The Persian Boy by Mary Renault Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Persian Boy
Book Review: History was never so sexy
Summary: 5 Stars
Before you see the two movies about Alexander the Great, especially the lush-looking Oliver Stone one (the exotic Angelina Jolie plays Alexander's mother), read this boo kas well as PLUTARCH'S LIVES, from which much of the good gossip about Alexander is taken.
In Mary Renault's richly woven novel with words that conjure up ancient battlefields and royal boudoirs, Alexander the Great's sandal tracks come to us by way of his eunuch lover, Bagoas, who as a Persian has to contend with Greek arrogance, Alexander's marriage to Roxane, and most of all with Al's more educated lover Hephaestion--as Nathan Lane quipped in "The Birdcage," "Talk about gays in the military!"
Bagoas, torn from his family and without a formal education, nevertheless becomes a wise observer and chronicler of Alexander's exploits, and more importantly the very human side of the man. A beautiful tender love story and retelling of history.
Book Review: I didn't like this book At ALL!
Summary: 1 Stars
First of all, I could not identify with Bagoas. If I were castrated I would have wanted to kill myself. It gave me a feeling of disgust trying to read the sexual scenes. Why would a woman want to write about man-boy sex as though it were real love? I can't imagine. Man-boy love I can understand, but though it might involve admiration, I can not imagine it involving sexual desire. Ugh! Secondly, Alexander didn't come across to me as a real human being; he came across to me like one of those guys in one of the Harlequin romances, although as an unbelievable goody-goody. [...] Finally, I felt that I learned very little from this book as a 'historical' novel. After reading 150 pages, I decided there was no merit in reading any further. I decided to go to Wikipedia to look up about Alexander's homosexuality or bisexuality and it said that there was very little documentation of it, although it seemed surmisable that he was bisexual, that he loved women also, but that he was not highly sexed. [...]Book Review: If you want to know about Alexander the Great...
Summary: 5 Stars
I have just been reading through reviews (positive & negative) of Oliver Stone's attempt to "do" Alexander the Great. And it struck me that those people were simply wasting their time.
If you want to know about Alexander the Great, read Mary Renault. If you want to understand Ancient Greece, read Mary Renault.
Oliver Stone does not even come close.
"The Persian Boy" is one of the best romantic novels ever written. It is thrilling and exciting stuff from beginning to end. And it is, fundamentally, as true a story we can expect about a man who has been dead for almost three thousand years. This wonderful novel will expand your mind; watching the Oliver Stone movie will make it shrink. It's just that simple.
Book Review: Incredible
Summary: 5 Stars
The Persian Boy is one of the best novels I have read in quite a long time. Renault gives us a clearly defined character in Bagoas, her style making his voice realistic and relatable. Having become so drawn in by the style of writing and the depth of character development, I found myself saddened to find I had come to the end. This will most certainly be one the books on my shelves that I will read multiple times.Book Review: More than happy
Summary: 5 Stars
I adore this book! It's well written and the characters are believeable. Ms. Renault did a fabulous job sticking with historical accuracy as much as possible, and that made it all the more wonderful. Now I want to know what REALLY happened! Anyone got a time machine?