🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About Mary Renault
Mary Renault (born Eileen Mary Challans) was born in the year 1905 in London, where her dad was a doctor. She went to Oxford first with the idea that she would become a teacher, but later found she wanted to be a writer instead, and after she got her degree she should broaden her knowledge on human life. After this, she trained as a nurse for three years, and wrote “Promise of Love”, her first published novel. During this time as a nurse, she met Julie Mullard, a fellow nurse with whom she established a lifelong romantic relationship. During her off-duty time from her service in World War II, she wrote her next three novels. After the war had ended, she went to South Africa and settled at the Cape. Where she lived with Julie for the rest of her life.
All Book Series by Mary Renault
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mary Renault?
Mary Renault (born Eileen Mary Challans) was born in the year 1905 in London, where her dad was a doctor. She went to Oxford first with the idea that she would become a teacher, but later found she wanted to be a writer instead, and after she got her degree she should broaden her knowledge on human life. After this, she trained as a nurse for three years, and wrote “Promise of Love”, her first published novel.
Which Mary Renault series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Alexander the Great series, the earliest of Mary Renault's multi-book series: it opens with Fire from Heaven (1969) and runs to 3 books across 1969–1981, ending with Funeral Games (1981).
How many books has Mary Renault written?
Mary Renault has 17 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1939 and 1981. 5 of them belong to 2 named series — the largest being the Alexander the Great series with 3 books — and 12 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should Mary Renault's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. Mary Renault's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Theseus (1958–1962, 2 books) and Alexander the Great (1969–1981, 3 books).
How are Mary Renault's books organised into series?
This guide splits Mary Renault's 17 books into 2 named series and 12 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: Alexander the Great (3 books, 1969–1981); Theseus (2 books, 1958–1962).