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Title: The Persian Boy by Mary Renault
Review: The Persian Boy is a riviting narrative of the last seven years of Alexander the Great as told by the beautiful slave-eunuch Bogoas (a real historical person),who had been the plaything of Darias the Persian King until the Persian Empire crumbled with the brilliant invasion and victory of Alexander at the battle of Guagamela. After the King's death Bagoas is rescued by a rebel satrap who is out of favor with Alexander and uses the beautiful boy as a peace offering to get back in Alexander's good graces.Alexander, in spite of his military genius, is innocent in the ways of love and in profound need of affection, which Bogoas, who is irresistibly attracted to Alexander,and sophisticated far beyond his years, is more than happy to give.The saga is a vivid picture of the conqueror and his world, rich in historical detail as well as stirring human involvement. The beautiful eunuch's devotion to Alexander to the very end is deeply touching.
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