The Persian Boy cover art

The Persian Boy

A Novel of Alexander the Great

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The Persian Boy

By: Mary Renault
Narrated by: Roger May
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About this listen

The Persian Boy traces the last years of Alexander's life through the eyes of his lover, Bagoas. Abducted and gelded as a boy, Bagoas is sold as a courtesan to King Darius of Persia, but finds freedom with Alexander the Great after the Macedon army conquers his homeland.

Their relationship sustains Alexander as he weathers assassination plots, the demands of two foreign wives, a sometimes mutinous army, and his own ferocious temper. After Alexander's mysterious death, we are left wondering if this Persian boy understood the great warrior and his ambitions better than anyone.

©1972 Mary Renault (P)2014 Audible Studios Ancient Historical Fiction Fiction Ancient History Ancient Greece

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Critic reviews

"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. Her characters live vividly both in their own time, and in ours." (Madeline Miller)

"All my sense of the ancient world - its values, its style, the scent of its wars and passions - comes from Mary Renault. I turned to writing historical fiction because of something I learned from Renault: that it lets you shake off the mental shackles of your own era, all the categories and labels, and write freely about what really matters to you." (Emma Donoghue)
All stars
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Gorgeous story, enjoyed that very much. Well narrated too. Last hour was a slog. But overall well worth the time.

Lovely story

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Padding out what we know of the achievements of Alexander the Great from the imagined perspective of Bagoas, the Eunuch "inherited" from the Persian king whom he defeated. Enjoyable and well narrated. The only annoyance for me was the pronunciation of bier to rhyme with buyer.

Historical fiction from the perspective of Bagoas

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Excellent fictional biography of Alexander,seen through Bagoas' eyes. Great detail although Bagoas' adoration I found irritating at times,otherwise a very enjoyable read.

Intriguing

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Beautifully written. Intensely involving and engaging and the ancient world comes to life. The descriptions of love and loving actions and the acceptance of fate were standouts. For me, a masterpiece
Roger May is superb at creating the different voices heard and his pacing gives a sense of authority and confidence to the story.

masterful

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An excellent novel, replete with battles and descriptions of the time of Alexander. Without doubt, this is one of Mary Renault's best books. She really "brings to life" the .atmosphere of the time. I was truly sorry when I finished the story I enjoyed it so much.
The narrator was first class. He ensured the novel became completely enjoyable.

Brilliant !

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