The Persian Boy is the second book in Mary Renault's trilogy about Alexander the Great. Fire From Heaven details Alexander's tumultuous childhood, and Funeral Games describes the political maneuverings after his death. The Persian Boy covers Alexander's life from the time of his invasion of Persia to his death at the age of 33.
Bagoas is only a little boy when his noble father is betrayed and murdered in a political intrigue. He is castrated and sold as a slave to Datis the gemstone dealer. When Datis's business falls upon trying times, he begins to prostitute Bagoas and finally sells him into the service of King Darius of Persia.
There Bagoas is expected to quickly learn hot to please the king in all things. As Darius's body servant and sometime lover, Bagoas carefully carves a place for himself as a member of the king's household.
But all is not well in Persia. Alexander of Macedon and his army stalk the land. Rather than come face to face with Alexander on the field of battle, Darius withdraws his household and his armies until he loses the respect of his men and is deposed from the throne.
Bagoas, now no longer a boy as much as a young man, is bartered to Alexander. Initially, Alexander shows no interest in Bagoas's line of work. His lover is Hephaistion. "What does he want with a boy?" Bagoas wonders. "He is somebody's boy himself. And he must be twenty-five at least."
Always resourceful, Bagoas makes himself useful to Alexander as a servant. Although dismayed by rough Macedonian language and manners, he finds himself learning to respect Alexander's command of his soldiers, keenly honed sense of justice, and military prowess. When Alexander chases off some young men who are tormenting Bagoas, Bagoas realizes that his feelings of admiration have turned to love. "There goes my lord, whom I was born to follow. I have found a king. And," he adds to himself, "I will have him if I die for it."
As Alexander's conquests grow ever larger and ever more demanding, Bagoas sets forth on a conquest of his own: To find and hold a place in the king's heart.
Style of Writing
The story is told in first person, from the point of view of Bagoas. Although Bagoas attempts a tone of sophistication and worldliness, the reader can tell that he is blinded by his love for Alexander. As such, he is an unreliable narrator, and the reader sometimes needs to read between the lines for the truth of an event. This fact, however, makes the novel more engaging rather than less so. As the narrative carries you away, it is hard not to imagine that you are actually sitting across a table from Bagoas, listening to his cherished stories and remembrances of Alexander.
Pros
The story is easy to follow and has enough historic detail to make the novel convincing but not so much that it becomes overwhelming.
Almost all of the characters are likeable and sympathetic. Bagoas, especially, comes across as a hurt child aching to be truly loved by the one he admires. Alexander, while a bit over-idealized by Bagoas, is a warrior, philosopher, and lover whom almost anyone could respect and follow. It is easy to care about these characters, and I defy anyone who has ever loved to finish the book without a tear in his or her eye.
Cons
If you're looking for a book with lots of fighting and swords clashing, you'll be disappointed. Since Bagoas, a eunuch, does not participate in the wars, battle scenes are limited to what he sees and what soldiers tell him.
This isn't exactly a con, but if you can't handle the idea of Alexander the Great being bisexual, this is the wrong book for you.
Family Reading?
Sexuality is dealt with frankly, but not explicitly.
The same can be said of violence. For instance, although the reader knows exactly what has happened to Bagoas, Renault does not describe the actual act.
Language is tame.
I would recommend this book for teens and adults.
Final Recommendation
The Persian Boy has become one of my favorite novels since I read it a couple of years ago. I frequently go back to different passages in the book when I'm struggling with issues of the heart. If you have time to read a thoughtful, character-driven novel about a fascinating historical figure, then this is the book for you.
The Persian Boy traces the last years of Alexander's life through the eyes of his lover, Bagoas. Abducted and gelded as a boy, Bagoas was sold as a co...More at HotBookSale
It takes skill to depict, as Miss Renault has done, this half-man, half Courtesan who is so deeply in love with the warrior. - The Atlantic Monthly Th...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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