Which book? - Egypt Fiction

[Horus]

I have to agree about Wilbur Smiths Egyptian books, he does have a tendancy to overdo the subject a bit. His other favourite topic is of course Africa where he was born to British parents in the town of Broken Hill in present day Zambia, the town is now known as Kabwe. It was not far from where I lived and I well remember reading his first book 'When the lion feeds' although I cannot believe that it was some forty odd years ago. This started him off on his 'Courtney' series of books, all of which I have read, but they did drop off a bit towards the end of the series. They all portray vividly the life of early African settlers woven around the fictional Courtney dynasty and in the main they are a cracking good read. Even now I enjoy having a re-read of some, especially as he will drop in a few Swahili phrases here and there into his books and much to my delight I can still understand what is being said, even though it is many years since I actually spoke any of it.
Some of my favourites are:

'When the lion feeds' and 'The sound of thunder' from his 'Courtney' series.
'The burning shore' from his 'Courneys of Africa' series.
'The leopard hunts in darkness' from his 'Ballantyne' series
and of course the Taita books (I always think Ta-ee-ta)

He has also had quite a few of his other books turned into films, such as:
'Dark of the sun' that was filmed as 'The Mercenaries' with Roger Moor
'Shout at the devil' filmed under the same name, with Lee marvin
'Gold Mine' filmed as 'Gold' again with Roger Moor
and at least another twenty books I have not mentioned, he is a cracking author of a good adventure story, but all having a deep understanding of the continent he writes about. bet you cannot guess that I am a fan of his

[dab19]

Must make a mental note of all the above.....

but has anyone read any of Christian Jacq's books? (Why have I the feeling that I have asked this one before on the blue side???)?

[Lisak]

Must make a mental note of all the above.....

but has anyone read any of Christian Jacq's books? (Why have I the feeling that I have asked this one before on the blue side???)?

I have Dabby, I've read a couple of the Stone of Light series, and found them really interesting. I could picture the houses after visiting Deir-El -Medina.

There is a brilliant childrens book which is also set there. It's called Orphan of the Sun, Gill Harvey. Bloomsbury 0-7475-7900-8

Thirteen year old orphan, Meyrt-Re, lives with her uncle's family in the village of Set Maat, home of the pharaohs' tomb builders. Under pressure to marry Ramose, a dull stonecutter, she resists and begs for guidence from the gods, but she is unable to decipher the message behind her dreams. Then her cousin falls gravely ill, and her uncle, believing her to have turned the Gods against him, banishes her from his home.

Other suspitious activities are going on. Why is Userkaf, a draughtsman, trying to stir trouble among the tome workers? And why is his servant girl stealing precious amulets from the embalmers? It is not until she meets the village wise woman thay Meyrt can begin to unravel the meaning of her dreams and solve the mysteries surrounding her.

[jewel]

I read naguib Mahfouzs cairo trilogy ...".Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, and Sugar Street", and "midaq alley" but found them quite heavy going, my best fictions are by women :
"Woman at Point Zero," about a woman who had a very sad childhood and forced to marry an older man finds as a way to gain some control over her sad and abusive life becomes a prostitute, so well written and compelling and "god dies by the nile" about a woman called zakia and her life - wonderful descriptions of rural egypt and a book I could read over and again both by Nawal El-Saadawi
I also remember reading "the map of love" and "In the Eye of the Sun "by Ahdaf Soueif and one called "khuul khaal" which was excellent but appears to be lost so not sure who its by - but a very good almost non-fiction book really about the shackles worn by married women in egypt an excellent book too, but if you haven't read any of hers I would recommend Nawal El-Sadaawi

[dab19]

Must look out for that Orphan of the Sun....if you sing its praises LK....must be worth it!!
Tks

[Aromagician]

Oh dear, I have just been saying how dreadful the River God was on Luxor 4u...

I couldnt bear the way that Taita seemed to have all the good ideas, and come up with all the inventions, and be such a I can do everything better than anyone else on the known earth.

Am I alone in my disparaging nature. I am hesitant to go further into the series, as the unbeleivable nature of the main character leaves me on the sidelines.

