Demiana's Book Review on "Pandora of Athens"

Pandora of Athens
By Barry Denenberg
Published by Scholastic Inc.
Place of publication is 557 Broadway, New York, NY, USA
Year of Publication: 2004
125 pages
Found in Christian Heritage School Library

Story Review

She didn’t feel like her soul was in her but rather in a shell. It was a forgotten soul that still carried within the one precious Athenian jewel, Pandora! This book presents the struggles of a 13-year-old Athenian girl named Pandora, hence the title, “Pandora of Athens”. She lived in Athens 399 B.C.E. Pandora waited with dread for her fourteenth birthday, as she was forced to marry a man whom she hated, her cousin. However, she didn’t realize that in one day her life could change just in a trip to the Fountain House to get water! Although written as a fiction, this book contains true aspects of Greek culture. It is conveyed through themes of mystery (of the Wise One), rebellion (against unfairness), urgency (to save a loved one), love (that is forbidden), and matters of life and death!

Pandora grew up in a very man-biased society. Women were treated very poorly to the point that they were viewed as “lowly creatures” that weren’t smart or intelligent and didn’t deserve education! Pandora’s father, Alcander, was a man who very much agreed with this belief. He, himself, once said, “Teaching a woman is like giving more venom to a snake!” The worst thing about him was that he arranged for his daughter to marry Meander whom she viewed as a horrible and careless man. However, Pandora’s stepmother, Charis the Spartan, was the complete opposite. She grew up in Sparta where women had more freedom and rights. Charis was Pandora’s role model whom she considered mother and best friend. They were the only two who understood each other the most and kept each other’s secrets!

One day, Pandora was taking a trip to the Fountain House to get water. She was surprised by the large crowds there at a place of no gatherings and was about to see with her own eyes the Wise One, Socrates. He was unlike all philosophers. Once Pandora saw him, she knew he was different and was blown away by his just thoughts and critical thinking! He actually supported women! His rebellion against unreasonable thinking was bravely shown and was a mystery to her. But more importantly, she was mystery to him, especially her name! He told her the story of the first Pandora who opened the box that the gods had commanded her never to open! She was the most beautiful girl the gods had ever created, but at the same time was cursed by her disobedience and let all the curses in the box escape to fill the earth. Pandora was proud to carry her name at the beginning of the story, but by the end she felt shame, felt a burden on her shoulder! The Wise One insisted that she would meet him again at the same time next week which Pandora was glad to accomplish but just in secret!

The last thing that Pandora wanted was for anyone to be suspicious about her meeting with the wise one. She waited for him for a long time at the Fountain House, but he never came. She decided to leave before she was questioned about anything that can get her in a tornado of trouble. On her way home, the most amazing thing happened that she considered a “sign from the gods”. A young man named Phoenix, one of Socrates disciples and the man whom Pandora eventually had fallen in love with, told her that Socrates invited her to a party. He thinks she will benefit greatly and grow in wisdom from the discussions there. This sounded unrealistic to Pandora, because only men were allowed to attend. To make this work, Phoenix told her about a plan to get her to out of the house and cut her hair to look like a boy!

She got away with out! Her father never found out about anything except about the haircut which he was extremely angry about. Pandora was now a new person and changed more as she spent more time with Socrates and Phoenix. Socrates almost considered Pandora his daughter and knew that she thought differently than the rest of the society who was against him. He kept emphasising to Phoenix whenever Pandora was there, that he should be very careful and glad because he was standing with a precious jewel. Phoenix, Socrates, and Pandora were so tight that they would give up their lives for each other, specifically the Wise One! For the Wise One may die but his wisdom never died out in their hearts. First, the death penalty by the government was for his teachings (they thought that by teachings of rights and independence he was destroying young lives) but then death finished him before the time of the penalty! After all this chaos, there were only Pandora, Phoenix, and silence between them. As a disciple of Socrates, Phoenix could not remain in Athens. He had to go. “We must go...” said Phoenix, “There is too much to lose, I can’t contemplate being without you. Please say yes.” Will she be willing to face all dangers and risks just for love? In this plan she could get caught and lose her life? Would she flee knowing she’s with him or let him go being dragged away by the wind?

Christian Perspective:

This book was definitely not written from a Christian perspective, because the story is within the time period before Jesus’ birth. Also, the characters believed in Greek mythology, for example, the story of the first Pandora. A very man-biased society is definitely not a Christ-like one. In the bible, it is very clear that men and women are equal. In genesis it is mentioned that we were created in the image of God, and it was written, “… male and female he created them.” Therefore Alcander was surely mistaken, especially in forcing his daughter into marriage without her having any say. Jesus never forced but gave advice, which were two things Alcander did not understand the difference between. God gave all of us free will. That would be everyone, including women! Pandora shouldn’t have kept secrets either, but instead should’ve stood up for what is right without sneaking around and getting herself in trouble! When Jesus was growing up, it is written that he was obedient yet bold, which would’ve been a great solution to her problem with Alcander! If the characters’ actions were more Christ-like, there would’ve been a drastic change in the story!

My Thoughts:

I chose this book, because I am very interested in learning about Greek culture, especially the struggles of living in such place and era. I personally loved this book. I thought it was very well-written and the author left a lot of parts in there for the reader to picture, especially the last scene when Pandora had to make her final decision. It was very dramatic and also full of mystery! I recommend this book to the students in our classroom since we just learned about Greek History. I recommend it to history lovers, because it is not just the content but also the everyday life you get to picture. If you are one of those people you will not be able to stop yourself!