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lucr3zia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jaypompeii's review against another edition
Had to move from the UK to Germany and this book just didn’t make the cut. Won’t purchase again if I see it in the wild
berenikeasteria's review against another edition
5.0
As in this book's prequel, we are thrown right into the middle of the action from the word go, but because "The Bull from the Sea" is a sequel to "The King Must Die", as readers we find our feet immediately, having read the events of "The King Must Die" and knowing instantly the situation in which Theseus finds himself. Once again, the book is told in first person, from Theseus' point of view - clearly he is recollecting his own past, but nothing is given away about how events will eventually unfold.
The plot arc is less obvious here than the classic coming of age tale which characterised "The King Must Die", but in a way "The Bull from the Sea" follows the coming of age tale in reverse. Having won his place as king of Athens, Theseus as an adult must lay down its laws and governance, and as a young man encounters Oedipus in an echo of what he himself will become, and also finds bond friends in Pirithoos and Hippolyta. However, as he grows older, events fall out of Theseus' control. The triumphant heroic epic of the first half of Theseus' life, covered in "The King Must Die", is mirrored by the second half of his life and turns into a tragic epic. Again, this cannot be put down entirely to Mary Renault, but the legend of Theseus itself, however Renault highlights these stark contrasts well, and "The King Must Die" and "The Bull from the Sea" are very comparable in this way.
There's not much new to say about the quality of writing in this sequel, since it matches the high standards of the first book. On the historical accuracy front, Renault is as ever extremely good, considering that she was writing in 1962 with only the historical and archaeological knowledge of that time. Renault addresses the fantastical elements of the Theseus myth with realistic and plausible interpretations, too, which is no easy task. Renault understood her subject intimately, and brings Theseus, and the Bronze Age Aegean, absolutely to life. As a reader I was sucked into the world she created on the page and at times forgot that I wasn't right by Theseus' side through all his adventures. There was never a single dull moment, and Renault hits each and every note perfectly, not once falling down in terms of literary quality. Thoughtful, clever, gripping. A true classic. Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in ancient history.
The plot arc is less obvious here than the classic coming of age tale which characterised "The King Must Die", but in a way "The Bull from the Sea" follows the coming of age tale in reverse. Having won his place as king of Athens, Theseus as an adult must lay down its laws and governance, and as a young man encounters Oedipus in an echo of what he himself will become, and also finds bond friends in Pirithoos and Hippolyta. However, as he grows older, events fall out of Theseus' control. The triumphant heroic epic of the first half of Theseus' life, covered in "The King Must Die", is mirrored by the second half of his life and turns into a tragic epic. Again, this cannot be put down entirely to Mary Renault, but the legend of Theseus itself, however Renault highlights these stark contrasts well, and "The King Must Die" and "The Bull from the Sea" are very comparable in this way.
There's not much new to say about the quality of writing in this sequel, since it matches the high standards of the first book. On the historical accuracy front, Renault is as ever extremely good, considering that she was writing in 1962 with only the historical and archaeological knowledge of that time. Renault addresses the fantastical elements of the Theseus myth with realistic and plausible interpretations, too, which is no easy task. Renault understood her subject intimately, and brings Theseus, and the Bronze Age Aegean, absolutely to life. As a reader I was sucked into the world she created on the page and at times forgot that I wasn't right by Theseus' side through all his adventures. There was never a single dull moment, and Renault hits each and every note perfectly, not once falling down in terms of literary quality. Thoughtful, clever, gripping. A true classic. Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in ancient history.
sandstorma's review against another edition
4.0
A good end to this retelling of Theseus’ life. Loved how Hippolyta was written.
noel_rene_cisneros's review against another edition
¿Qué fue de Teseo cuando venció al Minotauro? Renault contesta a esa simple pregunta en voz del propio Teseo, así nos narra cómo pereció su padre en el cabo de Sunión cuando olvidó cambiar las velas minóicas o cómo se casó con Fedra y cómo sedujo a Hipólita y vio crecer al hijo que con ella tuvo.
casiope's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
charlotte_50's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This book is second in a series about Theseus - one of the divine heroes of ancient Greece. The first book, The King Must Die, describes Theseus' childhood and young adulthood in the Cretan Labyrinth. Its sequel moves onto Theseus' subsequent life, as a great leader of the Attic people, and as lover/consort of both Hippolyta and Phaedra.
