What do You think about The Mask Of Apollo (1988)?
Rich with historical detail and the taste and smell of everyday life, at least as Renault interprets it. This is one of the many reasons that I enjoy the genre. The protagonist is an actor, so there is a great deal of detail about the classical theatre. Much of the action centers around Syracuse and Plato's attempt to establish his friend Dion as Philosopher King. Those who have read The Republic will find this plot of particular interest.Happened on the book in a discount pile at a bookstore in Charlottesville, Virginia one on the few towns left to delight the bibliophile---there must be close to a dozen used book shops spread around town. Oddly enough, another one would be New Orleans' French Quarter which boasts no less than five great bookstores, amazing given the high rents. I am told that most of the bookshops in the quarter own their own buildings---so there is a good chance they will be gone within a generation, but in the meanwhile, enjoy!.I had read most of Renault's books over the years and somehow missed this one. Lovers of historical fiction would be well advised not to miss it, hey maybe you can find it used!Richard
—Richard Wise
I love the fiction of Mary Renault and this is the first of her novels that I read. At the time I already had begun to acquire a passion for ancient Greece from a wonderful Latin teacher in high school. Luckily for us in addition to teaching us Latin our teacher imbued in us an interest in learning about everything classical that grew for me into more reading and led me to the discovery of Mary Renault and her historical fiction set in ancient Greece. The story of The Mask of Apollo involves the world of live theater and political intrigue in the Mediterranean at the time. The narrator, Nikeratos is a successful professional actor, and Renault vividly evokes the technologies and traditions of classic Greek Tragedy. With detailed recreations of what might have been involved in the staging of a theatrical production of the time, she describes the music, scenery, mechanical special effects devices, and especially the practice of the three principal actors sharing the various roles in a performance, along with authentic gossip involved in these casting decisions.Nikeratos, is an invented character, but real historical figures such as Dion of Syracuse and Plato make appearances. It is Renault's seamless blend of real historical characters within her fictional stories that makes her novels come alive for me. I even sometimes think, being an inveterate play-goer, what would it be like to pray or prepare a sacrifice for the success of the play before-hand. Some plays could use the help. I would recommend Mary Renault's novels of Ancient Greece to anyone who has an interest in our classical Greek heritage.
—James
This tells the story of Dion of Syracuse [philosopher from Plato's Academy] as seen through the eyes of Nikeratos [Niko], a tragic actor. Making her protagonist an actor, Renault gave Niko the freedom to travel all over and comment on the action and people he meets. (Nico is a fictional actor in the time of Plato.) This is another great Renault read. I love reading about Ancient Greece and this is another that brings that age to life. In this book the craft of acting is portrayed in the context of the actor's life and the waves of history through which he moves. She allows us one of the first glimpses at homosexual relationships in Greek culture, the role of women in Plato's academy, and of drama as a vehicle of the soul and politics. None of this is over-wrought but is given as a narrative in memoir style. It reads beautifully. The end of this story brings us to Alexander as a youth, so next should be Renault's trilogy about him. I come back to her books over and over, though this was my first time through this one. Renault doubtless makes Apollo proud.
—Alcornell
