Book Review: The Philosopher's Apprentice - James Morrow

Title: THE PHILOSOPHER'S APPRENTICE
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Author: James Morrow
Edition released: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-297-85343-5
400 pages
Reviewed by: Adam Donnison

Mason Ambrose realises he has just thrown his PhD out the window, and that there is not a lot of work for failed philosophers. Mason is approached with an interesting proposition, to be paid quite handsomely to teach morals and ethics to a girl who, through a recent diving accident, has lost all sense of right and wrong. Mason is a little reluctant at first, what with the out-of-the-way location on the Isla de Sangre, and the reclusive employer Edwina Sabacthini, but with not a lot of other offers on the table he decides to take the plunge.

Ambrose's student is Londa, Edwina's daughter. A stunning creature with total recall of everything she reads, Londa proves a difficult but extremely capable student. Londa starts to build her moral compass around the lessons, developing a strong sense of justice, which begins to become a problem once Londa moves into the wider world.

THE PHILOSOPHER'S APPRENTICE is an interesting mix, with obvious references to Shaw's Pygmalion, as well as Wells' The Island of Doctor Moreau, and perhaps even a nod to The Night of the Living Dead. There is also an underpinning of subtle humour that ties the book together. Morrow has been able to draw on some interesting themes and explore them in an entertaining way.

The book follows Mason's progress as teacher, conscience and in some ways saviour of Londa through his disillusionment and finally a reconciliation of sorts. One main theme that comes immediately to mind is Frankenstein's Monster. But the question is, who is Frankenstein? Edwina or Mason? Or is it simply that a society that treats justice as a commodity is the ultimate evil? Either way, the reader will have a great time finding their way through this journey and reach their own conclusion.

1 comment

Comment from: Evan [Visitor]  
Evan

Sounds interesting. Sigh… another one for the list…

02/08/08 @ 17:13


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