The Praise Singer by Mary Renault (1978, Hardcover)

The Praise Singer
by Mary Renault
Publisher: Pantheon Books
Copyright 1978
Book Club Edition

In her latest novel of ancient Greece, Mary Renault turns to the world of the poet -- the bard who since the time of Homer had sung his verses from memory for the occasions of the court.  This is the life of Simonides, who lived in sixth-century Greece during the time of the tyrants, the Persion wars, and a great flowering of the arts.  With her usual brilliance, Mary Renault builds on the little source material available and transforms it into a marvelously rich and full re-creation of the world of ancient art.

It is on Keos that the boy Simonides follows a sign from Apollo and finds his master and teacher, Kleobis the bard.  He accompanies him to Samos, where, amidst the rich and colorful life of that sumptuous island, he carries out his apprenticeship.  After the death of Kleobis, he goes to Athens to the court of the Pisistratids under the patronage of Hipparchos, who gathers to him a glittering group of artists of all kinds.  Tyrants in only the ancient sense of the word, the Pisistratids had come to power as the people's friends, and they seem so to the Athenians almost to the end, when Hipparchos's folly precipitates murder by Harmodios and Aristogeiton and the court's eventual fall from power.  Simonides once again survives upheaval and finally retires to Sicily, where he looks back over his long and eventful life.

Mary Renault has again worked her magic to re-create a landscape of ancient history filled with the living substance of passions, politics, and poetry.

Condition:  Used.  Hardcover.  Dust cover.  Pages may be tanning and discolored from age.   Previous owner's "Library Of" stamp is on the front endpaper.  Dust cover and flaps may be tanning from age and show a bit of edge wear and light creases.

**************************

Don't Delay. Buy It Now!

Why Buy From Me?

* Shipping Speed Most people are extremely amazed at how fast I get their item delivered to them. I ship the same day you pay for your item, whenever possible.

• Strong Positive Feedback 100% positive feedback. Customers are overwhelmingly pleased with the quality of the item they receive, the accuracy of the item's description, the prompt and informative email notifications, and of course the speedy delivery.
  
  * Blujay Member Since 2005 I'm here to stay.
  
  * ID Verified My feedback profile also displays the ID Verified icon. An extra level of safety and security for buyers to know.
  
  * PayPal Buyer Protection All of my listings display the PayPal Buyer Protection icon to qualify for up to $1000.00 of protection for you, the buyer.