Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Mara Daughter of the Nile

Mara Daughter of the Nile was a book that is almost impossible to describe. The characterization was incredible, the romance was always hanging by a thread, the speed was just right, and the way the author brings the reader into the book is uncanny. The reader feels and hears and tastes everything exactly.

Unlike many novels, I actually saw what was happening. I felt as if I was watching it happen before me, as if I was standing amongst them the whole time.

Mara Daughter of the Nile is a historical-fiction romance novel set in ancient Egypt. During this time the Pharaoh, Hatshepsut, is not popular among some of the people, and there are some who are trying to forcefully get her younger brother, the prince, to become Pharaoh. Mara is a slave, one with spirit and high dreams for herself. One day her master sells her to some unknown man because ha can no longer stand Mara’s disobedience and defiance. This man, her new master, happens to be under the Pharaoh, he wants Mara to be a spy for him, to help keep the Queen on throne. She agrees, but at the time does not realize how much trouble she is getting herself into.

For fear of giving too much away, I will stop here, and just tell you that this novel captivates the reader and causes them to want nothing more than to finish the novel, and when that is accomplished, to daydream about it for weeks afterwards.

4 comments:

Noël De Vries said...

I remember the first time I read this! I couldn't read anything else for days and days, because all other books paled in comparison. She wrote another book about Egypt, The Golden Goblet, not quite as breathless of a novel, since there's no romance, but if you're into Egypt, it's a great read...

Nicole said...

I /continually/ caught myself thinking about and reliving in my imagination numerous scenes, it took me about a /week/ to recover before I could read anything else! I /really/ did thoroughly enjoy this novel!

Noël De Vries said...

Oh gag, did you like Catcher in the Rye? I tried it once ... people go on and on about it but I suspect it's one of those books you either love or despise.

Nicole said...

It was ok. We read it in school. I wouldn't have minded it too much if it weren't for all the swearing.