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The Bull from the Sea

A Virago Modern Classic
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( 4,202 ratings, 278 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Bull from the Sea by Mary Renault continues the tale of the legendary hero Theseus. After his triumph over the Minotaur, Theseus returns to Athens to rule. The novel intricately weaves together his attempts to bring about prosperity, his complex personal relationships, and the challenges he faces, blending myth and imagined history in a richly detailed narrative.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy a captivating retelling of Greek myths, filled with vivid descriptions and complex characters. You'll be drawn into a world that seamlessly blends historical detail with mythical elements, particularly focusing on the legendary hero Theseus and his adventures. With Mary Renault's seamless prose, it offers a fascinating exploration of power, heroism, and the human condition.

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The sequel to Mary Renault's classic The King Must Die, which continues the story of the mythological hero Theseus after his return from Crete.

The sequel to Mary Renault's classic The King Must Die, which continues the story of the mythological hero Theseus after his return from Crete.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This second instalment in the story of the legendary hero begins with Theseus' triumphant return from Crete after slaying the Minotaur.

Having freed the city of Athens from the onerous tribute demanded by the ruler of Knossos — the sacrifice of noble youths and maidens to the appetite of the Labyrinth's monster — Theseus has returned home to find his father dead and himself the new king. But his adventures have only just begun: he still must confront the Amazons, capture their queen, Hippolyta, and face the tragic results of Phaedra's jealous rage.

Piecing together the fragments of myth and using her deep understanding of the cultures reflected in these legends, Mary Renault has constructed an enthralling narrative of a time when heroes battled monsters and gods strode the earth.

The Bull from the Sea weaves a tale that breathes life into ancient myths, capturing the enduring struggle between ambition, loyalty, and destiny.

Series: Virago Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Mary Renault is celebrated for her vivid and insightful portraits of ancient Greece, presenting its unique and alien qualities rather than drawing direct parallels to the modern world. Her work is infused with a deep passion for the Classics, bringing the characters to life in a way that resonates with both their time and ours. Her novels, particularly those featuring Theseus, are highlighted for their thrilling exploration of historical fiction, inspiring readers and writers to experience the ancient world in a deeply immersive manner.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781844089628

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 March 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Virago Press Ltd

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Bettany Hughes

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 230g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Mary Renault (1905-1983) was born in London and educated at St Hughs, Oxford. She trained as a nurse at Oxford's Radcliffe Infirmary, where she met her lifelong partner, Julie Mullard. Her first novel, Purposes of Love, was published in 1937. In 1948, after North Face won a MGM prize worth $150,000, she and Mullard emigrated to South Africa. There, Renault was able to write forthrightly about homosexual relationships for the first time - in her masterpiece, The Charioteer (1953), and then in her first historical novel, The Last of the Wine (1956). Renault's vivid novels set in the ancient world brought her worldwide fame. In 2010 Fire From Heaven was shortlisted for the Lost Booker of 1970.

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