Questions About Fire from Heaven (Alexander the Great, #1)

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Answered Questions (2)

How accurate is this book? Is it for people who want to learn history or who want to have fun?

Tom Meyer In general, Renault's fiction is regarded as historically accurate, and rightly so to my mind. This series is no exception in terms of how well she's …moreIn general, Renault's fiction is regarded as historically accurate, and rightly so to my mind. This series is no exception in terms of how well she's researched her subject and brought it to life, but her interpretation of Alexander is controversial and has been harshly criticized.

In brief, Renault presents Alexander as a truly exceptional human being, someone _rightly_ considered god-touched or even semi-divine. To be clear, Alexander is one of the few people in history you could make a plausible case for that being so -- and there's real evidence that both he and those who knew him at least considered the idea -- but it's very odd for a modern author to embrace it as Renault has done.

So, again, you're getting a vivid, historically-accurate, and highly-controversial take on one of history's biggest characters. And if you can't tell, I think it's fantastic.(less)

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Is it necessary to start this series since the first book?

Tom Meyer I wouldn't say it's necessary to start with Fire From Heaven -- after all, it's a historical novel -- but I would highly recommend it. The series work…moreI wouldn't say it's necessary to start with Fire From Heaven -- after all, it's a historical novel -- but I would highly recommend it. The series works very well as a whole and the (highly specific) narrative voice of the second book doesn't make sense without the first or the third.(less)

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Unanswered Questions (4)

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Is this book (or the entirety of the Alexander the Great trilogy) considered high-end literary fiction?

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Would this be classified as third person omniscient?

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