Review of The Fox
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Elon Gathungu
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Review of The Fox
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Fox" by M. N. J. Butler.]
The Fox by M. N. J. Butler is an incredible historical fiction book. The author tells the thrilling story of Leotychides from the character's point of view. Leotychides is a Spartan prince born and raised in the glory and rich culture of ancient Sparta. Leotychides' life provides an incredibly imaginative and thrilling window into ancient Sparta. As the prince faces the challenges of royal responsibility, kinship, rivalries, wars, and betrayal, we experience ancient Sparta and the drama of Leotychides' life.
The book gives an account of Prince Leotychides' life from his childhood to his adulthood from the first-person perspective of his older self. The Prologue introduces Leotychides' older persona as he attends a Macedonian dinner and converses with attendees of diverse backgrounds and philosophical ideologies. From the first chapter, we follow Leotychides' life from the tender age of three. As the boy grows into an impressive man, we see how the people around him and his environment affect his thought process and the person he becomes. One of the sharp contrasts is how different Prince Leotychides and his cousin, Prince Agisilaos, turn out. The rivalry and differences between the two princes are dramatic and engaging.
The best part of the book is its rich historical content. I can tell that a lot of research and consideration went into the book. For instance, the story has cleverly woven details about the religious culture in ancient Sparta. Leotychides mentions Poseidon while recalling an earthquake. He also recalls the details of what his mother wore in preparation for a religious ceremony. Additionally, the author includes several temples and hero gods throughout the book. Another positive factor is the philosophical nature of the book. The Spartan people are portrayed as more than a waring people. The literature, philosophies, and government structure included in the book gives depth to the Spartan culture. For instance, to avoid greed and envy, all men dined in their halls where the food was simple and the same for everyone.
The only letdown in the book is the numerous typos. I noticed a lot of errors that indicate the book is not professionally edited. However, the splendor of the story outweighs any distraction caused by the typos.
I give The Fox by M. N. J. Butler a rating of three out of four stars. The storyline in the book and the historical content is amazing. The characters are well developed and the plot is consistent and engaging. The only thing preventing me from giving the book a higher rating is the numerous typos.
I would recommend the book to historical fiction lovers. The heavy historical content about ancient Sparta and the civilizations and kingdoms that surrounded it makes it perfect for History lovers. Some of the philosophy and adult language in the book is not ideal for children. Additionally, readers with strong religious beliefs on sexuality might have an issue with some sections of the book.
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The Fox
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Fox by M. N. J. Butler is an incredible historical fiction book. The author tells the thrilling story of Leotychides from the character's point of view. Leotychides is a Spartan prince born and raised in the glory and rich culture of ancient Sparta. Leotychides' life provides an incredibly imaginative and thrilling window into ancient Sparta. As the prince faces the challenges of royal responsibility, kinship, rivalries, wars, and betrayal, we experience ancient Sparta and the drama of Leotychides' life.
The book gives an account of Prince Leotychides' life from his childhood to his adulthood from the first-person perspective of his older self. The Prologue introduces Leotychides' older persona as he attends a Macedonian dinner and converses with attendees of diverse backgrounds and philosophical ideologies. From the first chapter, we follow Leotychides' life from the tender age of three. As the boy grows into an impressive man, we see how the people around him and his environment affect his thought process and the person he becomes. One of the sharp contrasts is how different Prince Leotychides and his cousin, Prince Agisilaos, turn out. The rivalry and differences between the two princes are dramatic and engaging.
The best part of the book is its rich historical content. I can tell that a lot of research and consideration went into the book. For instance, the story has cleverly woven details about the religious culture in ancient Sparta. Leotychides mentions Poseidon while recalling an earthquake. He also recalls the details of what his mother wore in preparation for a religious ceremony. Additionally, the author includes several temples and hero gods throughout the book. Another positive factor is the philosophical nature of the book. The Spartan people are portrayed as more than a waring people. The literature, philosophies, and government structure included in the book gives depth to the Spartan culture. For instance, to avoid greed and envy, all men dined in their halls where the food was simple and the same for everyone.
The only letdown in the book is the numerous typos. I noticed a lot of errors that indicate the book is not professionally edited. However, the splendor of the story outweighs any distraction caused by the typos.
I give The Fox by M. N. J. Butler a rating of three out of four stars. The storyline in the book and the historical content is amazing. The characters are well developed and the plot is consistent and engaging. The only thing preventing me from giving the book a higher rating is the numerous typos.
I would recommend the book to historical fiction lovers. The heavy historical content about ancient Sparta and the civilizations and kingdoms that surrounded it makes it perfect for History lovers. Some of the philosophy and adult language in the book is not ideal for children. Additionally, readers with strong religious beliefs on sexuality might have an issue with some sections of the book.
******
The Fox
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Red Wave Imperative by Alan Schein
