Just Myrto

LUMINIS BOOKS

Published by Luminis Books

1950 East Greyhound Pass, #18, PMB 280

Carmel, Indiana, 46033, U.S.A.

Copyright © Socratic Parenting LLC, 2014

PUBLISHER'S NOTICE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The “Mind's Eye” symbol in
Chapter 28
was created by the author and registered as the trademark of Socratic Parenting LLC. All rights reserved.

Hardcover: 978-1-935462-96-5

Paperback: 978-1-935462-97-2

Printed in the United States of America

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UMINIS
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OOKS

Meaningful Books That Entertain

“In this very original novel, Laurie Gray gives us a cast of characters to love, a historical setting to inhabit, and just enough philosophy to whet our appetites for more. A page-turning narrative woven with deep and substantial conversations,
Just Myrto
lingers in the mind long after the book is closed. I especially love the delicacy with which Laurie Gray imagines several central scenes, giving love and sex and death their importance in the story, while allowing Myrto a certain modesty in recounting her feelings about them. A beautiful story, beautifully told.”

—Helen Frost, author of
The Braid, Crossing Stones,
and
Salt

“The character of Myrto, as the second wife of Socrates, will surely imprint for good all those who discover her in this delightful book. As a young girl without a dowry, Myrto could easily have fallen between the cracks of ancient Greek society. Instead, when Socrates volunteers to take her as a second wife, Myrto undergoes an initiation, not just into wife- and mother-hood, but also into the life of an independent thinker. She becomes a woman of great spiritual power, especially after the death of her husband, when she chooses how to live without her beloved guide and husband.”

“What I loved most about this book is how the author resists the temptation of the romantic master narrative. Myrto develops great strength as she learns to think for herself. In fact, I've never seen a better depiction of growth in a young woman—from vulnerability and anxiety to confidence and courage.”

“Socrates and Plato, two of the other chief characters, are finely drawn also. Indeed, Socrates is the catalyst for the amazing growth of his young wife. His refusal to tell her what to do and to think and his probing questions have a
transformative effect over time. She even finds a way to understand the famously difficult Xanthippe, Socrates' first wife.”

“Along the way the reader picks up many facts of Greek life and history, but the research doesn't show on the surface. It's embedded and can be discovered just the way Socrates himself would have approved. Without discovery, learning is mere memorization. With it, learning lives in the place of the gods, the spirit.”

“I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in ancient Greek culture and in a riveting story of female empowerment.”

—Shirley Hershey Showalter, author of
Blush: A Mennonite Girl Meets a Glittering World,
former president of Goshen College and former Vice President of the Fetzer Institute

“I totally enjoyed this book based on real facts of the little-known second wife of Socrates. Laurie uses her imagination and places us in a world that is very different from the one we live in today … what it was like to be an uneducated, unmarried, young woman with seemingly few choices in ancient Athens after her father dies and she is left penniless.”

“In Myrto's exchanges with Socrates, Plato and other historical figures, we also learn that we are the wisest when we keep an open mind, ask questions, and listen to others. This was done through the lively and interesting dialog throughout the story.”

“We grow with Myrto as she learns what is truly important—freedom of thought and the choice it gives you. I think today's young women need heroines like Myrto, who blossoms from a poor, frightened, insecure girl to an independent, free-thinking woman … and it's not through kowtowing to
other's expectations, but listening to what is important to your heart, and having the courage to move forward.”

“Although I am far from being a teenager, I continue to grow and could identify with Myrto's thirst for knowledge and discovering her own path. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book for teens who love history, want to understand ancient Greek culture, learn about the Socratic Method, and see life through the eyes of an historical figure of ancient times.”

—DeShawn Wert, YourADDAnswers.com

“Laurie Gray does an admirable job of weaving the philosophical content of Plato's dialogues into a compelling story.”

—Naomi Reshotko, author of
Socratic Virtue,
and Professor of Philosophy, University of Denver

“Teens—and adults—interested in ancient Greece from a social and intellectual perspective will find this novel richly rewarding, as will fans of biography and readers who appreciate a ‘human face' for famous names. In addition,
Just Myrto
offers intriguing glimpses of women's lives in ancient Greece, a notoriously male-centered society; this novel should find a place in feminist literature. Laurie Gray has gracefully met several major challenges in writing this unusual book, and her readers will thank her for a horizon-broadening experience.”

—Ella Marston, author of
The Compassionate Warrior
and
Santa Claus in Baghdad

“Skillful writing allows readers to experience Matthew's struggle with life questions, his own beliefs, his emotional growth, and his actions to help Dinah.”

