Lord of the Two Lands [Hardcover]

Judith Tarr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1993

A novel based on Alexander the Great's conquest of Egypt recounts this historic event through the eyes of Meriamon, daughter of the Pharaoh Nectanebo. By the author of Alamut. 25,000 first printing. $25,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although Tarr ( Alamut ; The Dagger and the Cross ) brings her customary depth of research to her topic--Alexander the Great in Egypt--and although the tale of Alexander's conquests carries a certain measure of ingrained drama, her efforts here fall flat. Meriamon, priestess and daughter of Egypt's rebel pharoah, comes to Alexander's camp after his first decisive victory over the Persians. She insinuates herself into his circle and, bit by bit, cajoles him into liberating her country from the hated Persians before he advances into Persia proper. At the same time she slowly falls in love with Niko, one of Alexander's soldiers. But circumstances and their contrary natures keep them apart for most of the book, and their turgid romance takes up too much space for too little purpose. The march toward Egypt generates little tension, save for a few moments during the sieges of Tyre and Gaza. Even Alexander seems merely to be going through prescribed motions, and Tarr strangely ignores what many readers will readers will surely know--that Alexander will not live long after his Egyptian adventure. Having for the most part downplayed the fantasy elements that added a welcome wrinkle to her previous historical novels, Tarr has yet to replace them with something to hold her readers' interest.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 317 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312853629
• ISBN-13: 978-0312853624
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,503,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have a lot of academic credentials (PhD from Yale, MA from Cambridge University, AB from Mt. Holyoke) and taught writing and Latin at Wesleyan University in Connecticut--before I ran away from it all to live on a mesa in Arizona. I breed and ride Lipizzan horses, read and study history (and make up my own alternate and fantastical versions), and write--novels, short stories, articles. I teach writing online (details at http://capriole.smoe.org) and blog on the livejournals as dancinghorse. My alter ego is author Caitlin Brennan, who also has a plog on amazon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece, May 3, 2000

By 

Sara Laren - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lord of the Two Lands (Hardcover)

This is pure, beautiful storytelling. This is the crown of all historical fiction. Judith Tarr writes in a stirring, lovely prose that evokes the imagination and a deep sense of prophecy and power. The relationships between the characters are done magnificently. Alexander is depicted just how I imagine him, and his interaction with everyone else is amazing. Meriamon the Egyptian princess is easy to identify with, one of three female characters in fantastic fiction I am able to stand, and her relationship with Niko is funny, touching, and real at the same time. The dialogue, the descriptions, the historical detail - everything is done to scale in this masterful epic of ancient history.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lord of the Two Lands, April 20, 2005

By 

Nikki_avid reader of egyptian literature (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lord of the Two Lands (Hardcover)

Amazing Novel - Meriamon, daughter of the last pharoah, must bring Alexander to Egypt and convince him to take up the position as pharoah of the Two Lands.


This book is a wonderful read, the relationship between Alexander and Haphaistion, as more than just lovers, is clearly displayed. Meriamon's commitment in fullfilling her duty to her country and to her King is reminiscent of Tarr's strong female heroines. It also has its lighter notes with Alexander's brother Arrhidaios and the fictional chracter Nikos who is Mariamon's love interest.

All in all Tarr has captured the essence of the characters perfectly, you feel as if you know them and wish you could have met them!

"King & Goddess" is also another one of my favorites by Tarr (displays the life of Hatsepshut, Queen-Pharaoh of Egypt)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of three books I read over and over...., September 24, 1999

By 

Hesper23 "Grad student" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lord of the Two Lands (Mass Market Paperback)

High praise, believe me, since I have read and discarded thousands of books. The story of Alexander and his early conquests are especially captivating and refreshing. Tarr's use of the English language is supert, at times, I could almost see the Alexander, hear the songs, and feel the magic. The characters in this story are unforgettable, depending on my moods, sometimes I identify myself most with tough Meriamon, and at other times, with Niko. This is a book that I feel will become a classic, perhaps too rough to put beside your Shakespeare, but perfect for the bed table, within arms reach.

By the way, my other two favourites are "The Horse and his Boy" by C.S. Lewis and "The Great Gatsby" by R.ScottFitzgerald.