Book

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.

Barbara Stok - De filosoof, de hond en de bruiloft (binnen)

Current events are never far away, which makes this graphic novel an extremely accomplished and interesting book – one which inspires reading, discussion and listening.

9e Kunst

The Philosopher, the Dog and the Wedding is about the power of philosophy, and contains lessons that are still relevant to us today.

Trouw

Translations

Barbara Stok

Barbara Stok (b. 1970) briefly studied at the Fotoacademie school of photography in The Hague and worked as a journalist before becoming a cartoonist and illustrator, working for newspapers and for a children’s TV show. Her early work was autobiographical in nature, constantly questioning the…

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Details

De filosoof, de hond en de bruiloft (2021). Fiction, 295 pages.
Words: 6,400

Themes: philosophy graphic novel

Publisher

Nijgh & Van Ditmar

Weteringschans 259
NL - 1017 XJ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 760 72 10

E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
https://www.singeluitgeverije…

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