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The King Must Die / The Bull from the Sea
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Format: Hardback
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Description
A hardcover omnibus edition of the two classic novels in which Mary Renault brilliantly recreates the legendary hero Theseus and his defeat of the Minotaur.
In two remarkable historical novels, Mary Renault fashions from the myth of Theseus a convincingly flawed hero and weaves a thrillingly plausible account of the Labyrinth and the infamous Minotaur.
The King Must Die follows the young Theseus as he discovers that his true father is the King of Athens, and volunteers to join the annual tribute of Athenian girls and youths sacrificed to a bull-worshipping cult on the island of Crete. Trapped in the labyrinthine palace of King Minos, Theseus enlists the help of high priestess Ariadne in a daring plan to free his people.
The Bull From the Sea begins after Theseus's triumphal return to Athens. He is now king, but his confidence will be shaken by a life-changing encounter with the queen of the Amazons, the birth of a son who will insist on choosing his own path, and the tragic results of his wife's treachery.
Renault's deep knowledge of the Greek world, her sure grasp of psychology and genius for inspired speculation bring the distant world of the legendary past enthrallingly to life.
Series: Everyman’s Library Contemporary 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?
The King Must Die / The Bull from the Sea is often praised for its rich historical setting and compelling character development. Many reviewers appreciate Renault's ability to bring ancient mythology to life with vivid and imaginative storytelling. Some note the depth of themes such as destiny and power, while others applaud the intricate portrayal of Theseus's journey. The novels are celebrated for their immersive narrative and emotive resonance, making them standout reads in the genre of historical fiction.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781841594095
Publisher: Everyman
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 13 October 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Everyman's Library
Contributors:
- Introduction by Daniel Mendelsohn
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 34.0mm
Width: 134.0mm
Height: 211.0mm
Weight: 661g
Pages: 120
About the Author
Mary Renault was educated at Clifton High School, Bristol and St Hugh's College, Oxford. Having completed nursing training in 1937, she then wrote her first novel Promise of Love. Her next three novels were written during off-time duty whilst serving in the war. In 1948 she went to live in South Africa but travelled widely. It was her trip to Greece and her visits to Corinth, Samos, Crete, Delos, Aegina and other islands, as well as to Athens, Sounion and Marathon, that resulted in her brilliant historical reconstructions of Ancient Greece. Mary Renault died in 1983.
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'Mary Renault's portraits of the ancient world are fierce, complex and eloquent, infused at every turn with her life-long passion for the Classics' - Madeline Miller, bestselling author of Circe. The true parentage of Theseus, grandson of the King of Troizon, has always been shrouded in mystery. Rumours swirl that his father is Poseidon himself. But when he learns the...Hardback$5000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Bull from the Sea
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...Paperback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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The Alexander Trilogy contains some of Renault's finest writing. Lyrical, wise, compelling: the novels are a wonderful imaginative feat - SARAH WATERS The heavens say it begins with the death of the King . . . Alexander the Great, conqueror of an empire stretching from Greece to Egypt to India, is dead at the age of thirty-three. His only direct...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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