This is a very compassionately and humanly written historical fiction about the early years of Alexander the Great. The characterization of the lead character is one of the book's finest points. He feels like a person with contradictions and flaws. The plot is not particularly fast-moving or pronounced, but it doesn't have to be. The analysis of systems and interpersonal relationship make it well worth the reading.

The weaknessess of the text included a dependence on Freudian psychology, particularly in the first few chapters, and a weaker, less compassionate, development of Olympia, Alexander's mother, compared to the rest of the cast. One of the high points was the section of the book dealing with Aristotle, and his motives.

If you enjoy historical fiction as character study and have an interest in Alexander the Great, I think you will enjoy this book