Mask of Apollo

THE ANCIENT GREEK STAGE BROUGHT THRILLINGLY TO LIFE BY THE QUEEN OF HISTORICAL FICTION

''Mary Renault has made the classical era alive'' GORE VIDAL

''Her books have stood the test of time'' INDEPENDENT

The artist flows into the mask the poet offers him; only so will the god possess him.

Greece, fourth century BC. The golden age of theatre may be over, but Nikeratos still lives and breathes the stage. Finding work with a group of travelling actors, he discovers amongst their dusty props an old, discarded mask of Apollo.

When a violent attack threatens the company mid-performance, the actors must go on: once the show ends, they know their lives are at stake. Seized by inspiration, Niko dons the golden mask and feels the powerful words of Apollo coursing through him - spurring the defenders to victory.

But Greece is racked by political struggles, and as his fame grows Niko finds himself caught in the crossfire, a pawn in a game of tyrants. And all the while, the mask gains power - becoming his conscience, keeper of his secrets and, ultimately, the maker of his gravest choice.

''To Mary Renault, we are all Ancient Greeks, and that is the secret of her novels'' brilliance'' CHARLOTTE MENDELSON

''Renault has few peers in the art of reconstructing and making utterly convincing the people and places of classical times . . . a superbly controlled performance'' NEW YORK TIMES

''An important and wonderful writer . . . she set a course into serious-minded, psychologically intense historical fiction that today seems more important than ever'' GUARDIAN