Tina Lee Forsee

A Footnote to Plato by Tina Lee Forsee is an interesting and engaging story that should appeal to readers whether they are familiar with Plato or not.

For those mostly interested in the story, you will be pleased that the philosophy aspect isn't overbearing and while there are some explicit philosophical discussions (this is about a philosophy trip to Greece after all) the story moves along through interpersonal interactions. So don't shy away if you are concerned about this being a philosophy textbook.

That said, there is a lot more philosophy in it for those familiar with some of Plato's Dialogues. Those same interactions that drive the story also contain most of the practical philosophical content. You will be reminded of ideas Plato, and other philosophers, have pondered while you watch these characters navigate their own lives. Maybe the college campus is a microcosm of the Republic. Maybe not, you decide. But the ethical issues everyone is facing are certainly addressed by Plato.

So basically, you have a text that is as explicitly philosophical as what you bring to it, yet is broadly philosophical, in a more colloquial usage, throughout. This is not, nor is it intended to be, a novel full of action, this is a novel of ideas. If you need thrills and chills, this won't be for you. If you like to read about characters dealing with situations both external and internal, and rather than judge them you can reflect on your own situations in life, you will find a lot to enjoy here.

I listened to the audiobook version and found it to be good. I think I would have preferred the print version, but that is mostly just my usual preference rather than a criticism of this book. I think the audio version would be great for long trips where you aren't being bombarded with a lot of other distractions, just driving (or riding) with space for thought and reflection.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via LibraryThing Early Reviewers.… (mehr)

Maybe I’m not enough of a philosopher to have truly enjoyed or understood this book. While the book does mention classic Greek philosophers and the college class ends up going to Greece, there wasn't enough of a plot for me to really get into the story. The characters also didn't seem well enough developed for me to have any interest in why they did what they did.
I was hoping for, and maybe the author was trying for, something similar to The Good Place where philosophy is talked about in a social context. But this book just didn't have enough philosophy in it or again maybe I just don't know enough about philosophy to have recognized it.
The two characters who affect the plot the most, both women, are sort of ignored. The author never discusses their backstory or motivations. The story treats them as un-understandable and therefore unsympathetic villains.
Overall, I think I would've been fine having skipped out on this read.… (mehr)

So here is the thing... I did like the story, it was compelling, ethically. But to start off the story with hearing that someone was / did / could have / may have done something that is just so scummy and gross, and is unapologetic and aloof about all their actions before during and after the event, it's just frustrating. Is the point of the book is to redeem an accused sexual pervert? Now to switch focus to the student side of things, I did not really care about the student, who is called Zeb. Their plight isn't new or unique, and their ethical decisions aren't any better to argue than the professors.
I was expecting some sort of resolution, thinking that it would come out the professor did really do something not great, or Zeb would do x, y ,or z, but it was predictable with how "white knight" of an ending this is. I appreciate the story, it was new and for sure different, but it ... it would do well as a movie.… (mehr)