to love and to learn.

This intriguing piece of historical fiction brings to life Myrto, the second wife of noted philosopher Socrates in ancient Greece, who learns much from her husband, yet despairs of ever being recognized for being herself, instead of always in relation to men.

How do you introduce yourself to the world?
**kmm

Book info: Just Myrto / Laurie Gray. Luminis Books, 2014. [author site]  [publisher site]   Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: With no dowry, Myrto is relieved to become a second wife instead of a slave in Athens, little dreaming that her philosopher-husband would open her mind and soothe her soul.

As he teaches her, Socrates teaches invites the young woman to think and reason, just as he does with his male students, but no woman is her own person in ancient Greece.

During this turbulent time in Athens, men in power are threatened by Socrates’ teachings and challenges to ‘the way it’s always been’ so the great man is soon torn away from his young bride.

Can she persuade Socrates to escape, to leave Athens for safety?
How can she discover what she should do to better the world?
Will she ever be “just Myrto” instead of someone’s daughter or sister or wife?

Walk the dusty streets of Athens with thinkers, wonderers, and worriers in this novel of questions and interesting answers. (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

What do you think?

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