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Mary Renault
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The Mask of Apollo Paperback – Import, May 6, 2004

by Mary Renault (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 372 ratings
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 Apollo, a relic of the theater's golden age, which is now past. At first his mascot, the mask gradually becomes his conscience, and he refers to it his gravest decisions, when he finds himself at the center of a political crisis in which the philosopher Plato is also involved. Much of the action is set in Syracuse, where Plato's friend Dion is trying to persuade the young tyrant Dionysios the Younger to accept the rule of law. Through Nikeratos' eyes, the reader watches as the clash between the two looses all the pent-up violence in the city.
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  1. Print length
    346 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Arrow Books Ltd
  4. Publication date
    May 6, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    5.04 x 0.79 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0099469413
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0099469414
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arrow Books Ltd
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 6, 2004
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ New Ed
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 346 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0099469413
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0099469414
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.04 x 0.79 x 7.8 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #15,060 in Historical Fiction (Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 372 ratings

About the author

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Mary Renault

Mary Renault

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Mary Renault (1905-1983) was best known for her historical novels set in Ancient Greece with their vivid fictional portrayals of Theseus, Socrates, Plato and Alexander the Great.

Born in London in 1905 and educated at the University of Oxford, she trained as a nurse at Oxford's Radcliffe Infirmary where she met her lifelong partner, fellow nurse Julie Mullard. After completing her training she wrote her first novel, Purposes of Love, in 1937. In 1948, after her novel North Face won a MGM prize worth $150,000, she and Mullard emigrated to South Africa.

It was in South Africa that Renault was able to write forthrightly about homosexual relationships for the first time - in her last contemporary novel, The Charioteer , published in 1953, and then in her first historical novel, 1956's The Last of the Wine, the story of two young Athenians who study under Socrates and fight against Sparta. Both these books had male protagonists, as did all her later works that included homosexual themes. Her sympathetic treatment of love between men would win Renault a wide gay readership.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
372 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story compelling, with one review highlighting its accurate depiction of Hellenistic theater. Moreover, the writing is stunning, and customers appreciate the character development. Additionally, they value its educational content, with one customer noting it's an excellent study of early Greek theater.

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Story qualityReadabilityWriting qualityCharacter developmentEducational value
18 customers mention "Story quality"16 positive2 negative

Customers praise the story of the book, with one review noting its beautiful craftsmanship and historical accuracy, while another describes it as a ripping good tale.

"...shows the world of Greek culture and how theater captivated the politics of early Greek citizens. A page turner!" Read more

"...He referred me to this book as being a very accurate description of Hellenistic theater..." Read more

"...It is a ripping good story. I have read it several times, and enjoyed it fully every time...." Read more

"Not only has Renault caught the very essence of the period but her subtlety with the sexuality of the times and nuanced take on male bonding in..." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as a wonderful recreation and another noting it's a very engaging story.

"great book" Read more

"...Clearly fictional while very informing. Great read." Read more

"Another wonderful book by the late historical fiction write Mary Renault...." Read more

"Five stars because it's perfect...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the stunning writing of the book, with one customer noting it is a masterpiece by Mary Renault.

"...Mary Renault was a very distinguished and exciting novelist, You may know her novel THE KING MUST DIE, about Theseus...." Read more

"This book is another of the masterpieces written by Mary Renault. Set in ancient Greece, it explores the role of actors of plays...." Read more

"Mary Renault's affection for her subject is matched only by her superb style and her deep and wide ranging research...." Read more

"...Her writing is lovely and clear, the story is beautifully crafted, and the circumstances surrounding it -- in this case the evolving Greek theatre..." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning how it explores the role of actors in plays.

"...Set in ancient Greece, it explores the role of actors of plays...." Read more

"Five stars because it's perfect. Character development, plot line and an incredible depth of knowledge she has of Ancient Greece, all add up to..." Read more

"...The characters come alive, and the history reads as if it hiappened yesterday, The reader really knows what the world was like then, and the story..." Read more

3 customers mention "Educational value"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the educational value of the book, with one mentioning it serves as a good way to learn about ancient Greece, while another notes it provides an excellent study of the early days of Greek theater.

