persian funeral copyright alexander

books:

10 reviews
Mary Renault

Vintage, 2003

the emotional connection
there are many reviews of ms. renault's work here already, so i will keep this very brief: the reason mary renault is my favorite author is that she can bring the emotional and human quality of her characters to the surface. she makes these long dead people with strange names come alive. she gives them a quotidian life. she makes them human, and humane. true, her knowledge of the ancient ...

The Last of the Wine

45 reviews
Mary Renault

Vintage, 2001

A great book for anyone interested in the Peloponnesian War
The Last of the Wine is arguably one of Mary Renault's best books. Its moving tale of the collapse of Athens into Sparta and its eventual resurrection are seen through the eyes of the growing figure of Alexias. He becomes interested in the phliosophy of Socrates and through Socrates meets various young philosophers and students of philosophy, including Xenophon, conservative but brave; Phaedo, ...

The King Must Die: A Novel

73 reviews
Mary Renault

Vintage, 1988

The King Must Die
I had read this book when it was first published years ago, then again a bit after that, so it was a long hiatus until reading it again now. I must say, its magic had not abated and it held me in its spell from beginning to end. I only regret it's not a longer book, but I have the sequel ready to open, so that should take care of that. Lovely writing, gripping story and characters, Renault at ...

The Bull from the Sea

24 reviews
Mary Renault

Vintage, 2001

A magnificent tale of heroism, romance, and tragedy.
The word "tragedy" is bandied about so much nowadays that it has become devalued. Any death, accident, or painful occurrence is routinely labeled "tragic". But if you want to understand the true meaning of tragedy, read this book! Theseus is a hero - a difficult idea for modern people to accept, in our prosaic times - and Mary Renault does a brilliant job of showing us his heroism, rather than ...

Funeral Games

18 reviews
Mary Renault

Vintage, 2002

Visceral, A Fitting Finale.
"Funeral Games" is the final stroke of Mary Renault's epic Alexander trilogy. It is a haunting, exciting novel on the world tearing itself apart after the death of Alexander and the confusion engulfing his men as to who will run the vast empire, or more precisely, who will be master of the world. As always Renault's use of detail shines, she does a wonderful service by taking history and showing ...

The Nature of Alexander

23 reviews
Mary Renault

Pantheon, 1979

Very enjoyable read...
I'm one of the fortunate ones who have a hardback edition with the 4 page fold-out full color map of Alexander's travels (hehe). Mary Reneaul has Alexander down pat, as far as I'm concerned. I admit I'm an Alexander enthusiast (pro-Alexander as opposed to, say, Bosworth's or Green's anti-Alexander). If you're from the anti- camp, you won't enjoy this book.

The Persian Boy

70 reviews
Mary Renault

Vintage, 1988

A huge hit
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down, so I ended up reading from about 11 pm to 6 am. This is probably the first real historical fiction I've ever read, and it's made me hungry for more. ::grins:: The characters were believable, if Renaults portrayal of the times/societies were correct. I loved Bagoas' "voice", and his absolute devotion and love he develops for Alexander. You see Alexander's ...

Fire from Heaven

32 reviews
Mary Renault

Vintage, 2002

A SUPERIOR AUTHOR
Wish they'd reprint all Mary Renault's work for today's readers, since she's a master at bringing you right into the times. She writes with authority, which she had, and with an authenticity that takes your breath away. This is her first book about Alexander, to be followed by "The Persian Boy", which is my favorite book of all time. If this time period and Alexander the Great fascinates you ...

The Mask of Apollo: A Novel

18 reviews
Mary Renault

Vintage, 1988

Passion, the Future and the Gods
There are three elements that make this a great novel. First is Renault's ingenious device to critique Plato and Dion through the eyes of an actor. Plato's greatest intellectual flaw, to many, is his devotion to logic at the expense of the passions. The actor, who earns his bread through the inspiration of passion, can see instantly the weaknesses and where they will ultimately lead. Second, ...

The Charioteer

24 reviews
Mary Renault

Vintage, 2003

One More Vote for a Historical Screen Adaptation
I agree that I have always pictured this as a movie. It seemed like a natural subject for Merchant and Ivory, though it is too late for that, now. Someone said it isn't a historical title, but since I didn't live through WWII on the British home front, it was for me. The immediacy of war---the black out, people dying in their own homes, all young men being military---this is what seemed most ...

The King Must Die Copyright (1958)
Mary Renault, 1958

The Persian Boy
Mary Renault

Bantam Books, 1978

A magnificent novel revealing a little-known facet of the life of Alexander the Great, who in his 33 years conquered most of the known world and changed the entire course of history. The story is told by Alexander's young companion Bagoas - a real historical figure. A reading experience that will linger long in the memory.

The King Must Die & The Bull from the Sea

1 review
Mary Renault

Science Fiction Book Club, 1998

My most reread historical fiction
Mary Renault's historical fiction books are classics. Good literature with a wonderful sense of metaphore. She stays very close to, then enhances, mythical "history." Character development is excellent and her style is descriptive, yet not with the overpowering self-indulgence of some modern authors that tends to get in the way of the story. Incidentally, the jacket art of this (these two)books ...

search for books
alexander, charioteer, copyright, funeral, persian

Impressum / about us