Customer Reviews

House of Dreams --2002 publication.

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

House of Dreams is the personal diary of Thu of Aswat, and it is a fascinating document. Written in the first person, each page chronicles her life from poor peasant girl in the rural Nile farming village of Aswat, to favored concubine in the Royal Harem of Ramses III at Pi-Ramesse. Omitting nothing, this blue-eyed daughter of an Egyptian midwife and Libu mercenary takes us on a journey that travels a path from childish innocence to vile debauchery. We are with her every step of the way. We walk with the young Thu as she leads the family bovine "Precious Sweet Eyes" to the banks of the Nile. We plunge into the Nile with Thu in the dead of night and board the barge of the Seer Hui, where she offers her virginity to the gods of ambition. We witness the education and humiliation she endures to achieve external beauty and power. We sympathize with her as she is cruely manipulated by those with a terrible agenda. Sadly we watch, as by her own choice she becomes a murderess to fulfill her impossible dreams. Lady of the Reeds is a self-serving diary, as Thu attempts to justify her actions to all who read it. Not only do we see through this transparancy, but in the end so does she. What is chilling about this story is our recognition... that we all have some Thu in us. The life story of Thu of Aswat continues sixteen years later in the sequel, House of Illusions.

I'm only 12 and I have a great interest in Egypts history. I enjoyed this book very much but was disappointed with some of the situations in this novel. I would defainately recommend this novel to a friend but not to someone my age because some parts in the book were inapropriate for me to be reading. This was one of the best novels I have ever read considering the fact that I haven't read that many novels, with me only being 12. This was one of those books that I couldn't put down and there is alot of books that I will put down. I can't wait to read the sequel House of Illusions.

As usual Pauline Gedge makes you enter the world of Ancient Egypt keeping you in it until you finished the book. This is just another wonderful story as she knows how to write them.
The sequel "House of Illusions" is not as good though, it seems like she had to write an end to the first one which did not need it. One of my favorite authors anyway.

The trials and social battles that the young girl, Thu, faces to rise from meager peasant to Pharoah's concubine entice and enthrall the reader from the beginning. Ms. Gedge's writing style, fluent and descriptive, is easy and comfortable to sit and read for hours and hours at a time. So, with the help of her new Master and leaving her family behind, Thu adventures through the various social arenas of Egypts aristocrats to rise and emerge a successful and cunning play-thing of the mighty Pharoah, only to be entwined in a plot so thick that the memories sting Thu still as she narrates this account of her youth. I really enjoyed the story and am now reading the second book of this series, "House of Illusions".

I had never read any of Pauline Gedge's books before, but when I stumbled across this one, I grabbed it! It's an enjoyable story, and Ms. Gedge kept it simple, which is nice for younger readers, and those who want something fresh and entertaining. It is filled with the history of ancient Egypt, and I found myself drawn into the story and the setting so much that I didn't want the book to end. The sequel, House of Illusions, was very good as well.

I am torn between really enjoying how well the novel was written, and how depressing the ending was. I have read numerous ancient Egyptian fiction novels and am use to them turning out victorious with happy endings...not this one. But still, a great read. :)

This book was a disappointment from start to finish. It showed good promise in certain areas. Thu is not a sympathetic character, her actions are wooden and her attitude laughable. The machinations surrounding her are so obvious that her inability to see them is simply stupid. I found myself becoming angry at her inability to see the coming betrayal pages before it actually happened. I do not recommend this book and I will not read the sequel.