Sunday 7 November 2010

The Bull From the Sea by Mary Renault


I had a preconceived notion that all of Renault's work is replete with ancient Greek buggery. I was therefore a bit disappointed by this book. It picks up the myth of Theseus at the point where he arrives home having failed to change his sails. So pretty much after all the interesting bits of the story. Theseus seems to have been annoyingly hetrosexual. Of his ladies, my favourite by far is the amazon queen Hypolita who is much less decorative and more of an equal than his silly Minoan wife Phedra. Unfortunately, Hypolita dies bravely in battle and I really lost interest in the novel from that point.

Renault fans have let me know that the best book for buggery is "Fire From Heaven" about the early life of Alexander the Great so I pass the advice on to you.