—Susan Shaver,
Library Media Connection,
Starred Review

“What a big-hearted story, told with affection and humor. I loved spending time with Matthew and his family and with Dinah, the girl who looks in from outside. Like Dinah, young readers will find a place of welcome and comfort, a true sanctuary, in the pages of this book. Like Matthew, they'll discover something important about friendship and independence.”

—Helen Frost, Printz Honor Award-winning author of
Keesha's House

“This is a wonderful book. Any writer wanting to create a work of fiction that is appealing and spiritually fulfilling for teens or young adults would do well to read this before embarking on their journey … This is the type of book a librarian loves to pull off the shelf and hand to a teen reader looking for something that is a fun read with a healthy message. I look forward to more work by this author.”

—John R. Clark,
TCM Reviews

“Summer Sanctuary
is a beautifully written tale that should appeal to all ages. Laurie Gray captures the heart of what it is to be young, and her characters reflect that joy. Designated as an OUTSTANDING BOOK.”

—Debbie Wiley,
Book Illuminations

“Summer Sanctuary
is a delightful, heart-warming and thought-provoking book.”

—Sahar,
Blogcritics

“Laurie Gray does a magnificent job with character development in
Summer Sanctuary.
This is a beautifully written tale that should appeal to all ages.”

—Debbie Wiley Book Reviews

“This quiet, sweet book about friendship is a rare jewel.”

—Lyn Seippel,
Bookloons

“Matthew and Dinah's story is a beautiful and touching one. The story is a well-written one and describes some of the feelings that teenagers have about their family, and about what it means to be a friend.”

—Monique Burkes,
BookPleasures.com

“Summer Sanctuary
is an excellent book from novelist Laurie Gray. Hopefully Gray will continue writing and providing quality literature for adolescents with wholesome themes.”

—Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher),
BookTrends.org

“Rich in literary allusions and humor, this novel overflows with music, poetry and science, all appealing to and suitable for middle grade readers. The book creates a safe place for tweens and teens to explore and appreciate their own experiences as well as the diverse experiences of others.”

—Bianca Schulze,
The Children's Book Review

“In
Maybe I Will,
Laurie Gray writes about important topics that teens need to talk about, including sexual assault, friendship, and alcoholism or self-destructive behaviors that result from trauma.
Maybe I Will
may help some teens know they're not alone.”

—Cheryl Rainfield, award-winning author of
Scars, Hunted,
and
Stained

“Sandy is written so as to be readable as either male or female … and the note it hits at the end is hopeful without being unrealistic. A careful treatment of a difficult topic.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Gray draws from her professional experience with teens in this fast-moving and emotional story.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Author Laurie Gray deals with a difficult topic in a thoughtful, nuanced, and realistic way. A pinch of humor and dash of Shakespeare add flavor to what otherwise might be an overly heavy stew.
Maybe I Will
belongs on teens' reading lists and bookshelves alongside classics of its type such as Laurie Halse Anderson's
Speak
and Cheryl Rainfield's
Scars.”

—Mike Mullin, award winning author of
Ashfall
and
Ashen Winter

“Maybe I Will
is a fantastic story that stirs reader emotions and shares a meaningful story. I would recommend it to teenagers who enjoy realistic fiction and books like
Speak.”

—LitPik

“Maybe I Will
is an essential purchase for libraries with young adults requesting books like
13 Reasons Why
by Jay Asher,
The Rules of Survival
by Nancy Werlin,
Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson, and
Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy
by Sonya Sones.”

—Diane Kelly,
PracticallyParadise.org

“[Her] experience and her talent as a writer enabled Gray to craft characters whose emotions, motivations, and reactions seem realistic and utterly believable. I would definitely recommend
Maybe I Will
for high school age readers …”

—Ross Brand,
TheTrades.com

“This is an important book. Parents with pre-teens and/or teenagers—buy this book, read it yourself and then pass it along to them to read. I am a mother of a teenager myself and I know that often teens shut their ears and don't listen to a lot of the wisdom and advice we have to offer. Encourage them to read
Maybe I Will.
It covers a lot of vital, important information about sexual assault.”

—Growing Up Little

“Maybe I Will
should be read by every teenager and required reading in schools. It's as important as reading
April Raintree
was for me when I went to school. The nature of the book, and the discussions it can bring up are truly important for a young audience to understand. Read this book with a warning—you will cry, and it will affect you.”

—Naimeless

For my Socratic husband and our wondrous child.

J
UST
M
YRTO
IS
a work of historical fiction set in Ancient Greece. The main characters were real people who lived in Athens around the turn of the 4th Century B.C.E. Readers may refer to the Glossary at the end of the book for more information on the people, places, literature and mythology referenced in the book.