The greatest gay love story in history?

The Persian Boy by Mary Renault

LOVE this book!

The Persian Boy is one of the finest historical novels ever written, as well as one of the finest gay novels. The story traces the journey of Alexander the Great as he travels east, conquering all of the lands west of India. Alexander meets Bagoas, a young boy who had been the favourite of the Persian Great King's, and as the ancient writers tell, "Alexander came to love him too."

Renault imagines the story of Alexander through the eyes of Bagoas, up to and immediately after Alexander's death, and the result is beautiful and poignant, and the story will stay in your mind for weeks after reading it.

The depth of Renault's characters is striking, and you will feel all of the joys and pains that Bagoas must surely have felt.

Take the time to savor this book, and linger over it. It will be well worth the time. When you're finished, read the prequel, Fire from Heaven, the story of Alexander's early life, which includes his meeting and relationship with first-love Hephaistion.