Philip of Macedon and his son Alexander get to know Aristotle who tutors Alexander and his brother. The relationships described by Lyon really bring the time period and the people to life. Aristotle especially comes off as a funny, curious professorial type. This is an interesting, quick read.

What an under achievement. The premise had great potential, yet, but the resulting book was too pedestrian. The characters were not well developed. Nothing in this book gave you any glimpse in to these two great men, Alexander and Aristotle. Who are these people who have judged this book to have been worthy of awards? It seems to me that they need to read more literature. .

good book

The author has ingeniously applied and interpreted Aristotle’s writings with existing known historical facts to create a fascinating story of the great philosopher’s life during the six years he spent at the court of King Philip of Macedonia as tutor to prince Alexander and his half-brother Arrhidaeus. The story shows how the more contemplative and scholarly approach could influence and mold the young prince as well as contrasting it with the brutal reality of the training and mind set of warriors and Kings. A fresh way of looking at political theory and of understanding the times. Genuine sadness that Alexander failed to achieve the 'golden mean' Aristotle was promoting.

no

Highly disappointing. Hated the book. Terribly written with slow boring plot. Over use of vulgar words; seems out of place.

This book was unlike any I have read before. I would rate the writing itself as 4.5 stars, but the content a 3 and that is overall how I would say I liked the book. Now, that might just be an insight into my reading habits, but I found it bordering on opposite extremes not like the title suggests. Also, anyone who has read that this is mainly about Aristotle and Alexander, I would suggest that synopsis is incorrect: it is pretty much a biography on Aristotle with Alexander obviously having a part of the famous philosopher's life. The author (who I met at the lecture at Strathcona Library) said as much that she wrote the book as a "reminder of who Aristotle was and what he did". I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction, although I would caution that the prose read more along the lines of what I would categorize as "historical literary fiction". The narrative is Aristotle in first-person and the language is modern (including expletives). The facts are impeccably researched and there is no sugar-coating the civilization and culture of the times but the prose is so succinct that I found it hard to follow the plot sometimes, though I would quickly pick it up again. I think this is why it is on one end a sometimes slightly frustrating and difficult read, yet this is what also gives "The Golden Mean" its academic charm, something that I think the author worked hard to acheive - finding the barely workable balance of no-frills prose and readability. That being said, the balance worked as I had a hard time putting the book down as the plot was always moving, the dialogue frequently shocking, and the characters were usually interesting. I would not recommend this for even younger teens as the content is definately 'R'-rated for language, sex, and some mild gore and violence. Consider the book (and I say this not mean-heartedly) a cross between the TV series, "Rome", an operating room reality show and Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Author Annabel Lyon gives us an interesting look at life in ancient Macedonia in her novel The Golden Mean. Telling the story of the time Aristotle spent tutoring Alexander the Great, she gives us an intellectual who is clearly smarter than most and, therefor, slightly withdrawn from the world. Lyon has peppered this novel with tidbits about both the way in which the Greeks lived and what they believed in, while giving us some interesting characters. And it is with the characters that this novel shines, as it is really low on plot. Although this book purports to be a fictionalization about the student/teacher relationship between Alexander and Aristotle, it is far more about Aristotle. Cast as the absent minded professor who seeks to place the world into the order he believes, it is through his eyes we see what action there is. We are also treated to flashbacks to various points in his life. All other characters are also seen through Aristotle's eyes. His long suffering wife, Pythia, is a child-bride who puts up with his moods and absences. Slave Athea is upity and rude. Alexander is a complex young man who starts out as a spoiled brat, but moves slowly into being an intellectual young man who heads up a nation of warriors. Phillip is a king, used to getting what he wants. This is a slow, moving novel that while interesting for its meticulously researched details, failed to grab me.

Book Club - May, 2010

"A richly imagined and engrossing novel of fourth-century B.C. Macedon and Greece in which Aristotle tells all, including entrancing tales of his most famous student." Top Ten Books of 2010: John McFarland, reviewer