Review date: 7/3/2001
Publisher: New English Library, 1968
Published: 1966
Mary Renault's novel tells the story of an ancient Greek tragic actor, who in his tours becomes involved in the complex and dangerous politics of the richest Greek state of the time, the Sicilian city of Syracuse, ruled by the aging tyrant Dionysios. Though his son is likely to succeed, he is not of a character to rule wisely, while his brother Dion is one of the famous men of the age, taught by Plato and the person at whom some of the dialogues seem to be aimed (not least The Republic, about government).
The background is quite strong, and Renault does not shy away from issues that one might expect some reticence on from a popular writer in the mid sixties, such as homosexuality and Greek attitudes to women. It is generally readable, after a slightly shakey beginning, and retains the interest. The Mask of Apollo is a novel which still deserves to be read.
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