"Both educational and intimate this Mary Renault shows the world of Greek culture and how theater captivated the politics of early Greek citizens...." Read more

"...First and most importantly this is an excellent study of the early days of Greek theater...." Read more

"This is a good way to learn about ancient Greece and Plato...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kristi Z
    5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing and captivating history of Greek theater
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2025
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    Both educational and intimate this Mary Renault shows the world of Greek culture and how theater captivated the politics of early Greek citizens. A page turner!
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  • Deloss Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars Plato as an Action Hero
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    When I was writing the Tech Show (MIT) musical based on Euripides ALCESTIS, I asked my Professor of the History of the Philosophy of Science, Giorgio di Santillana, for advice. He referred me to this book as being a very accurate description of Hellenistic theater (the other indispensable source is Margaret Bieber's GREEK AND ROMAN THEATER). The actor-hero, on his travels with what we would call a touring company, is thrown into close contact with Plato (yes, that one) and his friend Dion, and part of the plot is a dramatization of Plato's famous Seventh Letter. That does not mean that the pace is anything but fast, or that the story is anything but human and sensational. Mary Renault was a very distinguished and exciting novelist, You may know her novel THE KING MUST DIE, about Theseus. If you want a good, fast-moving novel to read, this is it, whether you care about Plato or not. Did you know that when Plato irritated the tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius, he sold Plato into slavery? Five stars.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Story of Actors in Ancient Greece.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2015
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    This book is another of the masterpieces written by Mary Renault. Set in ancient Greece, it explores the role of actors of plays. She explains how, based on her exploration of those sources that were available to her, the theatre and actors functioned. She is clear about how little actual history she had to work with. I find her reconstruction of event 2500 years ago extremely plausible. The philosopher Plato is a significant character in this tragedy. As a student of philosophy myself, Ms Renault ' s characterization of Plato's views seems appropriate. It is a ripping good story. I have read it several times, and enjoyed it fully every time. I recommend it without reservation yo those interested in ancient Greece, Plato, a good story.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Betsy Devine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Warm. lively hero has adventures with Plato and more
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2017
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    Mary Renault is a genius at creating historical novels of ancient Greece, whose lively protagonists have virtues mitigated by (still lovable) flaws. The protagonist in The Mask of Apollo is an actor about 20 years younger than Plato, whom he meets and whose school of philosophy intrigues him. For the reader, however, the pleasure of re-discovering Plato is just one of the many pleasures of this book. The real hero is Dion, somebody I never heard of before reading Renault, a wealthy noble of Syracuse who refrains from seizing power when it is offered to him... but I don't want to spoil the story for someone who doesn't know it yet. I strongly recommend this book, one of Renault's finest.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Kenneth J Payne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not only has Renault caught the very essence of the ...
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2016
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    Not only has Renault caught the very essence of the period but her subtlety with the sexuality of the times and nuanced take on male bonding in general is simply breathtaking considering the era she wrote in. Her grasp of place and history is 2nd to none historically and unlike so many "scholars"around Ancient Greece she does so with elan and a gift for bringing it all alive. And its unquestionable part of being the singularly most important civilisation to have existed, as far as the Western World is concerned.She has given it the meat of everyday life to cover its historical bones. You can't ask more than that from a book.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • zamzoo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Do not be embarrassed
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2019
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    Although this is a somewhat dated novel that treats homosexuality in a "don't ask, don't tell" fashion that would probably seem silly to people in the era it portrays, do not be daunted. First and most importantly this is an excellent study of the early days of Greek theater. Theater in Ancient Greece was not just entertainment, it was religious and cultural and to our modern eyes pretty freaky! The details in this novel are very accurate, and will greatly enhance any study of classical Greek theater.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Zaren Jaede
    4.0 out of 5 stars Praise for Mary Renault
    Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2018
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    Mary Renault was an English writer best known for her historical novels set in Ancient Greece. In addition to vivid fictional portrayals of Theseus, Socrates, Plato and Alexander the Great, she wrote a non-fiction biography of Alexander. If you have not yet read her work, do yourself a favor and purchase one of her novels... I particularly recommend either The Persian Boy or The Last of the Wine.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Jonny
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Historical Fiction
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2018
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    Mary Renault's affection for her subject is matched only by her superb style and her deep and wide ranging research. I first read this book some 45 years ago and have never tired of it. I'm a classical actor and teacher of actors and learned more about the essence of our profession from this book than from any other. Just stunning writing with great humanity behind it.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Lexi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and thought-provoking read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2017
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    This is a brilliant novel and thoroughly enjoyable. I first read it when I was quite young, and it took me several reads to fully appreciate it. I don't want to put readers off, but it's the book that made me realize that politics is, and always has been, more about personalities than policies.

