Review of The Fox

Sable Pratt · Post by **Sable Pratt** » 26 Mar 2022, 17:33

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Fox" by M. N. J. Butler.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Ancient Greek is the subject of an endless stream of literary works, both fictional and non-fictional. M.N.J Butler takes us on a journey to these classical times through his extensive coming-of-age novel, The Fox. Divided into four sections, this novel chronicles the life of Leotychides in Sparta during the 4th century B.C.E. The first book centers on Leo's childhood and his experiences at Agoge(a Spartan military training school for young boys). The second book is a lengthy eight-chapter account of how King Agis's death affected the fates of Leo and Sparta. The third book demonstrates the "cruel destruction" of the city of Sparta while under the tyrannical rule of Agisilaos. The fourth book focuses on the secret conspiracies plotted against Agisilaos as Leo and his friends tried to retain Sparta back to its former glory.

Detailing the life story of Leotychides during the Peloponnesian war between Sparta and Athens, The Fox truly packs a punch. Leo grew up believing to be next in line in the ruling of the Eurypontid throne after his father, King Agis II. When he was seven years old, Leo joined a group of Spartan children training to become soldiers at Agoge. They were referred to as the 'Flock'. The grueling conditions there inspired strong bonds of friendship that went well into his adulthood. It was during this transformation from boyhood to manhood that Leo discovered scandalous circumstances concerning his birth; ones that illegitimized his claim to the throne and brought an unwelcome spin to Sparta's fate. This novel demonstrates how Leo tried to conquer the vicious cycle of bad politics, clandestine agendas, and fatal wars that brought upon the fall of the revered city of Sparta.

The Fox was a refreshing read from which I found a lot of laudable aspects. First, I loved the author's accurate depiction of the political and social philosophies that governed Sparta during this period. The Spartans' fierce loyalty towards their state and their communal military structures bespoke of socio-political dynamics where the community was more important than self. Second, I was amazed by the rich history and culture the author used to flesh out this book. Before reading this book, I had bare background information regarding ancient Greece, leave alone Sparta. Now, I am versed in the two dynasties that made up the Royal Heraklids in Sparta, the political disparities between Sparta and Athens, the social norms regarding women and marriage, the polytheistic religion prominent in Greece, and the hero-gods that led great wars and brought honor to Sparta. To say that this book was well-researched would be an understatement.

I also loved the sense of vitality the author incorporated into the storyline, lending a touch of realism to the well-developed characters and scenes. For example, Agisilaos' character as a selfish and power-hungry villain was portrayed through his actions, dialogue, and goals. The graphic description of the battle scenes was vivid and emotive, underscoring Sparta's military prowess. I sympathized with Leo and his friends as they endured the harsh conditions at Agoge, and I cheered them on as they continued to fight for the honor and continuity of the Spartan empire.

The Fox, however, was not without its missteps. I encountered a lot of Greek names and vocabularies that threatened to drown me in their complexities had the author not provided a detailed glossary in the beginning. Nevertheless, checking the glossary every time I came upon a foreign word was distracting and quite exhausting. The writing style used may prove difficult and convoluted for readers who enjoy simple, straightforward prose.

Needless to say, The Fox is a significant addition to the rich oeuvre that keeps the ancient Greek history alive and fascinating. I did not find any typos or grammatical errors, thus this book was professionally edited. Despite the negative aspects I've mentioned above, I rate The Fox a perfect four out of four stars. The author's dedication and passion to make this book as detailed and as engaging as possible brightly shone from his relatable characters and his vivid descriptions of the Spartan culture and history. Such a genius narration deserves full rating.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially those about ancient Greek history and mythology. This is a particularly long read that requires utmost concentration and determination. Historians and philosophers would enjoy journeying to the golden times described here and experiencing the legendary Peloponnesian war from Leotychides' perspective.

******
The Fox
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Owuamanam Eberechukwu · Post by **Owuamanam Eberechukwu** » 27 Mar 2022, 16:48

Sable Pratt wrote: ↑26 Mar 2022, 17:33 [Following is a volunteer review of "The Fox" by M. N. J. Butler.]

