I think my main complaint (re-reading 'Fire From Heaven' currently) is that Alexander is presented as a 'Mary Sue'. He is simply perfect, in almost every possible aspect. A natural leader, talented at just about anything he turns his hand to, a remarkable beauty, etc, etc. This problem is somewhat mitigated by Renault's outstanding prose. Although she can sometimes get mired in the mythology, potentially making it difficult for those unfamiliar with the names and placenames, the history and the events being referred to (a lot is assumed on the part of the reader), every so often she will write a few lines, or a passage, which transcend the text and sticks with the reader long after much of the rest is forgotten. Still, I'm loooking forward to re-reading 'The Persian Boy', but I'm somewhat wary of 'Funeral Games' (long considered the least successful of Renault's 'Alexander Triology').
Agreed. I kind of interpreted her writing as mythology as opposed to historical fiction. I think this was reinforced through her continued reference to Alexander’s divine parentage, so I was more forgiving of his perceived perfection.
Hi Benjamin. I am currently reading this book. I should have resisted listening to your review but as I have said before, I love your voice so resistance is futile lol. You really need a career in voice work. I want to listen to you narrate novels!!! I am only a third of the way through this book but I am enjoying it so far. Really want to learn more about Alexander and Hephaestion and their love for one another. Thank you for the review as always. Take care and ps I love your Tee shirt. Again please read and review The Charioteer by Mary Renault
I love your review. Actually I just finished the first two book of the trilogy. I really enjoy the Persian boy, which is the sequel, and it was the story of Alexander as the Great King after he conquered Persia, told by his lover boy Bagoas (first person narrative), a beautiful persian eunuch who had been with him for 7-8 years. Same as Fire from Heaven, the book allows us to observe Alexander’s relationships with people around him as he conquered the world, especially the sexual and romantic ones. It was written marvelously and beautifully. Truly recommend :)
@@benreads ABSOLUTELY AGREE! But the Persian Boy is much easier to read (I think it’s because the pov was shifted from third person to first person too), comparing to fire from heaven. It was a pleasant reading to me, and now just become my new favourite :)
Alexander: "Go away!"
Philip: Yeet!
I have not read this book, but I enjoyed your review. Great details that you tied in with your opinions.
I think my main complaint (re-reading 'Fire From Heaven' currently) is that Alexander is presented as a 'Mary Sue'. He is simply perfect, in almost every possible aspect. A natural leader, talented at just about anything he turns his hand to, a remarkable beauty, etc, etc. This problem is somewhat mitigated by Renault's outstanding prose. Although she can sometimes get mired in the mythology, potentially making it difficult for those unfamiliar with the names and placenames, the history and the events being referred to (a lot is assumed on the part of the reader), every so often she will write a few lines, or a passage, which transcend the text and sticks with the reader long after much of the rest is forgotten.
Still, I'm loooking forward to re-reading 'The Persian Boy', but I'm somewhat wary of 'Funeral Games' (long considered the least successful of Renault's 'Alexander Triology').
Agreed. I kind of interpreted her writing as mythology as opposed to historical fiction. I think this was reinforced through her continued reference to Alexander’s divine parentage, so I was more forgiving of his perceived perfection.
Hey where did you get that sweet shirt? I love it.
Hi Benjamin. I am currently reading this book. I should have resisted listening to your review but as I have said before, I love your voice so resistance is futile lol.
You really need a career in voice work. I want to listen to you narrate novels!!!
I am only a third of the way through this book but I am enjoying it so far. Really want to learn more about Alexander and Hephaestion and their love for one another.
Thank you for the review as always. Take care and ps I love your Tee shirt.
Again please read and review The Charioteer by Mary Renault
I will check this out - thanks!
I love your review. Actually I just finished the first two book of the trilogy. I really enjoy the Persian boy, which is the sequel, and it was the story of Alexander as the Great King after he conquered Persia, told by his lover boy Bagoas (first person narrative), a beautiful persian eunuch who had been with him for 7-8 years. Same as Fire from Heaven, the book allows us to observe Alexander’s relationships with people around him as he conquered the world, especially the sexual and romantic ones. It was written marvelously and beautifully. Truly recommend :)
Thank you. I have been wanting to start the Persian boy, but her writing is so dense it takes me a little while to get through! 😂
@@benreads ABSOLUTELY AGREE! But the Persian Boy is much easier to read (I think it’s because the pov was shifted from third person to first person too), comparing to fire from heaven. It was a pleasant reading to me, and now just become my new favourite :)
Love your review, and I can't help to notice they use a roman tyrant Heliogabalus as the book cover. A strange choice for the publisher.