The King Must Die by Mary Renault
This novel is a historical fiction that reimagines the myth of Theseus, a young man who believes he is the son of Poseidon. He grows up in the palace of his mother's husband, King Pittheus of Troizen, but later ventures out to discover his true father. His journey leads him to Athens, where he overthrows the cruel King Minos, and to Crete, where he becomes a bull-leaper and eventually kills the monstrous Minotaur. The book explores themes of destiny, heroism, and the struggle between old and new religious practices.
The 14231st greatest book of all time
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- Published
- 1958
- Nationality
- British
- Length
- Moderate
- Pages
- 320-400
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(3.3)
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 3 lists:
- 91st on 100 Best Novels in English Since 1900 (Counterpunch)
- 100 Great 20th Century English-language Works of Fiction by Women (Feminista!)
- Daniel S. Burt's Recommended Historical Novels (What Historical Novel Do I Read Next? by Daniel S. Burt (1997))