Customer Reviews

Lady of Abu Simbel (Ramses)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In the fourth volume of the five-volume Ramses series, Asha, the king's Secretary of State and childhood friend travels to Hatti with a peace proposal only to be caught up in a vicious power struggle to which Asha and Egypt could be the big losers. It would take much cunning to pull this off. Meanwhile, the king's brother, Shanaar, is still plotting against the king in Nubia where he lures the king into a trap that threatens the life of the Pharaoh. Only a miracle can save him. As if all this wasn't enough, Moses, Ramses boyhood friend, is threatening to take all the Hebrews out of Egypt as commanded by Yahweh. When Ramses refuses Egypt is hit with ten plagues until Ramses relents and expels Moses from Egypt.

Throughout the struggles of the now middle aged king brews an ever deepening love affair between Ramses and Nefertari, the Great Royal Consort. Ramses dedicates a great temple to her in the sacred land of Abu Simbel, which was to be her lasting tribute. So close are the king and queen that to get at Ramses Nefertari was a frequent target as was Ka, the king's oldest son.

I only give this book three stars because, even though it is written in the direct and fast-paced nature of his other books, the treatment of Moses troubled me. The true relationship between Moses and the pharaoh may never truly be known but Moses was portrayed as mad and wicked; which I find to difficult to believe. In the Ramses series, Christian Jacq has him in league with Ofir, the Hittite spy and sorcerer. Furthermore, Ofir suggests and may have been responsible for some of those plagues, thus undermining the role of God in all this.

Christian Jacq has brought out a series of five novels detailing the life of Ramses II, one of his role models. The series largely fails as a historical novel series. Firstly, it is inaccurate historically. Yes, this can be OK in many cases, but here it is a deliberate mish-mash of historical figures and chronologies where Ramses II rubs shoulders with Moses, Menelaus, Homer etc etc. (although Moses is the most likely to be an actual contemporary, this still seems like hacking together people and events). As for entertainment value, it is interesting in the way that extremely light writing with implausible plotlines is a quick read as it doesn't require much concentration and doesn't wear you out. However, there is much better writing out there (both literary and "light") - here, I found the dialogue to be especially unreal.

Jacq does mythologise Egypt with the sacred mysteries and magic of the priests being real. He also does a lot to make the whole setting come alive, which is the biggest strength of the series. But this could all be done without the several ridiculous aspects of the books.

In this, the fourth book, the Exodus of the Hebrews is finally described. It differs much from both the Biblical and contemporary historical accounts, but is not novel enough I don't think, to justify the rearrangement of history. There are also developments in the diplomacy between the Egyptian, Hittite and Assyrian kingdoms and Ramses decides to build Abu Simbel - a monument to his love for his sick wife.

A decent series if there's nothing better to read and it will increase your interest in Egypt, but there IS something better to read in terms of almost all the aspects of the series.

I have read this entire set and they are excellant reading in general. The way Mr Jacq portrays Ramses was very unrealistic, he was a god in his own right but the man was still human! It seemed throughout the 'books' that Pharaoh was "perfect" and "could do no wrong" but the characters around him were flawed. I think this five part "saga" would have been more believable if its main attraction had showed some frailties along the way. For example. the relationship Ramses has with his wife, Nefertari appears to be untouchable. What married couple has a "problem-free" relationship? I understand these novels were created for entertainment but what about just a little realism. Overall, its a good story and worth a read, even if the characters are shallow.

This is a really nice collection. I enjoyed it very much. It is so very well researched in both historical and religious terms. Jacq was largely very faithful to historical facts. He made one enormous assumption with no historical backing whatsoever, that Ramses II was King of Egypt during the time of Moses. His history of Moses and the events of his life resemble those told in the bible and Quran, but in a secular fashion. The story does go on, but then again the man did rule Egypt for a very long and eventful period. There are indeed several cardboard like people in the book, very one dimensional and therefore very predictable. If you like history, suspense, lots of action, this is a great collection, enjoy it. If you are planning a Nile Cruise, or have just been on one, you must buy this.

