A great quasi fictional telling of the life of Alexander from the inside. ( )

The first of Mary Renault's novels about Alexander the Great, it takes us through his early life up to the assassination of his father, Philip of Macedon.

Basically, Mary Renault's works are the standard by which all other fiction set in the ancient world should be judged, and she is in top form in this novel. Somebody, I forget who, once said that the first sentence is one of the best openings ever: "The child was wakened by the knotting of the snake's coils about his waist."

As we watch the spectacular clashes between Alexander's parents, his interaction with soldiers, courtiers, and diplomats, his education, the famous story of the horse Bucephalus, and Alexander's developing relationship with Hephaistion, we can see that these are not 20th century people dressed up in ancient costumes, these are people from a very different society.

Real life probably wasn't quite the way Mary Renault portrays it. So much the worse for real life. Six stars out of five. ( )

The first installment of Renault's trilogy on the life of Alexander the Great, displaying the author's extensive background in ancient history. This volume focuses on Alexander's life up to the age of 20, when he assumed the kingship on his father Phillip's assassination.

4009. Fire from Heaven, by Mary Renault (read 14 Apr 2005) This is fiction based on the life of Alexander the Great from his birth till he became King and was read because the author of the book I read on Alexander on 23 Mar 2005 said Renault had done a great job. She is true to what is known of Alexander and good historical fiction I think must do that or it is worse than useless since if it changes history it misinforms. The book was not always interesting and dwells much on Alexander's personal life and his friendship with Hephaestion. The book is well-written but I decided I would not now read the two succeeding books in Renault's trilogy. ( )

Mary Renault's books will always be my view of Alexander the Great. ( )