Reason read; story of arts/theater, etc by a British author. This is my very first book by Mary Renault. She writes good historical fiction about ancient Greece. This is a fictional story of the poet Simonide. I think her historical research was good. ( )

The Praise Singer is a historical fiction novel, imagining the story of Simonides, a real-life Greek poet of the 6th century B.C. An ugly child relegated to tending his father's sheep, he finds his escape in the serendipitous death of the visiting praise singer Kleobis's apprentice. The talented Simonides convinces Kleobis to take him under his wing. Years pass, as does Kleobis. Simonides finally secures a patronage in Athens, first through its tyrant, Peisistratus, then, upon his death, through his sons Hippias and Hipparchus. Unfortunately for Simonides, the homosexual Hipparchus falls in love with Harmodius, who is himself in love with Aristogeiton. Bloodshed ensues, and Simonides flees, eventually landing in Sicily. And the novel ends.

If you find that summary boring, consider it an accurate reflection of my attitude towards the novel. I would only recommend The Praise Singer to readers with a keen interest in and knowledge of Greek history. The book is told by an aged Simonides in a matter-of-fact tone with little tension or suspense. The character names are difficult to overcome, as are the many articles of the time, presented without explanation as though the reader should already be familiar with them. Even in context, it is unclear what they are or their significance—if any—to the story. Understanding them likely wouldn't add enjoyment to your reading.

From my themed reading list, I chose The Praise Singer as A Book Based Entirely on its Cover; in this case, the adage about judging by this criteria should be heeded. ( )

A typical Mary Renault. Ancient Greeks drily accept their circumstances and numerous barbaric cruelties, while staying pious somehow. A good re-telling of the events preceding the Persian Wars; the conquest of the Ionian cities by Cyrus, the death of Polykrates of Samos, the ascendancy of Pisistratus and the murder of his son, Hipparchos, who seems to have become very Nero-like to provoke the assassination. Simonides is telling the tale many years later while living in Sicily; every so often he like to remind us that a large part of the beautiful Athens he knew was burned by the Persians. For him there is no going back to those lyric days of yore. ( )

Renault has a beautiful way with descriptions of land and society, and effectively creates the social, political, and geographic climate of ancient Greece, particularly ancient Athens, in this novel. Her willingness to leave her hero in the dark is one of the ways she does this so effectively. As a poet, Simonides would have been hyperaware of the court's status, but not necessarily high enough to know all the secrets of the tyrants. It is this exchange of information, and the way Simonides collects and responds to this information, which make her rendition of the social setting so persuasive. The arc of Simonides' travel, which structures the book into sections by his geographic location, is also very effective, as the reader follows him in growing knowledge of the Athenian climate from his ignorant rural boyhood to favor and acceptance for his talent. ( )

This was a great read, even if it wasn't one of my favorite Renault novels. She always manages to transport me back in time. The section on the Olympics was especially interesting, as was the final downfall of the Tyrants. Fascinating stuff! ( )