The Mask of Apollo
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The Mask of Apollo
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The Mask of Apollo
Combining the scholarship of a historian with the imagination of a novelist, Mary Renault brings the ancient Greek stage thrillingly to life.
Set in fourth-century B.C. 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 theatre's golden age, which is now past.
At first his mascot, the mask gradually becomes his conscience, and he refers to it for his gravest decisions, when he finds himself at the centre of a political crisis in which the philosopher Plato is also involved.
Much of the action is set in Syracuse, where Plato's friend Dion is trying to persuade the young tyrant Dionysios the Younger to accept the rule of law. Through Nikeratos' eyes, the reader watches as the clash between the two unleashes all the pent-up violence in the city.
Series: Virago Modern Classics
View allBook 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 Mask of Apollo by Mary Renault receives high praise for its authentic portrayal of ancient Greece, capturing its distinct and captivating essence. Renault skilfully illuminates the complexities and nuances of Greek culture, making the historical period come alive with vivid imagery and depth. Her work is celebrated for bridging the gap between history and mythology, offering a profound and engaging exploration of the past that resonates with modern readers.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781844089567
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 August 2015
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Virago Press Ltd
Contributors:
- Introduction by Charlotte Mendelson
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 32.0mm
Width: 127.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 290g
Pages: 416
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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