Customer Reviews

Nefer the Silent (Stone of Light)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

It was with great anticipation that I began The Stone of Light, by Christian Jacq. Having read the Ramses series, I am well acquainted with Monsieur Jacq, his vast knowledge about ancient Egypt and his wonderful command of language. Only one word can capture my feelings about his latest tome: DISAPPOINTMENT. The Stone of Light reveals nothing about the life of ancient Egypt. The wonderful descriptions from the earlier Ramses series that transported you back thousands of years, is nowhere to be found. Instead, the reader is confronted with a formula book where the evil personnages have about the same depth of character as the silent movie villans who wore black capes, had pencil thin moustaches and tied victims to the railroad tracks. Here, they plot and scheme, they are bad and some meet a justifiable end. Our hero - it is only by comparison with the "bad" characters, that we can surmise who the "good" ones are. But don't expect the stature of an ancient hero, they just don't measure up. What is missing, what the author failed to share, is some of his knowledge and understanding of life in the craftsmen's village in the Valley of the Kings and Queens. He missed the opportunity to bring us into a royal tomb as it was being created. He could have shown us the steps, explained the paintings, brought the entire valley to our consciousness. Instead, the reader is faced with a B grade version of ancient Egypt. If a movie were to be made and production costs prohibited an Egyptian set, no problem. The entire setting could be transported anywhere, even to Mayberry. Nothing would be lost and very little would need to be changed.I eagerly devoured every book in the Ramses series, even going so far as to reading Vol IV in French so that I didn't have to wait until the English version was available. Monsieur Jacq, I am very disappointed in you. Your knowledge of ancient Egypt is not surpassed by many. You writing style is normally above par. Why would you besmurch your legacy by writing something on par with Barbara Courtland? Shame on you!

I love this novel, although compare to the Ramese series and the Black Pharaoh, this one is not as excited.

The novel vividly describes the living of the tomb makers. You may be surprised when you find out that even a very little episode happened in the novel may be a historical fact (you can know more by reading the book "The live of the Pharaoh Tomb Builders" by John Romer). In the beginning I thought the novel is based on Jacq's own imagination, but later I have found out that the Place of Truth does exist in Egypt (Del Medina). You can even find out the pictures of the village from the Internet and discover that the description of Jacq in the novel is exactly the same as what you can see in them. The five gates, the houses, and the tombs of the Master, are very details in Jacq's description. The living of the villagers, the murder of Nefer, the leading of Paneb, the Key of Dream of Khen the Scribe of the Tomb, and the existence of theWise woman, they are all based on facts.

Book 1 is quite boring, the others are better. This novel covers the period from Ramese II to Ramese III! People who are familiar with Egyptian history may know that after Ramese II, the power of Egypt declined until the reign of Ramese III, which belonged to another dynasty. Jacq did not reveal his name at first, only mentioned "the son of Sehknet". But he is able to reveal the ability of this son of Sehknet. People familiar with Egyptian history will know that he is of course no one but Ramese III.

The strength of Jacq is that he is able to gather the scattered facts of Egyptian history, together with his own imagination, and weave a story. From his novel, you can read Egyptian history, not scattered monuments, tablets, and inscriptions, but a continuous novel.

The weak of Jacq, however, is that his view of Egypt is somehow biased. In his eye, Egypt is a paradise. The Pharaohs are always justice. They love his own people, his country, reigning according to Ma'at, which I believe is not always true.

The first volume in Christian Jacq's The Stone of Light series is pleasure to read. If you have read his five volume Ramses II series, don't miss this one.

Jacq is an Egyptolgist who possesses an incredible ability: without hindering plot, bogging down his writing with too much detail or weak character development, he allows the reader to visit this great civilization in its glory, recontructed upon accurate historical information. I suppose the point that I am trying to make is that Jacq's novels are not like an academic textbook, although you may find yourself wanting to learn more about this fascinating ancient civilization after reading one of them... His writing simply flows. He skillfully breathes life into actual people (as well as some fictional ones too) that lived thousands of years ago. I have found reading each of his works so far to be a pleasurable experience.

As for Nefer the Silent itself, the story focuses on two young men, Silent (a sculpter) and Paneb (a painter), who both seek to become artists in the brotherhood of the Place of Truth. The Place of Truth is home to a sacred brotherhood who are charged with the task of creating the tombs of the Pharoahs and Queens. Although many rumors exist about the brotherhood due to the secrecy of their work and the fact that they answer only to Pharoah, both men are determined to follow the path that will lead them there. For each it will be different and there it is not certain that an artist will be accepted once he reaches the Place of Truth. Nevertheless, Paneb and Silent are determined to try and this is their story.

