First published 2021
Timon lives as one of Athens' wealthiest citizens, showering his friends with lavish gifts and expecting the same generosity in return. He gives away everything he owns, believing his companions will reciprocate when needed. When creditors demand payment of his debts, Timon turns to these same friends for help. One by one, they refuse him with excuses and empty promises. His idealized vision of friendship crumbles completely. Betrayed and financially ruined, Timon abandons Athens entirely and retreats into the wilderness. There he transforms into a misanthrope who despises all humanity. Yet his hatred springs directly from the destruction of his noble belief in human goodness. The man who once celebrated friendship now curses it, but his fury cannot be separated from his original admirable faith in others.
Genres: fiction, drama, literary-fiction, academic
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: betrayal, disillusionment, idealism
Setting: Athens
Period: Ancient
359 pages · Paperback · Independently published