
The Perilous Seat (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Young Adult Historical Adventure of Delphi, the Temple of Apollo, and Courage in Ancient GreeceBy Caroline Dale SnedekerLength9h 48m
About this audiobook
The Perilous Seat is a historical novel in which danger gathers around the symbolic "seat" of power, responsibility, and moral testing. Snedeker shapes the narrative with the clarity and gravity characteristic of early twentieth-century juvenile historical fiction: vivid period detail, restrained prose, and a strong ethical architecture. Rather than treating the past as mere costume, the book uses historical distance to examine courage, loyalty, and the cost of public duty. Caroline Dale Snedeker (1871–1956) was an American author best known for historically grounded fiction for young readers, especially works set in the classical world. Her lifelong fascination with antiquity, combined with a didactic but imaginative literary temperament, led her to write novels that made remote civilizations emotionally accessible. Like her Newbery-recognized books, this work reflects her belief that history should cultivate both knowledge and character. Readers who appreciate thoughtful historical fiction will find The Perilous Seat rewarding for its seriousness of purpose and humane intelligence. It is especially recommended to those interested in youth literature that respects its audience, offering suspense, atmosphere, and moral reflection without sacrificing narrative grace.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreYoung Adult
Length9 hrs 48 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 10, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5PREFACE
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6BOOK I AT THE PYTHIAN FESTIVAL
7CHAPTER I DRYAS WINS THE PRIZE
8CHAPTER II PARENTAL JUSTICE
9BOOK II A CHILDHOOD IN DELPHI
10CHAPTER III THERIA, SEVEN YEARS OLD
11CHAPTER IV ELEUTHERIA LOOKS OUT OF A WINDOW
12CHAPTER V THE TRADITIONS OF THE HOUSE
13CHAPTER VI THE GUESTS
14CHAPTER VII WHAT GIFTS THE GUESTS BROUGHT
15CHAPTER VIII DRYAS TAKES A ROBBER
16CHAPTER IX LAUREL FROM TEMPÈ
17CHAPTER X A BOY CALLED SOPHOCLES
18CHAPTER XI WHY NOT BE THE PYTHIA?
19BOOK III WITHIN THE ORACLE
20CHAPTER XII “THE PLACE OF GOLDEN TRIPODS”
21CHAPTER XIII IN PLEISTOS WOODS
22CHAPTER XIV THE POOR SLAVE
23CHAPTER XV THE SHATTERED CUP
24CHAPTER XVI GATHERING THE THREADS
25CHAPTER XVII A YOUTH UNDER THE WINDOW
26CHAPTER XVIII GATHERING MORE THREADS
27CHAPTER XIX THE SONG RE-SUNG
28CHAPTER XX LOVE IN THE LANE
29CHAPTER XXI A PROCESSION OF SACRIFICE
30CHAPTER XXII IN THE PYTHIA HOUSE
31CHAPTER XXIII THE CHILD PRIESTESS
32CHAPTER XXIV THE HIGH, PERILOUS SEAT
33CHAPTER XXV BITTER CONSEQUENCES
34CHAPTER XXVI “PRAY TO THE WINDS”
35CHAPTER XXVII THE MESSENGERS
36CHAPTER XXVIII AN OUTCAST ON PARNASSOS
37CHAPTER XXIX EËTÍON PURSUES
38CHAPTER XXX SHEPHERD WISDOM
39CHAPTER XXXI NIKANDER’S NEAREST OF KIN
40CHAPTER XXXII TERRIBLE NEWS FROM THERMOPYLÆ
41CHAPTER XXXIII AT EËTÍON’S CALL
42CHAPTER XXXIV EËTÍON AND NIKANDER
43CHAPTER XXXV THERIA TELLS HER VISION
44CHAPTER XXXVI REFUGE IN THE PRECINCT
45BOOK IV THE GOD WILL CARE FOR HIS OWN
46CHAPTER XXXVII THE PERSIAN COMES
47CHAPTER XXXVIII THANKFULNESS
48CHAPTER XXXIX NIKANDER PLEADS FOR HIS DAUGHTER
49CHAPTER XL AGAIN HOME
50CHAPTER XLI A SCULPTOR’S RESPECTABILITY