{"title":"Mary Renault","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMary Renault\u003c\/strong\u003e was a renowned 20th-century author celebrated for her vivid historical novels, particularly those set in ancient Greece. Her works are beloved for their rich character development, intricate plotlines, and commitment to historical accuracy, bringing the ancient world to life with impressive detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRenault's acclaimed book, \u003cem\u003eThe King Must Die\u003c\/em\u003e, reimagines the early life of Theseus, the mythical king of Athens, thoughtfully blending myth with historical speculation. Its sequel, \u003cem\u003eThe Bull from the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e, continues Theseus’ adventures, further exploring his legendary feats through Renault’s expert storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer celebrated trilogy featuring Alexander the Great, which includes \u003cem\u003eFire from Heaven\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Persian Boy\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eFuneral Games\u003c\/em\u003e, delves into the life and conquests of one of history's most formidable figures. These novels provide a profound insight into Alexander’s ambitions, wars, and the cultural impact of his empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Last of the Wine\u003c\/em\u003e, Renault portrays the complexities of Athenian society through the eyes of two young men caught in the Peloponnesian War, offering readers a poignant view of friendship and loyalty in turbulent times. \u003cem\u003eThe Mask of Apollo\u003c\/em\u003e presents a vivid depiction of the ancient theatre world, immersing readers in the dramatic life of an actor navigating the political and cultural upheavals of his era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe semi-autobiographical novel \u003cem\u003eThe Charioteer\u003c\/em\u003e stands apart in her oeuvre for its contemporary setting during World War II. Despite being lesser-known than her historical novels, it is acclaimed for its sensitive portrayal of same-sex relationships during the tumultuous war period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMary Renault's works are central to any collection of historical fiction, offering readers an entrancing journey to the classical past, characterized by her meticulous research and extraordinary narrative skill. Her books continue to captivate and educate, making them enduring favourites for lovers of historical literature.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-king-must-die-the-bull-from-the-sea-by-mary-renault-9781841594095","title":"The King Must Die \/ The Bull from the Sea","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hardcover omnibus edition of the two classic novels in which Mary Renault brilliantly recreates the legendary hero Theseus and his defeat of the Minotaur.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn two remarkable historical novels, Mary Renault fashions from the myth of Theseus a convincingly flawed hero and weaves a thrillingly plausible account of the Labyrinth and the infamous Minotaur.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe King Must Die\u003c\/em\u003e follows the young Theseus as he discovers that his true father is the King of Athens, and volunteers to join the annual tribute of Athenian girls and youths sacrificed to a bull-worshipping cult on the island of Crete. Trapped in the labyrinthine palace of King Minos, Theseus enlists the help of high priestess Ariadne in a daring plan to free his people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Bull From the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e begins after Theseus's triumphal return to Athens. He is now king, but his confidence will be shaken by a life-changing encounter with the queen of the Amazons, the birth of a son who will insist on choosing his own path, and the tragic results of his wife's treachery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRenault's deep knowledge of the Greek world, her sure grasp of psychology and genius for inspired speculation bring the distant world of the legendary past enthrallingly to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46672093479148,"sku":"9781841594095","price":36.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18839983482843.jpg?v=1752835335"},{"product_id":"fire-from-heaven-by-mary-renault-9781844089574","title":"Fire from Heaven","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Alexander Trilogy\u003c\/em\u003e contains some of Renault's finest writing. Lyrical, wise, compelling: the novels are a wonderful imaginative feat - SARAH WATERS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Alexandriad is one of the twentieth century's most unexpectedly original works of art - GORE VIDAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the first novel of her stunning trilogy, Mary Renault vividly imagines the life of Alexander the Great, the charismatic leader whose drive and ambition created a legend.