book data
141 ratings, 3.86 average rating, 9 reviews
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published
February 12th 1988
(first published 1966)
by Vintage
binding
Paperback, 384 pages
isbn
0394751051
(isbn13: 9780394751054)
description
Set in fourth-century B.C. Greece, The Mask of Apollo is narrated by Nikeratos, a tragic actor who takes with him on all his travels a gold mask of Ap...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 196)
Read in July, 1979
recommends it for:
Yes
This is one of my touchstone books, one I return to frequently, and always enjoy. Mary Renault is a favorite author, this is probably my favorite book of hers. There is so much here for me to sink my teeth into; Greek history, some great stuff about acting and theatre, the question of what constitutes a good life and a good person, how that can be helped or hindered by art, what one's responsibility is to public life, it's all explored sensitively and intelligently. It's also just a great sto...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in December, 1976
recommended to erik by:
no onerecommends it for: those interested in ancient Greek theatre and in Syracusan politics in the time of Plato
I read Renault's Mask of Apollo during the Christmas break from seminary during 1976 along with her Last of the Wine, Pesian Boy and Fire from Heaven and not long after The Bull from the Sea and The King Must Die. While I remember reading all of the others and the gist of their contents, this one, while recorded in my listing of book's read at the time, made no lasting impression. Perhaps I knew too little of Syracusan politics of the era, having not yet read through all of the Platonic dialog...more
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This historical fiction helped me live in Ancient Greece, and understand some weighty matters in a personal way. "Elegy on his Friend, Dion, Tyrant of Syracuse" attributed to Plato, found in poems from the Greek Anthology:
Tears were for Hecuba, friend,
And for Illion's women, spun into the dark web on the day of their birth.
But for you our hopes were great
And great the triumph,
cancelled alike by the gods at the point of glory.
Now you lie in your own land
Now all men h...more
Tears were for Hecuba, friend,
And for Illion's women, spun into the dark web on the day of their birth.
But for you our hopes were great
And great the triumph,
cancelled alike by the gods at the point of glory.
Now you lie in your own land
Now all men h...more
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Read in January, 1968
recommends it for:
everyone
This book does what all good books do: make the reader think. Nikeratos, an actor, comes into contact with many of the famous personages of his day, including Socrates and Plato. Do philosophical discussions ensue? Ya think? Nikeratos brings an actor's sensibility to questions of ethics and ideals, comparing and contrasting his ideas with the non-actors around him. I found this a very interesting book, especially in Renault's descriptions of the theater of the time.
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Read in March, 2008
Given that I've never liked historical fiction and so kind of poo-poo'd it for a long time, I'm kind of embarrassed by how much I like Mary Renault books. This one focuses on the philosophical differences between an actor's conception of his craft and Plato's vision of how men should be ideally portrayed.
ps. I picked this up at a hostel in Mexico City and then I saw another copy of the same edition sitting in the home of Robert Brady in his museum in Cuernavaca. Crazy!
ps. I picked this up at a hostel in Mexico City and then I saw another copy of the same edition sitting in the home of Robert Brady in his museum in Cuernavaca. Crazy!
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recommended to Fondren by:
Alice Rhoades
Fondren Library Has This Book: PR6035.E55 M3
Historical Fiction:
"This the story of Nikeratos, an actor in ancient Greece who, in addition to relating tales of his professional life, also describes his friendships with some of the big names of the time, including Plato and Aristotle. Although the political aspect is interesting, the best part is the extremely accurate and well-researched depiction of an actor's life in that era.
Historical Fiction:
"This the story of Nikeratos, an actor in ancient Greece who, in addition to relating tales of his professional life, also describes his friendships with some of the big names of the time, including Plato and Aristotle. Although the political aspect is interesting, the best part is the extremely accurate and well-researched depiction of an actor's life in that era.
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I hadn't remembered that Mary Renault had relations with the London theater world before she moved to South Africa but it helps explain how she could make the classical Greek theater world so excitingly alive here. Creaking machinery, masks and deus ex machina and all.
SIDE NOTE: I just installed an update on my Mac Safari browser and suddenly the spell check has started in. Is it Apple or Goodreads? Anybody know/
SIDE NOTE: I just installed an update on my Mac Safari browser and suddenly the spell check has started in. Is it Apple or Goodreads? Anybody know/
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This is a fascinating look at theatre in ancient Greece and the part actors played in the politics of the time. I also dig the way the author writes about the sexual mores of the era. Same sex relationships were fairly commonplace and that is how they are portrayed in the novel. A bold move for a writer in the fifties.
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Read in January, 1998
An unlikely (from my point of view) and highly successful book based in ancient Greece. Would never have picked it up if it hadn't been strongly recommended (and purchased) by a wonderful aunt.
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