I enjoyed Nefer the Silent a great deal and immediately purchased the next volume (I confess, I didn't but the book when it first came out.) I've finished both of them in under three days. I couldn't put this down. I hope your experience is as good as mine has been. Enjoy!

I have read all of Christian Jacq's books in French and some in English, and everytime I am amazed. He's the author who started my passion for ancient Egypt, and since then it grows more with every new book he writes! He's an Egyptologist and so you can really dig in and not be afraid of what he might write because he's an expert in his field! This book talks about the Place of Truth which really existed in the time of the Pharaohs, and in this case in the time of Ramses the Great! You will learn amazing facts about how the ancient Egyptians really lived, and how their civilization was a great one. It's a book that anyone can read because it's all put into simple words. So do not be afraid and dig in! You will not be dissapointed, and keep an eye out for the other volumes! The 2nd one is already out, and numbers 3 and 4 will be coming out soon!

I found this book to be very insightful. Not only about the life of ancient Egypt, but also about how these ancient craftsmen viewed their talent and their work, associating it with life.

The story is about a village in ancient Egypt where all the craftsmen working on the Valley of the Kings must reside, away from the people. They are thought as people who have a special gift and they are responsible for making the transfer of life for the Pharaohs, from their deaths to their next life, and are therefore sworn to secrecy. Of course, all this secrecy brings about jealousy....

The story is well written and the author presents the characters very well and you become familiar with these characters. He also introduces us to all aspects of life in ancient Egypt. From the worker to the magistrate to the mayor, back to the craftsmen; and how each one reacts in their sphere of influence.

Great read.

Nefer the Silent is a spectacular novel taking place in Ancient Egypt. The characters are very well-developed, reminding me of the Ramses series by Christian Jacq, only better (if possible). The main plot of the story revolves around a farmer's son who has a passion for drawing. He runs away from home in search of the Palace of Truth, where he can practice his drawing to his heart's content. The book is quite historically accurate, pertaining to many Ancient Egyptian customs, yet weaving them together in a novel that grasps you from beginning to end. This book is a masterpiece, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

As with the Ramses series Christian Jacq has once again got me hooked. "Nefer the Silent" was an interesting slant on another side of egyptian civilisation, Nefer had me begging for more but I found the follow up, "The Wise Woman" a tad slow and drawn out in comparison. Jacq's detail to attention and passion for Ramses could never be reflected in any other series. However, Jacq is a master of his craft and has once again left the reader with a cliff hanger in "The Wise Woman," it would be imposssible not to buy the follow up. If you have read and enjoyed the Ramses series i would advise you to keep an open mind when reading Nefer as there is no real comparison. The style is different and more calculated but still continues to be a wonderful insight to the lives of those who lived quite a while ago!! ENJOY - I DID!!

Despite the other negative reviews, I thought this book gave an excellent look at Ancient Egypt. Some parts of it were too short for what the storyline entailed, and it definately left the reader wanting more at the end, but I have a feeling this is because Mr. Jacq wants to leave us hanging for his next book.

The only thing I didn't quite understand was why this book was called "Nefer the Silent," when most of it featured other characters. I'm sure the part with Nefer took up only perhaps a third of the novel...

However, I did enjoy the idea that there was a sacred brotherhood who built the pyramids and tombs that would be the final resting place of the pharoahs. Indeed, there is too much attention to detail in them for it to be the work of slave labour.

Anyway, I would recommend buying this book. Perhaps if you aren't sure, you could go to a library and see if they have it. :)

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN ANCIENT EGYPT AND THE TIME OF THE PHARAOHS. THIS BOOK IS A FACINATING LOOK INTO THE DAY TO DAY LIFE OFANCIENT EGYPT, ITS RITUALS AND PEOPLES. THIS IS NOT A TEXT BOOK DESCRIPTION. CHRISTIAN JACQ BRINGS TO LIFE THE PEOPLE THAT BUILT THE SHRINES, CITIES AND PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT. YOU LEARN THAT THEY TOO HAD FAMILIES AND PROBLEMS NOT UNSIMILAR TO WHAT FAMILIES DEAL WITH TODAY. THIS BOOK CAUGHT MY INTREST RIGHT FROM PAGE ONE AND I AM EAGERLY AWAITING THE NEXT VOLUMN FROM MR. JACQ. HE CAN'T WRITE IT SOON ENOUGH FOR ME.

If you expect novels to be well-written, this one is not. The characters are one-dimensional, the story line plods along very predictably. Don't waste your time or money.