Mary Renault books in order
English novelist
- Lived
- 1905–1983
- Country
- South Africa
- Books
- 16
Mary Renault published 15 novels and 1 children's book, beginning with The Middle Mist (1944). The best-known is The Persian Boy (1972).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Mary Renault
Start here
The Persian Boy
Mary Renault's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
The Middle Mist (1944)
North Face (1948)
The Charioteer (1953)
The Last of the Wine (1956)
The King Must Die (1958)
The Bull from the Sea (1962)
The Mask of Apollo (1966)
Fire from Heaven (Jun 1969)
Kind Are Her Answers (1971)
Promise of Love (1972)
The Persian Boy (Nov 1972)
The Nature of Alexander (1975)
Return to Night (1978)
The Praise Singer (1978)
Funeral Games (Nov 1981)
Children's books in order
The Lion in the Gateway (1964)
About Mary Renault
Eileen Mary Challans, known by her pen name Mary Renault, was a British writer best known for her historical novels set in ancient Greece.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Mary Renault FAQ
- How many books has Mary Renault written?
- Mary Renault published 15 novels and 1 children's book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Mary Renault's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Persian Boy.
- What is Mary Renault's last book?
- Funeral Games (1981).
- What is Mary Renault's most famous book?
- The Persian Boy (1972) is Mary Renault's most widely read book.
Authors like Mary Renault
Margaret Mitchell
Also wrote history and historical fiction
Eleanor Alice Burford
Also wrote historical fiction and history
Georgette Heyer
Also wrote romance and history
Patrick O'Brian
Also wrote history and historical fiction
Robert W. Chambers
Also wrote historical fiction and romance
Oscar Micheaux
Also wrote historical fiction and romance
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.