4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review

Ancient Greek is the subject of an endless stream of literary works, both fictional and non-fictional. M.N.J Butler takes us on a journey to these classical times through his extensive coming-of-age novel, The Fox. Divided into four sections, this novel chronicles the life of Leotychides in Sparta during the 4th century B.C.E. The first book centers on Leo's childhood and his experiences at Agoge(a Spartan military training school for young boys). The second book is a lengthy eight-chapter account of how King Agis's death affected the fates of Leo and Sparta. The third book demonstrates the "cruel destruction" of the city of Sparta while under the tyrannical rule of Agisilaos. The fourth book focuses on the secret conspiracies plotted against Agisilaos as Leo and his friends tried to retain Sparta back to its former glory.

Detailing the life story of Leotychides during the Peloponnesian war between Sparta and Athens, The Fox truly packs a punch. Leo grew up believing to be next in line in the ruling of the Eurypontid throne after his father, King Agis II. When he was seven years old, Leo joined a group of Spartan children training to become soldiers at Agoge. They were referred to as the 'Flock'. The grueling conditions there inspired strong bonds of friendship that went well into his adulthood. It was during this transformation from boyhood to manhood that Leo discovered scandalous circumstances concerning his birth; ones that illegitimized his claim to the throne and brought an unwelcome spin to Sparta's fate. This novel demonstrates how Leo tried to conquer the vicious cycle of bad politics, clandestine agendas, and fatal wars that brought upon the fall of the revered city of Sparta.

The Fox was a refreshing read from which I found a lot of laudable aspects. First, I loved the author's accurate depiction of the political and social philosophies that governed Sparta during this period. The Spartans' fierce loyalty towards their state and their communal military structures bespoke of socio-political dynamics where the community was more important than self. Second, I was amazed by the rich history and culture the author used to flesh out this book. Before reading this book, I had bare background information regarding ancient Greece, leave alone Sparta. Now, I am versed in the two dynasties that made up the Royal Heraklids in Sparta, the political disparities between Sparta and Athens, the social norms regarding women and marriage, the polytheistic religion prominent in Greece, and the hero-gods that led great wars and brought honor to Sparta. To say that this book was well-researched would be an understatement.

I also loved the sense of vitality the author incorporated into the storyline, lending a touch of realism to the well-developed characters and scenes. For example, Agisilaos' character as a selfish and power-hungry villain was portrayed through his actions, dialogue, and goals. The graphic description of the battle scenes was vivid and emotive, underscoring Sparta's military prowess. I sympathized with Leo and his friends as they endured the harsh conditions at Agoge, and I cheered them on as they continued to fight for the honor and continuity of the Spartan empire.

The Fox, however, was not without its missteps. I encountered a lot of Greek names and vocabularies that threatened to drown me in their complexities had the author not provided a detailed glossary in the beginning. Nevertheless, checking the glossary every time I came upon a foreign word was distracting and quite exhausting. The writing style used may prove difficult and convoluted for readers who enjoy simple, straightforward prose.

Needless to say, The Fox is a significant addition to the rich oeuvre that keeps the ancient Greek history alive and fascinating. I did not find any typos or grammatical errors, thus this book was professionally edited. Despite the negative aspects I've mentioned above, I rate The Fox a perfect four out of four stars. The author's dedication and passion to make this book as detailed and as engaging as possible brightly shone from his relatable characters and his vivid descriptions of the Spartan culture and history. Such a genius narration deserves full rating.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially those about ancient Greek history and mythology. This is a particularly long read that requires utmost concentration and determination. Historians and philosophers would enjoy journeying to the golden times described here and experiencing the legendary Peloponnesian war from Leotychides' perspective.

******
The Fox
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

This is one of the few books that is bulky but interesting. I love how your review made it appear simple. It’s a good work u did here

Sable Pratt · Post by **Sable Pratt** » 27 Mar 2022, 16:58

Yes, it is a long read but definitely worth it! Thanks for your comment.

markodim721 · Post by **markodim721** » 29 Mar 2022, 04:34

The author described the everyday life of the ancient Spartans in an authentic way. I liked their nicknames the most. Thanks for the good review.

Sable Pratt · Post by **Sable Pratt** » 29 Mar 2022, 15:49

markodim721 wrote: ↑29 Mar 2022, 04:34 The author described the everyday life of the ancient Spartans in an authentic way. I liked their nicknames the most. Thanks for the good review.

Yes, his portrayal of the Spartan culture was authentic and compelling. Thanks for your comment.