The King Must Die

By: Mary Renault

Narrated by: Kris Dyer

Length: 15 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

The epic of Thesus, the boy king of Eleusis, ritually preordained to die after one year of marriage to the sacred queen but who defies God's decree and claims his inheritance - the throne of Athens. This re-creation of a Greek myth is written by the author of The Last of the Wine.

©1958 Mary Renault (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"One of the truly fine historical novels of modern times. Not since Robert Graves's I, Claudius has there been such an exciting living image of the Ancient World on this grand scale." ( New York Times)
"Takes the raw material of myth and makes it credible - I am spellbound by Miss Renault's art." ( Observer)
"Vivid and convincing...it brims with feeling." ( Sunday Times)

Ancient Greece Brought to Life

Just as wonderful, magical and entertaining as when I first read this 65 years ago.

returning home

it's a pleasure to know what I enjoyed reading at 16 sounds just as good listening at 80. if you haven't met Mary Renault see that you do because she is still beautiful Rider. we have Homer only in memory she will do as a substitute a little more could he said in appreciation

Astonishingly Good!

This is the first book I’ve listened to by Mary Renault and I’m utterly amazed! I joined Audible to listen to the current offer by Margaret George and was very disappointed by a writer I’ve loved for years. So glad I did listen to Ms George because it led me to Ms Renault. Incredible writing and the narration is flawless! I absolutely couldn’t put it down.

Sections tied together to make a whole life

(As posted in GoodReads)
I had actually read this book years ago, but I really only remembered snapshots from it, so as I listened this time, at first I thought that it was the wrong book. I did not remember the actual connections between the various snapshots that I had. Hearing the whole book together and being able to re-place the remembered scenes in order and importance was very enlightening. I remember having really enjoyed the book, but the only part that left a lasting impression on me was the very end.
I find the representation of the religions and vast relevance thereof to the characters far more powerful that I observe Christianity or Islam, or even Judaism in the current modern lives. Our current knowledge of nature and the scientific basis really doesn't leave appropriate room for the mythology of current religion, but that ancient religion was mythology was highly appropriate. As an atheist, I can appreciate the good done by belief in gods in ancient Roman times despite the fact that our knowledge now leaves only room for imagination.
This book traces the whole life of a king with five (I think) separate stages, each of them unique and complete, although they all complement each other. And the main character executes SOME horrendous activities, but they are all consistent with his beliefs and personality.

Terrible narration

I just couldn’t handle this story. In addition to the serious internalized misogyny the author is dealing with, the story is just choppy and dull— how do you make green mythology *dull*?? Even worse, the narrator has such a weird & pausing delivery. Even speeding it up to 1.3 speed didn’t help. I didn’t even finish the third chapter.

Luxuriously written

This is so good, so well crafted, a real pleasure. I think I might have liked the reader's performance slightly more than the book itself.

Archeological Fiction

Enjoy this archeologically based fictional account of Theseus's adventures. Renault has done a great job crafting a plausible history from the myths.

Very good read

this is a greek adventure book that is captivating and unbelievably good to read. would highly recommend

Wonderful Rendition

Mary Renault is one of my all time favorite authors. I love this book and re-read it often. How wonderful to get to listen to it as well.

Good read for classics majors

I first read Mar Renaults books in high school, so they have nostalgia value for me. Good tales, well-researched and plausible. The Theseus story is told in King Must Die and Bull from the Sea, and the parallel Alexander one in Fire from Heaven, the Persian Boy (my favorite) and Funeral Games. Last of the Wine is a lovely picture of Greece's golden age with Socrates and Plato, and the Praise Singer much earlier in history.
The readers are adequate and the books are unabridged. Pleasant and interesting read.