Barbara Stok
The Philosopher, the Dog and the Wedding
A graphic novel about a strong woman in classical antiquity illustrates the power of philosophy
Renowned cartoonist Barbara Stok portrays the life of Hipparchia, the little-known Greek philosopher who lived in the 4th century BC. With her boundless enthusiasm and philosophical background, Stok builds a bridge with the present by holding a mirror up to the reader. This graphic novel became a bestseller within only a month of publication.
In her characteristically accessible style, Stok recounts how Hipparchia sets off to Athens to marry the scion of a wealthy family. But once in Athens, she meets the Cynic philosopher Crates, who lives on the streets. His ideas and example cause the spirited Hipparchia to wonder: why choose to live in luxury if I cannot truly be free? She decides to break with tradition and ends up marrying Crates.
Time and again, Stok draws subtle parallels with the modern world, for example, with Hipparchia calling into question the subordinate position of women, slaves and animals. She compels the reader to ask: why is my life as it is? Why do we continue to follow the same patterns, century after century? Why do we not realise that there are different ways of going about things? Stok and Hipparchia enable the reader to see their own life in a different light.
With The Philosopher, the Dog and the Wedding, Stok has written a extraordinary, moving and inspiring story about the first female philosopher.
