The King Must Die by Mary Renault
The King Must Die by Mary Renault is a vivid reimagining of the Theseus myth, blending historical fiction with timeless mythological storytelling. Set in ancient Greece, this epic tale follows the young Theseus as he journeys from Troezen to Athens to the palace of Knossos, where he confronts the terrifying bull-dancers and faces his destiny as both hero and king.
Renault combines deep psychological insight, thrilling action, and lush historical detail, making this a powerful coming-of-age story steeped in legend and realism.
Book Bundle
Perfect for fans of Circe by Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles, and Ilium ideal for readers who enjoy classical mythology retold with emotional depth and historical authenticity.
Why The King Must Die is a Must-Read:
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Myth Made Real: A grounded, plausible retelling of the Theseus legend.
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Richly Historical: Brings Bronze Age Greece to life with striking detail.
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Timeless Themes: Explores fate, leadership, sacrifice, and belief.
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Feminist & Psychological Insight: Complex characters, especially in gender roles and power dynamics.
Memorable Quote (from the book)
"A man is at his strongest when he sets out alone."
Translation (Sinhala):
"තනිව ගමන් කිරීමට තීරණය කරන විටම පුරුෂයෙකු වඩාත් ශක්තිමත් වේ."
Translation (Tamil):
"தனியாக பயணிக்க விரும்பும் போது தான் ஒரு மனிதன் பலமாக இருப்பான்."
Availability at Booxworm.lk
You can order The King Must Die by Mary Renault online from Booxworm.lk or visit our Colombo store to experience this compelling blend of historical fiction and classical mythology.
Physical Store Location:
180, W.A. Silva Mawatha, Wellawatte, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka
+94 768 46 2551
Visit: www.booxworm.lk
About the Book
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Title: The King Must Die
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Author: Mary Renault
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ISBN: 9780349009834
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Publisher: Virago
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Published Year: Originally 1958 (Current edition: 2014)
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Number of Pages: ~384 Pages (Paperback)
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Genre: Historical Fiction / Mythology / Classic Literature
