*Amber & Clay by Laura Amy Schlitz

Amber & Clay is a fascinating immersion into classic Greek civilization, seen through the eyes of two children, Socrates the sage, and a host of gods and Greeks.

*Amber & Clay by Laura Amy Schlitz. Candlewick, 2021, 513 pages.

Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15

Recommended for: ages 12-up

In the dialogue called “Meno,” Plato wrote of an arrogant young man confronting Socrates about the nature of virtue and right living. To prove his point that knowledge was already embedded in the soul, Socrates summoned a young slave out of the audience and taught him some cold-turkey geometry.

The slave isn’t named in the dialogue. In Amber & Clay, he is: Rhaskos, born in bondage to a Thracian captive and an unknown father. Rhaskos is on a visit to Athens with his master Meno, when called upon the stage of history. Meno (the arrogant young man of the dialogue), soon becomes displeased with Rhaskos and sells him to the slave merchant. The boy will be purchased by a potter, who is demanding but fair. It’s hard work, with two great advantages: Rhaskos will learn to develop his artistic talent. And he will develop his acquaintance with Socrates (one of the most engaging characters of antiquity), all the way up to the the man’s death by hemlock.

Another acquaintance: the shade who follows Rhaskos and will eventually become visible to him. This is Melisto, the strong-willed daughter of a wealthy citizen of Athens, who met an untimely end. Though she is now a ghost, she and Rhaskos share a bond that will form the central thread of this sprawling, multi-faceted, and generously-peopled novel. Melisto tells her story in prose (the author explains why in the extended Author Note). All other characters, including the gods, speak in verse forms inspired by Greek drama.

It sounds a bit daunting, but the narrative naturally flows from one perspective to another without a hitch, and a character list helps keep the many perspectives straight. Even modern-day archaeologists have their say, through various artefacts that will have some bearing on the story. It’s an immersion not only into an alien culture, but into a pagan mindset, with its strange mix of cruelty, beauty, and superstition. To be human was to be at the mercy of the gods, for the grace of Christ was still 400 years away. Until then, there were no answers to the unanswerable, but the wisest could still ask questions. To quote Socrates at his trial: “A life without examination is not worth living.”

Considerations

• The practice of homosexuality was common in this culture, in particular the adoption of young protegees by older men. There are some passing references to this in Amber & Clay, but it doesn’t affect the central characters.
• Some classical scholars have compared Socrates to Jesus, as fellow “great teachers.” What comparisons can you see? Why is it important the Jesus was more than a great teacher?

Overall Rating: 4.5

• Worldview/moral value: 4
• Artistic/literary value: 5

Also at Redeemed Reader:

Reviews: By Laura Amy Schlitz: Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! and Splendors and Glooms.

Reviews: For even more ancient Greek legend, see Gareth Hinds’ graphic-novel renditions of The Iliad and The Odyssey.

Review: Lovely War is another excellent historical novel for teens that poses Greek gods against humans.

Resource: Our Top 25 Ancient History booklist!

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