While maybe not as good as the others,Christian Jacq is a wonderful write

I have read all 4 English translations and I absolutely love this series. I just finshed "Lady" today, and I think that Jacq really paints a wonderful fictional picture of intrigue, romance and in this edition, sorrow. Ramses undergoes a great deal of hardship. I think that the Exodus could have been explained much better and that the ending did not provide much insight into the final edition, but overall, this has been an excellent work. I recommend the series for the avid Egyptologist, or someone jus looking for a an exciting, quick read.

Stylishly written with historical accuracy, intrigue, murder and romance. This collection of non-fiction/fiction novels are truly for the history lover. Set across Egypt and the Near East they tell the story of Ramses the Great and his royal family spanning his long reign. They begin when he is a boy, then to when he takes the throne, the battles he encounters, the women he meets and the monuments he builds. At times the books falter, but do continue as they are an easy read that are very worthwhile even just for dinner conversation. For the Egyptian history lover like myself they will seem like a little piece of Heaven. I would reccomend them to anyone who enjoys leanring about history and for those planning trips to Egypt, they will only enhance your time there! If you liked these novels also try Micheal Asher, Elizabeth Peters and P.C Doherty.

As the series progresses, more and more 'mysticism' becomes the driving force behind the book, thus getting further and further from an entertaining, perhaps educating, story.

Also, the constant regurgitating of facts for a reader that has not read the previous ones wears thin.

The series should have been 1 book--I think the author's profits or delusions of a 'saga' series ruined it. I can't read the last 50 pages--I'm completely bored.

This is the fourth in a five part series that really manages to blend history and full-blown fiction. Jacq's Egypt comes alive and jumps off the page, stealing you away to a world where magic might just be real and all those dry history stores come to life. I was really surprised at who "the good guys" and "the bad guys" turned out to be, and found myself really feeling for the characters in the pages. I highly recommend reading the series in order - you might just catch yourself rereading it, like I did ... wow, I just realized how cheezy that all sounds, but they really are great books.

This book opens in the middle of the protracted battles with the Hittites. Ramses, with his lion, Invincible, and his army, attacks some rebellious Canaanites and brings them back into the Egyptian fold. There are multiple battles throughout the book, plots, domestic and foreign, to unseat Ramses, but he is always prepared. Moses is presented as a leader of the Hebrews who is rather zealous and unreasonable. The story of the plagues is retold as a failed public relations attempt to spin natural phenomena:

"Aaron stretched out his staff and declared loudly, 'Since Pharaoh still refuses to allow the Hebrews to leave Egypt, here, after the water that changed into blood, is the second plague Yahveh inflicts on the oppressor: Frogs, thousands of frogs, millions of frogs, which will go everywhere, into the workshops, the houses, the bedchambers of the wealthy!"...
"Satau smiled. Neither he nor Kha would have to do anything to combat this plague. Aaron should have consulted Moses before uttering a curse which wouldn't frighten a single Egyptian. At this time of year, the frogs' proliferation was quite normal - in fact, the people considered it a good omen. In hieroglyphs, the sign of the frog served to indicate the figure 'a hundred thousand', that is, an almost incalculable number, proportional to the abundance brought by the Nile flood." (pg. 299)

This reinterpretation of the Hebrew story is quite interesting and made me wonder whether there is good reason to believe that this was in fact the Egyptian perspective on events.

However, Jacq's portrayal of Ramses not just as the representative of the Gods, but as a God, with no human failings quickly makes any historical accuracy questionable. Ramses is although not monogomous only capable of loving one woman. IN UTWA Ramses states that, "The Royal Children - those are simply honorary titles" (pg. 24). Yes, although Ramses had two wives, and a harem, he only had three children, and all those historical records documenting his progeny actually refer to the official titles bestowed on them rather than to any genetic relationship. Ramses only love was Nefertari, who dies at the conclusion of the book.
Sure, this all sounds very likely and in line with human nature. Only readable if you are willing to suspend disbelief.
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