seconddaysea's review against another edition
4.0
I think my favorite book so far of hers for it's ability to bring classic Greece to life, with its characters and her lovely prose.
The dealings with the war however are incredibly boring and kind of painful actually to get through, I do wish it were just about the sophistry and their life. Kind of a weird stance for me, when I usually enjoy that sort of thing, and definitely enjoyed it in Renault's other books.
It's not exactly a book about Lysis and Alexias and their relationship to me (which would have been nice but I found I did not particularly miss), though there are reviews that say as much. Rather, they come as such a pair that any mention of Alexias involves Lysis and vice-versa. There's no real drama or differentiation between them. Maybe not a bad thing though; their love for each other, their sense of honor and dignity, they're caricatures in a way as the rest of the world moves around them. A safe berth from which to view the story unfolding.
The dealings with the war however are incredibly boring and kind of painful actually to get through, I do wish it were just about the sophistry and their life. Kind of a weird stance for me, when I usually enjoy that sort of thing, and definitely enjoyed it in Renault's other books.
It's not exactly a book about Lysis and Alexias and their relationship to me (which would have been nice but I found I did not particularly miss), though there are reviews that say as much. Rather, they come as such a pair that any mention of Alexias involves Lysis and vice-versa. There's no real drama or differentiation between them. Maybe not a bad thing though; their love for each other, their sense of honor and dignity, they're caricatures in a way as the rest of the world moves around them. A safe berth from which to view the story unfolding.
cinaedussinister's review against another edition
3.0
Ok so this book was so very gay so I enjoyed reading it muchly. also liked the kind of historical/epic format of it that kinda reminded me of a cross between the iliad and Thucydides' history of the Peloponnesian War. unfortunately the writing also reminded me of Thucydides. that is not a good thing. quite dry. the characters were great (justice for Phaedo) & full of character but tbh the plot felt kinda all over the place by the end. like,, what was that ending.
overall, not the worst, not the best. read the song of achilles instead methinks
overall, not the worst, not the best. read the song of achilles instead methinks
kweziferguson's review against another edition
3.0
Much philosophical, very history, so greek and even a little gay
This book was beautiful but it broke my brain at times as it was difficult to follow in places. If you are a lover of Greek history and philosophy then this book will be for you but do keep Google at the ready because there are lots of words you are not going to understand. I don't regret adding this book to my Audible library. Educational and well written but got a bit overwhelming towards the end. That said I enjoyed it very much.
This book was beautiful but it broke my brain at times as it was difficult to follow in places. If you are a lover of Greek history and philosophy then this book will be for you but do keep Google at the ready because there are lots of words you are not going to understand. I don't regret adding this book to my Audible library. Educational and well written but got a bit overwhelming towards the end. That said I enjoyed it very much.
pvnmeh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
juliarchetype's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
daemonad's review against another edition
4.0
If a historical fiction with a similar premise was written today, you would get a story about a crossdressing, progressive female, suffering in a misogynist culture, you would get a world like a snow globe, except instead of snow there would be glitter of all colors, shining at you from every direction. You would face great evil in the form of a straight white male and a supreme virtue in the form of gay people etc. In short, you would not get Ancient Greece. Thankfully Mary Renault wrote this book fifty years ago, allowing me to be swept into the story of Alexias, a Greek aristocrat, living at the end of the Athen's Golden Age. This was not a story about queer love as some people today would like to label it. It was a story about noble love which in the mind of ancient Greeks was possible only if you were a man capable of loving another man.
Spoiler
The only reason why I am not giving this masterpiece 5 stars is Alexias. I had to keep reminding myself that he is writing a book for posterity and his view of himself or his love was as a result rather superficial. Basically he and Lysis were just two Gary Stews. I was far more fascinated by Myron, Alexias's father. What a hard man. I knew that Lysis would die from the moment he became enthusiastic about getting married and start a family. My heart bled for Alexias when he had to expose his baby brother and I hated his guts when in the middle of pitch battle, he called Lysis like a dumb five-year-old to brag he killed Kritias. From his point, Kritias was debased and written as the stereotypical evil pedophile_mephistopheles_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This is the first book that's I've read from this author. Really liked the detailed descriptions of life in Ancient Athens throughout the Peloponnesian War. It was interesting to see the main character's growth from a child to a man. It almost feels like a coming of age story but its combined with the continuing events of the war, so that both the historic events and his life share the spotlight. Another thing I liked was the focus on his ideological journey and you can see the influences of his father and of the most famous philosophical figures of that age. Another thing that remained with me is his relationship with his father and with his lover from the start to the end. In general , this book really makes you live that period in time, it feels like you are there with them. ⚔️🛡️🦉
andresreading's review against another edition
3.0
The best thing about this book is that it makes me feel I'm in Ancient Greece as I read. I can smeel the mediterranean sea, see all the islands around me, the statues of the gods...
However, there's no pinnacle in the story. It seems to be told to the reader in a monotone from beginning to end.
However, there's no pinnacle in the story. It seems to be told to the reader in a monotone from beginning to end.