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlexander's beauty, strength, and defiance were apparent from birth, but his boyhood honed those gifts into the makings of a king. His mother, Olympias, and his father, King Philip of Macedon, fought each other for their son's loyalty, teaching Alexander politics and vengeance from the cradle. His love for the youth Hephaistion taught him trust, while Aristotle's tutoring provoked his mind and Homer's \u003cem\u003eIliad\u003c\/em\u003e fueled his aspirations. Killing his first man in battle at the age of twelve, he became regent at sixteen and commander of Macedon's cavalry at eighteen, so that by the time his father was murdered, Alexander's skills had grown to match his fiery ambition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShortlisted for the 1970 Lost Booker Prize\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is not just a novel: it's also the best imagining we are ever likely to have of a man who tore up history. The language may seem a bit florid at first – a little too \"historical novel\" – but set all snobbery aside: this is wonderful, scholarly, top-flight stuff - Emily Wilson, \u003cem\u003eGuardian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Alexander Trilogy stands as one of the most important works of fiction in the 20th century... it represents the pinnacle of [Renault's] career... Renault's skill is in immersing us in their world, drawing us into its strangeness, its violence, and beauty. It's a literary conjuring trick like all historical fiction – it can only ever be an approximation of the truth. But in Renault's hands, the trick is so convincing and passionately conjured - Antonia Senior, \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46711427498220,"sku":"9781844089574","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/15708983482844.jpg?v=1754224199"},{"product_id":"funeral-games-by-mary-renault-9781844089598","title":"Funeral Games","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Alexander Trilogy\u003c\/em\u003e contains some of Renault's finest writing. Lyrical, wise, compelling: the novels are a wonderful imaginative feat' SARAH WATERS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the final novel of her stunning trilogy, Mary Renault vividly imagines the life of Alexander the Great, the charismatic leader whose drive and ambition created a legend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlexander the Great died at the age of thirty-three, leaving behind an empire that stretched from Greece and Egypt to India.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter Alexander's death in 323 B.C., his only direct heirs were two unborn sons and a simpleton half-brother. Every long-simmering faction exploded into the vacuum of power. Wives, distant relatives and generals all vied for the loyalty of the increasingly undisciplined Macedonian army. Most failed and were killed in the attempt. For no one possessed the leadership to keep the great empire from crumbling. But Alexander's legend endured to spread into worlds he had seen only in dreams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Mary Renault is a shining light to both historical novelists and their readers. She does not pretend the past is like the present, or that the people of ancient Greece were just like us. She shows us their strangeness; discerning, sure-footed, challenging our values, piquing our curiosity, she leads us through an alien landscape that moves and delights us' - HILARY MANTEL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'\u003cem\u003eThe Alexander Trilogy\u003c\/em\u003e stands as one of the most important works of fiction in the 20th century . . . it represents the pinnacle of [Renault's] career . . . Renault's skill is in immersing us in their world, drawing us into its strangeness, its violence and beauty. It's a literary conjuring trick like all historical fiction - it can only ever be an approximation of the truth. But in Renault's hands, the trick is so convincing and passionately conjured'  Antonia Senior, \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46711592747244,"sku":"9781844089598","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/15709223482844.jpg?v=1754231191"},{"product_id":"the-charioteer-by-mary-renault-9781844089505","title":"The Charioteer","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInjured at Dunkirk, Laurie Odell, a young corporal, is recovering at a rural veterans' hospital. There he meets Andrew, a conscientious objector serving as an orderly. The men find solace in each other's friendship, which slowly develops into a covert, chaste romance. Then Ralph Lanyon appears, a mentor from Laurie's school days and now a naval officer. Through him, Laurie is drawn into a tight-knit circle of gay men with few illusions about life, and for whom liaisons are fleeting. He is forced to choose between the ideals of a perfect friendship and the pleasures of experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFirst published in 1953, \u003ci\u003eThe Charioteer\u003c\/i\u003e is a tender, intelligent coming-of-age novel and a bold, unapologetic portrayal of homosexuality that stands with Gore Vidal's \u003ci\u003eThe City and the Pillar\u003c\/i\u003e and James Baldwin's \u003ci\u003eGiovanni's Room\u003c\/i\u003e as a landmark work in gay literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46715782922476,"sku":"9781844089505","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/15708293482844.jpg?v=1754412452"},{"product_id":"the-king-must-die-by-mary-renault-9780349019802","title":"The King Must Die","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e'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' - Madeline Miller, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eCirce\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe true parentage of Theseus, grandson of the King of Troizon, has always been shrouded in mystery. Rumours swirl that his father is Poseidon himself. But when he learns the truth - that he is the son and heir of Aegeus, King of Athens - Theseus sets out on a quest to claim his birthright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut his journey is a perilous one, from encounters with bandits to marriage to the Queen of Eleusis, whose consort is sacrificed each year - and, finally, to the labyrinthine palace of King Minos on Crete. There, Theseus must enlist the help of high priestess Ariadne in a daring plan to slay the Minotaur - and free his people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThrilling, immersive and gorgeously told, Mary Renault's classic novel is an unforgettable reimagining of the timeless Greek myth.