    The story follows Nikeratos, an Athenian actor, as he gradually becomes successful. His story is entwined with Dion's, an upright but flawed aristocrat who attempts to put Plato's political ideas into practice with disastrous consequences.

    Mary Renault was such a good writer. I wouldn't advise starting with this one - The King Must Die would be my choice - but this book is excellent and totally absorbing and not one you should miss.
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  • Robbert Bosschart
    5.0 out of 5 stars The very best way to go and live the wonders of Ancient Greece.
    Reviewed in Spain on August 21, 2021
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    Mary Renault still remains, after all these years, the unequalled author on life, drama, tragedy and bliss in Ancient Greece. I have read dozens and dozens of other books on the theme, and they were mostly good -- but none, ever, as heart warming and/or heart wrenching and always true, as the tales wrought by Mary Renault. (By the way, also her non-fiction biography of Alexander the Great is still the absolute top-of-the-line for short works of this type).
    The only thing I dislike is that there are not more, and of course there will be no more, of these extraordinary masterpieces by Mary Renault.
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  • Ian Mackay
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping and fascinating window on Ancient Greek theatre, philosophy and politics.
    Reviewed in Australia on June 24, 2017
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    I have just re-read this (for the third time) and was as thrilled as I had been the first time round! In this book we are immersed in Ancient Greek Theatre and also, as in "The Last of the Wine" Philosophy and the politics of the Golden Age of Greece. Plato and his disciple Dion are key players and they saturate the story in an atmosphere of utter seriousness, sincerity and commitment to the whole-hearted pursuit of excellence. But at the heart of it all there is a spiritual intensity grounded in the world of theatre. Nikeratos, the narrator, is a dedicated servant of the Gods and an ancient acting-mask becomes a sort of sacramental link between him and Apollo. As with the previous novel, there is a tremendously attractive and virtually perpetual awareness of the Sacred. Thus everything becomes relevant and nothing is trivial. This is probably what I find so compelling in all Renault's novels... their deep, deep seriousness!
    The tension between the two Gods, Apollo and Dionysius (logic versus emotion) serves as background to the roller-coaster ride the plot takes us on as we live through the demise of Syracuse, her fall from unrivaled power and wealth to total disaster. The fate of the city is mirrored, personified even, in the fate of Dion, a Messianic figure. Upright, sincere, honest, good, capable and beautiful, and under the influence of Plato, he attempts to save Syracuse, to wrest her from tyranny and bring her under the rulership of wisdom. Plato is almost destroyed in the process, and thanks to the betrayal of self-interested friends, Dion is completely destroyed.
    At the centre of all this turmoil there is a wonderful section in which Euripides' play, The Bacchae, becomes a sort of interpretive lens through which to view the action. "With the Bacchae [Euripides] digs down... to some deep rift in the soul where our griefs are born. Take that play anywhere, even to men unborn who worship other gods or none, and it will teach them to know themselves."
    Don't be put off by all this intensity and seriousness, for the novel is above all a fascinating story, graphic and gripping, all through. It is a work to be cherished!!
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  • Dedicated reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful, delightful depiction of life in Classical Greece
    Reviewed in Canada on January 31, 2014
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    This is my favorite Mary Renault book. The main characters are extremely appealing, and her portraits of life in Ancient Greece, of famous historic Philsophers (Plato is one of the main characters), of wars between the city states, and Olympic Games, all on an excellently portrayed human scale make the reading of her books a real pleasure. However, it also includes a sympathetic treatment of homosexuality. (But not graphic treatment -- this is NOT pornography). If this aspect bothers you, try reading Renaults's "The Praise Singer" which shares many of the worthwhile features of "The Mask of Apollo."
    I've read and enjoyed it several itmes, & I keep buying copies to give away.
    Kathy Lees
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  • Canada Crone
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest historical novels I have ever read.
    Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2017
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    One of the finest historical novels I have ever read. Mary Renault was probably the greatest historical novelist of the 20th Century. Anyone with an interest in Classical Greece, Greek Theatre or the philosophy of Plato will find this book enthralling.
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