The Praise Singer

A brief comment in response to some reviewers who liked other of Mary Renault's historical novels, but didn't particularly like this one ... I first read this book when it came out, some time in the '80's, and wasn't especially taken with it. In the intervening 20 years, during which I have become a practicing poet and storyteller, my perceptions have changed: I now think it one her best, if not *the* best - subtle, insightful, and quotable - and am now on my third copy, having read the first two to pieces.

there are many reviews of ms. renault's work here already, so i will keep this very brief: the reason mary renault is my favorite author is that she can bring the emotional and human quality of her characters to the surface. she makes these long dead people with strange names come alive. she gives them a quotidian life. she makes them human, and humane. true, her knowledge of the ancient greeks is encyclopedic. true, her descriptions are wonderous, but her deep empathy for the people in her novels is what separates her from other historical writers. she also handles homoeroticism/homosocial behavior with a sweetness and sensitivity that demonstrates the value of the delicate bonds that men should be encouraged to explore and nurture. her compassion for the human experience is sometimes overwhelming.

The classical world comes alive in all of Renault's books about Greece, and this is one of her best. Her scholarly background combined with her literary talent not only teaches the reader the factual history of the characters but gives them real personality and depth. Simonides, the blacksheep of his family rises from his rustic beginnings to the courts of the most powerful men of his time. We follow him from child to old man and experience his loves, sorrows, adventures, friendships, and triumphs all woven together by his craft----singer of praise.

This is a wonderful historical novel about the time of the lyric poets (of whom Sappho is the most famous) This is the life of Simonides, who lived in sixth century Greece during the time of the tyrants, the Persian wars, and a great floweirng of the arts (it preceded Pericles in the 5th century - the Golden Age). She brings Pisistratos and Solon to life. Eminently readable.