Title: The Just City
Author: Jo Walton
First published January 13, 2015
368 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780765332660 (ISBN10: 0765332663)
Rating: 3.8
Overview
“Discover the Just City, where excellence is the only option. This planned community is the brainchild of Pallas Athene, a time-traveling goddess, who brought together thousands of children and hundreds of teachers from different eras in history.
Robots from the future also lend a hand, all living together on a Mediterranean island in the distant past. Follow the story of Simmea, a brilliant child born in ancient Egypt, who strives to be her best self, and Maia, a Victorian lady who found herself in the Just City after praying to Athene.
Even Apollo has joined in, living as a mortal child and discovering there are things he doesn’t understand. But when Sokrates arrives, the City faces challenging questions that only he can ask.
The Just City is a brilliant tale of the intersection of history, philosophy, and imagination, told by the incomparable Jo Walton.”
About the Author
Jo Walton is a talented author who specializes in crafting compelling science fiction and fantasy novels. She’s also an avid reader and a big fan of delicious cuisine.
Interestingly, Jo finds it a bit unsettling that her current career is exactly what she had hoped to do when she was younger. Originally from Wales, she now calls Montreal her home.
Editoral Review
The Just City by Jo Walton is an ambitious work of speculative fiction that explores philosophical and ethical questions through a unique blend of ancient and futuristic elements. Jo Walton is an award-winning Welsh-Canadian science fiction and fantasy writer whose previous works include the Hugo and Nebula award-winning novel Among Others.
The Just City, published on January 13, 2015, is the first book in the Thessaly trilogy. The Just City is set in a project overseen by the goddess Athena who has tasked Apollo to create a just city using the blueprint outlined in Plato’s Republic.
Athena has gathered together people from different times and places who have expressed a desire to live in such a city. The main character is a girl named Simmea who was a slave in ancient Athens and who has been brought to the Just City as part of an experiment to create a new society.
Simmea’s story intertwines with that of others living in the city including Apollo, a philosopher named Sokrates, and a group of robot-like beings called the Workers. The Just City is a complex novel that explores themes such as the nature of justice, free will, the role of art, and the pursuit of happiness.
Walton skillfully weaves together elements of Greek mythology, philosophy, and science fiction to create a thought-provoking and entertaining story. The world-building is impressive and immersive, transporting the reader into a fascinating and unusual setting.
One of the strengths of The Just City is its well-developed characters. Simmea is a compelling protagonist whose struggles for self-discovery and understanding of the world around her drive the narrative forward.
Sokrates and Apollo are also well-drawn and interesting characters whose philosophical debates provide much of the intellectual depth to the story. The Workers provide a contrast to the human characters and their interactions with them add an additional layer of intrigue.
The pacing of The Just City is slow at times, which may deter some readers. The novel is also heavy on philosophical discussions that may not be to everyone’s taste.
However, for those willing to engage with the ideas presented, the novel offers a rich and rewarding experience. The Just City has historical and cultural significance due to its incorporation of Plato’s Republic and its exploration of ancient and modern philosophical ideas.
The themes explored in the novel, such as the nature of justice, will always be relevant, making the book a timeless meditation on these topics. Overall, The Just City is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and philosophy.
Its unique blend of ancient and futuristic elements and well-developed characters make for an engaging and thought-provoking read. I would highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy complex and intellectually stimulating stories.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
