Founded in 1997, has become a leading book price comparison site. I like the way nikeratos life spans major historical events and how his world changes in his life. Whenever i reread the mask of apollo i am so swept away i have trouble remembering why i named one of mary renaults other books as her best. Browse mary renaults bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Rowling, short stories saki, sherlock tv, gondal bronte children, lord peter wimsey dorothy l. Her characters live vividly both in their own time, and in ours madeline miller i never learned l. The mask of apollo is an historical novel by mary renault, set in ancient greece in the 4th century b. Set in the ancient greek world during the 4th century bc, the novel is written as the firstperson.
The protagonist in the mask of apollo is an actor about 20 years younger than plato, whom he meets and whose school of. Under the aegis of a carved wooden mask of the god apollo an ancient greek actor leads a vibrant life full of professional success, romantic fulfilment and astonishing interface with many important historical events and leading personalities of his day. Through dions devotion to the philosopher plato, nikeratos, although dedicated to the arduous calling of the theatre symbolized by his mask of apollo observes and participates in the real drama of the external and internal struggle of dionas he is bypassed at the death of dionysios for the obviously inadequate young dionysios, and. At first his mascot, the mask gradually becomes his conscience, and he refers to. The mask of apollo hardcover january 1, 1966 by mary renault author. Mary renault 19051983 was a britishborn midtwentieth century author of contemporary and historical novels.
Pages can include considerable notesin pen or highlighterbut the notes cannot obscure the text. Hb grey cloth inscription tape bleed on prelims foxing good pp378 dw good 8v0 carying on chronologically from the last of the wine the mask of apollo by renault mary. Through the eyes of this warm, sympathetic and living character we experience the warweary. And i have never ever read the praise singer, and until today i had never read the mask of apollo. It was her historical novels set in ancient greecethe first of which was published in 1956which led to her wide popularity. Mary renault set in greece of the fourth century b. Both books tell the same story, but from a different perspective.
In the fourth century bc, nikeratos is an actor, a devotee of plato, and a friend of dion of syracuse. Shes also a very good historian from what i understand. This the story of nikeratos, an actor in ancient greece who, in addition to relating tales of his professional life, also describes his friendships with some of the big names of the time, including plato and aristotle. Mary renault tells the story of the actor nikeratos. Renaults special feeling for the relationship between a teacher and a student imbues the poignant finale of the mask of apollo, her 1966 novel about an athenian actor who gets mixed up in. Mary renaults portraits of the ancient world are fierce, complex and eloquent, infused at every turn with her lifelong passion for the classics. Combining the scholarship of a historian with the imagination of a novelist, mary renault brings the ancient greek stage thrillingly to life. I read this book all over the place yesterday and today, and i did it at my parents house where you may have heard. The mask of apollo by mary renault overdrive rakuten. Publication date 1966 topics actors publisher new york, pantheon books collection.
It specifically concerns dramatic political events in sicily as seen through his eyes. The protagonist in the mask of apollo is an actor about 20 years younger than plato, whom he meets and whose school of philosophy intrigues him. Mary renault born eileen mary challans was born in the year 1905 in london, where her dad was a doctor. Its timeline lies between the last of the wine which was. Its a wonderful book, and what makes it so great is the confidence of his voice. Though not as famous as some of the authors other novels of ancient greece, the mask of apollo is a great story. The mask of apollo tells the story of nikeratos, the gifted tragic actor at the. The mask of apollo book by mary renault thriftbooks.
The mask of apollo by mary renault over 5000 historical novels. Mary renault is a fine writersomething of a rarity in historical fiction. Sayers, miss marple agatha christie teen and up audiences. The mask of apollo also has been narrated by nikeratos, the tragic actor who takes with him on all his travels a gold mask of apollo. Her early works, which had a contemporary setting, were only moderately successful. The mask of apollo by mary renault, 1977, bantam books edition, in english. The mask of apollo is about nikeratos, an actor in the fourth century bc, who becomes a friend of platos and sees close up the exciting events. It was there that she met her lifelong partner, fellow nurse julie mullard. Buy a cheap copy of the mask of apollo book by mary renault. Mary renault books list of books by author mary renault. It feels utterly authentic in every line, as if renault had lived for a. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. She went to oxford first with the idea that she would become a teacher, but later found she wanted to be a writer instead, and after she got.
She went to oxford first with the idea that she would become a teacher, but later found she wanted to be a writer instead, and after she got her degree she should broaden her knowledge on human life. At first his mascot, the mask gradually becomes his conscience, and he refers. The story is delightfully infused with convincing period detail. Mary renault is a genius at creating historical novels of ancient greece, whose lively protagonists have virtues mitigated by still lovable flaws. The historical fiction of mary renault an introduction. The mask of apollo book of the month club mary renault vintage hardcover 1966 buy with confidence. Its timeline lies between the last of the wine which was written first and fire from heaven which was written later. Amongst the best mary renault book series, this one has gained a huge popularity. The mary renault society, a group centered on the triangle area of north carolina, is named after a writer who created extraordinary historical novels and at the same time fostered societal tolerance towards homosexuality. Buy the mask of apollo by mary renault, in good condition. Mary renault audio books, best sellers, author bio. This novel of ancient greece, featuring plato and a young actor, by the bestselling author of the novels of alexander the great, is a shining light hilary mantel, man booker awardwinning author of wolf hall and bring up the bodies.
I havent read the last of the wine since high school. I havent read mary renaults theseus books in several years. Click to read more about the mask of apollo by mary renault. The mask of apollo is a historical novel written by mary renault. Mary renault born eileen mary challans, 4 september 1905 december 1983, was an english author who resided in south africa with her partner, julie mullard, in a community of gay expatriates. The mask of apollo mary renault works archive of our own. Greece, the mask of apollo is narrated by nikeratos, a tragic actor who takes with him on all his travels a gold mask of apollo, a relic of the theaters golden age, which is now past. The mask of apollo is the life of an athenian actor during the time of plato.
1641 1137 918 1229 1604 899 1035 1099 248 399 1598 1154 532 1248 829 637 1126 374 839 1563 1481 1241 914 1455 1423 294 1311 205 1193 988 320 1336 1315 295 725 1388