It is written as a historical novel, but the protagonist is someone who was (almost certainly) a myth. It provides semi-realist explanations of events that are non-realist or supernatural in mythology, such as the Minotaur. You could say Renault’s real talent lies in bringing to life a sense of how those wild and wonderful ancient stories might have played out. With human beings who were both recognisably human and also not quite exactly like us.
As in other Renault novels, the main character of Theseus is a study of masculinity as much as anything. Perhaps not masculinity exactly as we know it today, but certainly an older form of it. Male leaders are honourable, strong, courageous, and, perhaps most importantly, bound to their gods and their destiny. Women are part of their lives but mostly keep to their own activities in the patriarchy - sex, motherhood, and so on. Theseus is a bit of a ladies man, but halfway through the book, he meets his match when he comes across and falls instantly in love with Hippolyta, leader of the Amazons. This part of the book grabbed me the most.
Without spoiling the plot, the descriptions of Hippolyta and her Maidens of the Moon (Amazon women who worship the goddess Artemis) are quite magical. These women are different from the run-of-the-mill consorts and slave-girls we see earlier. They are strong and powerful in themselves; they have their own society, rituals and abilities as warriors. I have no idea if Renault saw herself as a feminist, but her vision of the Amazons has much to recommend a feminist reading. Through the eyes of a man (Theseus), we see how much more interesting, active and self-actualised the Amazons are, than the roles usually assigned to their gender. Theseus is understandably bewitched.
Renault was a lesbian writer known for writing about gay male relationships in the ancient world (see The Alexander Trilogy among others). In this book, her characterisation of the all-female Amazon matriarchy and Hippolyta is joyfully sapphic. She doesn't get lost in modern comment on this, however. She is careful to keep the actions and thoughts of her characters in the time in which they lived. For example, alongside his love of women, Theseus has a very close, almost romantic friendship with his best buddy, Pirithoos. People in the ancient world simply did not view sexuality or identity in the way we do now.
I recommend this book as heartily as I recommend all Renault's ancient world novels. They take you out of yourself and into a world that is full of heightened sense and emotion.
It is written as a historical novel, but the protagonist is someone who was (almost certainly) a myth. It provides semi-realist explanations of events that are non-realist or supernatural in mythology, such as the Minotaur. You could say Renault’s real talent lies in bringing to life a sense of how those wild and wonderful ancient stories might have played out. With human beings who were both recognisably human and also not quite exactly like us.
As in other Renault novels, the main character of Theseus is a study of masculinity as much as anything. Perhaps not masculinity exactly as we know it today, but certainly an older form of it. Male leaders are honourable, strong, courageous, and, perhaps most importantly, bound to their gods and their destiny. Women are part of their lives but mostly keep to their own activities in the patriarchy - sex, motherhood, and so on. Theseus is a bit of a ladies man, but halfway through the book, he meets his match when he comes across and falls instantly in love with Hippolyta, leader of the Amazons. This part of the book grabbed me the most.
Without spoiling the plot, the descriptions of Hippolyta and her Maidens of the Moon (Amazon women who worship the goddess Artemis) are quite magical. These women are different from the run-of-the-mill consorts and slave-girls we see earlier. They are strong and powerful in themselves; they have their own society, rituals and abilities as warriors. I have no idea if Renault saw herself as a feminist, but her vision of the Amazons has much to recommend a feminist reading. Through the eyes of a man (Theseus), we see how much more interesting, active and self-actualised the Amazons are, than the roles usually assigned to their gender. Theseus is understandably bewitched.
Renault was a lesbian writer known for writing about gay male relationships in the ancient world (see The Alexander Trilogy among others). In this book, her characterisation of the all-female Amazon matriarchy and Hippolyta is joyfully sapphic. She doesn't get lost in modern comment on this, however. She is careful to keep the actions and thoughts of her characters in the time in which they lived. For example, alongside his love of women, Theseus has a very close, almost romantic friendship with his best buddy, Pirithoos. People in the ancient world simply did not view sexuality or identity in the way we do now.
I recommend this book as heartily as I recommend all Renault's ancient world novels. They take you out of yourself and into a world that is full of heightened sense and emotion.
samble's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kellyquinn13's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25