The London of the book is one of boundaries and small parishes, where people live out their lives by their own light - the stars and sun having gone out during the time of "Mouldwarp" (which is when we now live). Plato is a dimunutive orator who researches the past, especially Mouldwarp. He presents orations on his findings, most of which are (to us) spectacularly, sometimes amusingly, inaccurate.
After a chat with his soul, Plato gains admission to Mouldwarp London and discovers the truth about the past for himself. Or so he believes, at any rate. On returning to his London he proceeds to lecture on what he has now found.
His new message, that received wisdom is there to be questioned (including the beliefs shared by his co-inhabitants), is not to the taste of the people and he ends up on trial for "corrupting the youth", the same charge that was levelled against Socrates (leading to his death). There are parallels between the trial and Socrates' trial, particularly in the sentencing which would take place if he were found guilty.
"This book clearly is cleverer than I am, I'm sure there is
something deeper that I don't know enough to appreciate" but
nonetheless "it is a slim, enjoyable book which is completely
different from anything I have read" and "it makes me think I
should go back and read what the real Plato wrote."
Seán 13/6/99
By the same author