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Mary Renault is a shining light to both historical novelists and their readers' - Hilary Mantel, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eWolf Hall\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'This brilliant retelling of the story of Theseus, the king of Athens, brings Greek mythology vividly to life and remains \"one of the truly fine historical novels of modern times\"' - \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46717277896940,"sku":"9780349019802","price":50.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/59b1bbf4c241c84e42831287a62ba292.jpg?v=1754523462"},{"product_id":"the-persian-boy-by-mary-renault-9781844089581","title":"The Persian Boy","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRenault's masterpiece. One of the greatest historical novels ever written - SARAH WATERS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the second novel of her stunning trilogy, Mary Renault vividly imagines the life of Alexander the Great, the charismatic leader whose drive and ambition created a legend.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Persian Boy\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMary Renault is a shining light to both historical novelists and their readers. She does not pretend the past is like the present, or that the people of ancient Greece were just like us. She shows us their strangeness; discerning, sure-footed, challenging our values, piquing our curiosity, she leads us through an alien landscape that moves and delights us - Hilary Mantel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Alexander Trilogy stands as one of the most important works of fiction in the 20th century . . . it represents the pinnacle of [Renault's] career . . . Renault's skill is in immersing us in their world, drawing us into its strangeness, its violence and beauty. It's a literary conjuring trick like all historical fiction - it can only ever be an approximation of the truth. But in Renault's hands, the trick is so convincing and passionately conjured. Nowhere is this more evident than in \u003cem\u003eThe Persian Boy\u003c\/em\u003e . . . Bagoas is a brilliant narrator. Rendered unreliable by his passion, he is always believable and sympathetic . . . His Persian background allows him to see the king and his Macedonians through the questioning eyes of an alien - Antonia Senior, \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46717829054700,"sku":"9781844089581","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/15709053482844.jpg?v=1754482605"},{"product_id":"the-mask-of-apollo-by-mary-renault-9781844089567","title":"The Mask of Apollo","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet in fourth-century B.C. 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Through Nikeratos' eyes, the reader watches as the clash between the two unleashes all the pent-up violence in the city.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46832917315820,"sku":"9781844089567","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/15708913482844.jpg?v=1758419822"},{"product_id":"the-bull-from-the-sea-by-mary-renault-9781844089628","title":"The Bull from the Sea","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis second instalment in the story of the legendary hero begins with Theseus' triumphant return from Crete after slaying the Minotaur.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHaving freed the city of Athens from the onerous tribute demanded by the ruler of Knossos — the sacrifice of noble youths and maidens to the appetite of the Labyrinth's monster — Theseus has returned home to find his father dead and himself the new king. But his adventures have only just begun: he still must confront the Amazons, capture their queen, Hippolyta, and face the tragic results of Phaedra's jealous rage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePiecing together the fragments of myth and using her deep understanding of the cultures reflected in these legends, Mary Renault has constructed an enthralling narrative of a time when heroes battled monsters and gods strode the earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Bull from the Sea\u003c\/i\u003e weaves a tale that breathes life into ancient myths, capturing the enduring struggle between ambition, loyalty, and destiny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46846027825388,"sku":"9781844089628","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781844089628.jpg?v=1758903311"},{"product_id":"the-last-of-the-wine-by-mary-renault-9781844089611","title":"The Last of the Wine","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e‘All my sense of the ancient world – its values, its style, the scent of its wars and passions – comes from Mary Renault. 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Renault's eye for intimacy is amazing'\u003c\/b\u003e  \n\u003cb\u003eDOUGLAS STUART\u003c\/b\u003e  \n\n\u003cb\u003e'Fierce, complex and eloquent'\u003c\/b\u003e  \n\u003cb\u003eMADELINE MILLER\u003c\/b\u003e  \n\n\u003cb\u003e'Mary Renault is a shining light'\u003c\/b\u003e  \n\u003cb\u003eHILARY MANTEL\u003c\/b\u003e  \n\n\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e*\u003c\/b\u003e  \n\n\u003cb\u003eA groundbreaking queer classic and powerful reimagining of the last years of Alexander the Great, told through the eyes of his lover.\u003c\/b\u003e  \n\n\u003ci\u003eI thought, There goes my lord, whom I was born to follow. I have found a king.\u003c\/i\u003e  \n\u003ci\u003eAnd, I said to myself, looking after him as he walked away, I will have him, if I die for it.\u003c\/i\u003e  \n\nBagoas, abducted as a boy and sold as a eunuch, has been transported to the heart of the Persian court as courtesan to King Darius. 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