tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213597929854074054.post8794521669768569706..comments2024-03-22T01:19:42.496-07:00Comments on This is my World: The Persian Boy by Mary Renault #reviewnerinedormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12885964421325041778noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213597929854074054.post-8890907269023309542013-12-09T23:08:16.267-08:002013-12-09T23:08:16.267-08:00I'm on my 2nd Renault novel in less than two m...I'm on my 2nd Renault novel in less than two months. In November I read "Last of the Wine." <br /><br />Only gave it three stars on Amazon for other reasons. The writing style seemed clunky and the story was hard to follow. But I became so attached to the lead characters that I was compelled to read on. I cried at the end. <br /><br />I'm 100 pgs. into the Persian Boy and it is SIGNIFICANTLY better. I can see and keep up with what's going on, and the writing is less clunky. <br /><br />Currently at the part where King Darius has just been captured, and Bagoas stumbles into Nabarzanes, who plans to turn him over to Alexander. <br /><br />Renault also writes some of the most titillating and sexy "intimate scenes" without them ever feeling overly sentimental. And by her not being graphic with the sex scenes, they seem to become all the more sensual. Grossed out by poor little Bagoas having to please old King Darius, but loved Bagoas with Doriskos. So, let's see where the novel goes. <br /><br />But so far, she has created a fully realized character in Bagoas. It's almost frightening because he feels so concrete, like he could walk right through my front door. Dying to continue the book. <br /><br />And for writers, this novel is a treasure chest of writing technique. I specifically love how even though she's writing in summary, I still get the sense that I'm in a scene. Just very, very rich writing. A pleasure. DPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12294535419989692399noreply@blogger.com