The Persian Boy by Mary Renault Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Persian Boy
Book Review: Very affecting novel about Alexander the Great and his lover
Summary: 4 Stars
The first time I read this book it made me cry - having read Fire from Heaven I had very much entered into the feelings of Hephaistion, Alexander's boyhood lover, and it was my appreciation of how he (if he was at all as the author portrays him) must have felt about the arrival of a new lover. This is Renault's strength, that she can make you feel so much as if this is not fiction but history, that it is real. So much so that on reading Robin Lane-Fox's Search for Alexander, I was pleased to read that there is no evidence that Bagoas was Alexander's lover, and that some historians have doubted his very existence! The society of ancient Persia is very little known and this book really makes you feel you know exactly what it was like. Do not read it (or indeed any of Renault's work) if you are homophobic. I also get the feeling she didn't have much time for women, but in the context of ancient Greece this is not surprising.Book Review: Woah!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had to read this book for a research project and I loved it! You will not be able to put it down at all, trust me. If you love Alexander The Great this book was made for you!Book Review: Wonderful
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book the first time I read it rwo years ago. I'm a hopeless romantic. I've always been fascinated by Alexander, and have managed to seperate Renault's idealist veiw from reality. Still, it is a wonderful book. For anyone else wanting to learn about the historical Alexander I suggest you read IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ALEXANDER. I forget who it's by, but it goes along with a PBS documentary by the same name. Both are utterly fascinating.Book Review: Wonderful wonderful part two...but don't skip part one!
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading so many glowing reviews of THE PERSIAN BOY and after being told that it could be read as a stand-alone book from Renault's Alexander Trilogy, I was anxious to jump right in. But at the last minute decided to read part one, FIRE FROM HEAVEN first. And I'm so glad I did. Not only does the first book give you a thorough grounding in the history of Alexander's youth and the conquests of his father Philip of Macedon, it also sets up the first leg of the romance triangle between Alexander, his boyhood soulmate Hephastion, and Bagoas, the "Persian Boy".
While FIRE FROM HEAVEN is well written, fast-paced and thread through with betrayal, Oedipal intrigue, battlelust and romance, it really just lays the ground work for Renault's masterpiece, THE PERSIAN BOY. This book was an incredible read. Bagoas' narration makes this novel utterly engaging from the first sentence. (I DARE you to read the first paragraph of this book and put it aside!) Bagoas is, at turns heroic, petty, brave, self-preserving and selfless-- in sum: a fully fleshed out character with flaws and claws, and an absolute pleasure to know. This is a great read on its own, but you'll feel the joys and sorrows of the characters tenfold if you take the time to read Fire From Heaven first.
Book Review: Wonderful!
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't see how anyone could say this book is "weaker" or "less-likeable" than "Fire From Heaven." While liking that book, I thought "The Persian Boy" was even better (BTW, there IS evidence that Bagaos existed). It is a fascinating story, rich in historical detail. Bagaos is a warm, vital character. Having the story told by him allowed me to swallow Renault's idealization of Alexander's character (yes, I cried at the end!). I highly recommend this novel.