[HEPZIBAH]

There is a brilliant childrens book which is also set there. It's called Orphan of the Sun, Gill Harvey. Bloomsbury 0-7475-7900-8

Thirteen year old orphan, Meyrt-Re, lives with her uncle's family in the village of Set Maat, home of the pharaohs' tomb builders. Under pressure to marry Ramose, a dull stonecutter, she resists and begs for guidence from the gods, but she is unable to decipher the message behind her dreams. Then her cousin falls gravely ill, and her uncle, believing her to have turned the Gods against him, banishes her from his home.

Other suspitious activities are going on. Why is Userkaf, a draughtsman, trying to stir trouble among the tome workers? And why is his servant girl stealing precious amulets from the embalmers? It is not until she meets the village wise woman thay Meyrt can begin to unravel the meaning of her dreams and solve the mysteries surrounding her.

[face=Comic Sans MS]I've not read Orphan of the Sun but I have read Love in Luxor by the same author. I rather think that many of the women who visit Luxor and forums dedicated to it could have written the same story. Not sure it's a 'holiday' read so much as one for 'under the dryer' at the hairdressers![/face]

Synopsis - from Amazon

We walked to the pick-up - myself, Ali, Sharif, Karen and Lisa. When we got to it, we realised there wasn't room for the three of us girls in the front. 'I'll get in the back, with Ali,' I said quickly. I hadn't realised how badly I wanted to be alone with him until then. And he must have felt the same way, because it was only seconds after climbing in and out of sight that we wrapped our arms around each other. This time it wasn't just our eyes that got to meet. Jen has persuaded her friends to come on holiday with her to Egypt. But two of them find it is too hot and too taxing, and only Jen and Karen are adventurous enough to join the lovely Ali on his boat and go to a village wedding. Jen is completely caught up in this exotic and exciting country, and she is especially drawn to the quiet and gorgeous Ali. Her friends think it is just a summer romance, but for Jen and Ali it is much, much more. Can their love survive not only cultural differences and distance, but tragedy as well?

[Horus]

Why ever not voice your opinion? If you did not like the book then you are quite entitled to say so. I think that what happens is that these self complimentary traits that he displays, either endear you to his character or makes you dislike him. Also I think that most people only like a couple of the books in that series, however I can really recommend some of his other books especially the early ‘Courtney’ series.

[Lisak]

There is a brilliant childrens book which is also set there. It's called Orphan of the Sun, Gill Harvey. Bloomsbury 0-7475-7900-8

Thirteen year old orphan, Meyrt-Re, lives with her uncle's family in the village of Set Maat, home of the pharaohs' tomb builders. Under pressure to marry Ramose, a dull stonecutter, she resists and begs for guidence from the gods, but she is unable to decipher the message behind her dreams. Then her cousin falls gravely ill, and her uncle, believing her to have turned the Gods against him, banishes her from his home.

Other suspitious activities are going on. Why is Userkaf, a draughtsman, trying to stir trouble among the tome workers? And why is his servant girl stealing precious amulets from the embalmers? It is not until she meets the village wise woman thay Meyrt can begin to unravel the meaning of her dreams and solve the mysteries surrounding her.

[face=Comic Sans MS]I've not read Orphan of the Sun but I have read Love in Luxor by the same author. I rather think that many of the women who visit Luxor and forums dedicated to it could have written the same story. Not sure it's a 'holiday' read so much as one for 'under the dryer' at the hairdressers![/face]

Synopsis - from Amazon

We walked to the pick-up - myself, Ali, Sharif, Karen and Lisa. When we got to it, we realised there wasn't room for the three of us girls in the front. 'I'll get in the back, with Ali,' I said quickly. I hadn't realised how badly I wanted to be alone with him until then. And he must have felt the same way, because it was only seconds after climbing in and out of sight that we wrapped our arms around each other. This time it wasn't just our eyes that got to meet. Jen has persuaded her friends to come on holiday with her to Egypt. But two of them find it is too hot and too taxing, and only Jen and Karen are adventurous enough to join the lovely Ali on his boat and go to a village wedding. Jen is completely caught up in this exotic and exciting country, and she is especially drawn to the quiet and gorgeous Ali. Her friends think it is just a summer romance, but for Jen and Ali it is much, much more. Can their love survive not only cultural differences and distance, but tragedy as well?

Oh I enjoyed that. It is a 'teenagers' book, but I found it amusing and found that the author summed up a lot about the sort of tourists that visit there. It isn't a book that challenges you by any means, but I was there in Luxor whilst reading it.

