Mara is a proud and beautiful slave girl who yearns for freedom. In order to gain it, she finds herself playing the dangerous role of double spy for two arch enemies - each of whom supports a contender for the throne of Egypt.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Mara is a wonderful heroine for young girls. Set in the time of Hatshepsut, Pharoah of Egypt, this small novel brings to life a distant era with remarkable clarity. McGraw has crafted her vision of the period around an exciting palace intrigue. The character of Mara, a young slave girl, is an excellent example for young women and it is remarkable to find in a book that was written in the 1950s. If you know a young woman of 9 to 14, give her this book.
This is one of the best books that I have ever read - how fortunate that it is still in print after all these years! I first encountered this excellent novel in 1961. I read it at least 20 times. I was too poor to purchase, so I copied the book out in about 10 school scribblers. True! When my daughter was 10, I bought a copy for her and another for myself.
McGraw's interpretation of the era can easily be faulted, but her sense of "Egypt" cannot. This book sent me on an investigative journey into the subject of Egyptology that has been a distinct pleasure all my life. I highly recommend this wonderful tale.
This is one of the best books that I have ever read - how fortunate that it is still in print after all these years! I first encountered this excellent novel in 1961. I read it at least 20 times. I was too poor to purchase, so I copied the book out in about 10 school scribblers. True! When my daughter was 10, I bought a copy for her and another for myself.
McGraw's interpretation of the era can easily be faulted, but her sense of "Egypt" cannot. This book sent me on an investigative journey into the subject of Egyptology that has been a distinct pleasure all my life. I highly recommend this wonderful tale.
62 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I was in junior high school, I read this book and loved it. In fact, I read it over and over, and recently sent a copy to my niece as a 12th birthday gift. Mara, the spunky 17-year-old slave girl, is a wonderful role model for adolescent girls: far from perfect (in fact, rather devious), but brave and eventually quite heroic as she risks death rather than betray the people and ideals that she loves. I'm not entirely happy with the fact that Queen Hatshepsut, another feminist heroine of mine, was the villain of this novel. For the record, the real Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for many years of peace and prosperity, and as far as we know, died peacefully of old age. Her stepson (NOT her brother) Thutmose then destroyed her statues and inscriptions in a fit of petulant pique, but did not overthrow her.
Still, who cares? This version makes a wonderful, swashbuckling story, and also provides an excellent introduction to the culture of ancient Egypt for kids who are curious about its history.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This was the first novel I ever read (when I was 12) that transported me to the ancient world. I loved it so much that, many years later, I still have a copy of it on my bookshelf. Mara is a terrific heroine: courageous, imaginative, adventurous, and self confident. However, she also has the ability to be deceptive when she needs to be in order to survive. Because of her gift for languages, Mara is bought out of slavery to serve as interpreter between pharoah Hatshepsut's brother Thutmose and his betrothed, an unhappy Babylonian princess. She is supposed to be a spy on behalf of Hatshepsut's supporters, but circumstances force her to become a double agent, who also reports to Thutmose. This places her in the center of dangerous court intrigues. The story combines vivid historical detail, engaging characters, suspenseful adventures, and a touching love story. Although it was written for a young adult audience, adult readers can also find this very enjoyable. I agree with other reviewers: this would make a wonderful movie!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful story
I read this book when I was in elementary school more than 50 years ago, loved it then, actually picked it up because it had my name, 'Mara' in the title. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bellamara
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely love it
Finished it in one sitting. Read it in elementary and I lovedit and I still love it now. Most awesome book ever...
Published 4 months ago by Ashleydavis22
5.0 out of 5 stars
Adventure and romance in ancient Egypt
I first read this book over fifty years ago. I loved the story set in ancient Egypt which was brought to life so vividly and gave me a great desire to learn more about Egypt. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Janet Cummings
5.0 out of 5 stars
All time favorite!!!
Love love love this book! Has everything I look for in a great read: intrigue, fascinating story line, great background and believable basis with the setting and times, great... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jessica Tiek
5.0 out of 5 stars
A surprise hit.
My daughter never read books - getting her to read was very difficult, even though she could read well. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. Lynn Hand
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mara, the egyptian spy! Loved it!
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I loved it from beginning to end. Mara is a daring, smart slave who finds herself in the middle of a plot to overthrow Pharaoh. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Debbie Dee
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read.
The best book EVER.
This is a book about a very witty and charming slave named Mara.
She loathes the life of a slave and sneaks off to town when she can. Read more
This is a book about a very witty and charming slave named Mara.
She loathes the life of a slave and sneaks off to town when she can. Read more
Published 7 months ago by als
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful Ancient Historical Read!!!
Mara's a slave in Egypt. Though beautiful, she's proud and feisty. In a change of fate, Mara finds herself sold to a new mysterious owner. Read more
Published 9 months ago by The Reading Sisters
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mara, Daughter of the Nile
A wonderful novel I discovered when I was in junior high in 1975. I loved all the history/ruins of Egypt, so when I found a novel, I was thrilled, and read the story over and over. Read more
Published 11 months ago by times past classics
5.0 out of 5 stars
a classic
Don't let the old original print date scare you (1953) - this book held me spell bound until the last page. So well written and with a likeable main character. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sandy
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