[Goddess]

Love in Luxor???

:lol:
Have I missed anything by not reading that one?!

And Horus - totally agree about either finding Taita endearing or annoying. If you found him annoying Aroma - I'd quit while you're ahead - you probably won't enjoy the other books in that series either because it's more of the same. If we all liked the same books, we'd be a really boring bunch of folk - and it's nice to disagree!

[Karenh]

I have read Love in Luxor not well written but certainley light reading and I quite enjoyed it!

[KJB]

I love the Elizabeth Peters books about Amelia Peabody Emerson. I think I've read them all and I always keep my eye open for the latest one in Gaddis bookshop. They really make me smile and are so evocative of the romantic idea of Egypt and Egyptology.

[Goddess]

I love those books too KJB! Been ages since I looked for another one - may have to look in the bookshops again.

[JOJO]

I picked a book up today from the charity shop for 30p......
'The Alexander cipher' by Will Adams.

'Alexander the Great, history's most enigmatic warrior king.His fabled tomb a wonder of the ancient world, seemingly lost forever.
Then a construction crew unknowingly rip open the mouth of an Alexandrian catacomb and trigger a deadly race for the greatest treasure of all time.'

[Horus]

Now that sounds like a good read

[JOJO]

Now that sounds like a good read

I'll get reading it so I can send it to you my little chuch monk

[KJB]

I've read that one Jojo. I enjoyed it but I'm saying no more so I don't spoil it for you.

[HEPZIBAH]

Nadia's Song by Soheir Khashoggi


Product Description - from Amazon

A powerful story of tragedy and triumph and the forbidden love affair between a wealthy young man who is heir to his father's cotton plantation in Alexandria and a beautiful young servant girl.

About the Author

Soheir Khashoggi was born in Alexandria, Egypt. A member of one of Saudi's most prominent families, she has used her influence to highlight the plight of women across the Arab world. She has participated in conferences worldwide and was recently invited to speak at the international Women's World Forum Against Violence, an organization founded by Queen Sofia of Spain. Her acclaimed first novel, Mirage, was published in 1996 and was followed by Nadia's Song in 1999. She has four daughters and although based in Connecticut, is a frequent visitor to London and Cannes.

[face=Comic Sans MS]This is the second time I've read this book, it having recently resurfaced from a box of books I'd forgetten about in the cupboard, and although I had forgotten some of it I did remember much of it and yet was still happy to continue reading.

Even when reading fiction, I always hope that I will learn a little something and this book didn't disappoint me. It shows something of the good and bad of all the nationalities involved. Dealing primarily with the relationship and attitudes of two families - the British family and their servants, and the fast changing world and Egypt that they live in. It shows how when young the children of such different cultures can paly together but how, as they grow older, their lives must take on different directions.

All in all a good read.[/face]

[Horus]

For all you Wilbur Smith fans, his latest book is about to be released or is already available in some countries: It is called ASSEGAI, which is the name of the short stabbing spear used by the Masai.

Assegai will be published in the United States and Canada on 12 May, in Norway on 20 May, in Denmark on 25 June, and in the Netherlands on 30 July 2009. UK available now.

The Story in brief:
In 1913 Leon Courtney, an ex-soldier turned professional hunter in British East Africa, guides rich and powerful men from America and Europe on big game safaris in the territories of the Masai tribe. Leon has developed a special relationship with the Masai.

One of Leon's clients is Count Otto Von Meerbach, a German industrialist whose company builds aircraft and vehicles for the Kaiser's burgeoning army. Leon is recruited by his uncle Penrod Ballantyne (from The Triumph of the Sun) who is commander of the British forces in East Africa to gather information from Von Meerbach. Instead Leon falls desperately in love with Von Meerbach's beautiful and enigmatic mistress, Eva Von Wellberg.

Just prior to the outbreak of World War I Leon stumbles on a plot by Count Von Meerbach to raise a rebellion against Britain on the side of Germany amongst the disenchanted survivors of the Boer War in South Africa. He finds himself left alone to frustrate Von Meerbach's design. Then Eva Von Wellberg returns to Africa with her master and Leon finds out who and what she really is behind the mask...

A must for all you fans of the Ballantyne series

[Karenh]

Hepzibah I have just managed to order Nadia's Song thourgh Amazon for 1p. It sounds a really interesting book. Thanks for your recommendation of it.