Ramses - The Son of the Light [Paperback]

Christian Jacq (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1st ed. U.S. edition (1997)
• ISBN-10: 0446164992
• ISBN-13: 978-0446164993
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (186 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An average novel, but be careful!, July 3, 2000

By 

James A. Johnson (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ramses: The Son of Light - Volume I (Paperback)

This book kept me entertained, which is usually all I ask from a book. In the historical fiction genre, however, I usually assume that the basic plot elements are either provable fact or at least in some way believable to historians. While I read the book, I was shocked to find out that much of what I thought about this period was wrong; when I finished and did research on the subject, I was disappointed to find out that I had been misled by someone who knew better.

I know that many will defend this work on the grounds that it is fiction, but I believe that someone with Jacq's credentials has a responsibility to his readers. Many people will read this book and 'learn' that Ramses II was contemporary with Helen of Troy, and that Homer was contemporary with them both - which is only the greatest of the wild inaccuracies in this book. One misguided reviewer on this site states, "The fact that the author, Christian Jacq, has a doctorate degree in Egyptian studies made me presume that the contents should not be too far from the truth". In actuality, the contents bear little resemblance to any defensible version of history. It's not just that conversations and minor characters are created, which is expected. It's not just that unexplained events are explained away in a controversial manner, which is reasonable. The problem is that established facts in history are actually contravened here. If you read this book and take for granted that anything you read is true, you are taking a great risk.

I am not telling you to avoid this book. It is very entertaining, and it may interest you in Egyptology. Certainly it propelled me to research the Trojan War, among other subjects. Just make sure that you understand; this is not historical fiction along the lines of George, Penman, and Shaara. This is closer to the alternate history novels of Harry Turtledove. Read and enjoy, but do not take it to heart.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A series of historical novels with neither accuracy nor (much) entertainment, July 28, 2005

By 

Frikle - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ramses: The Son of Light - Volume I (Paperback)

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 first book, Ramses begins his education from his father Seti who trains him to harness the powers of evil and destruction and to be benevolent to the people. However, Ramses must endure machinations from his jealous brother Shaanar although he is helped by his childhood friends such as Ahmeni who becomes his scribe. We are also introduced to a post-Trojan-war Menelaus and Homer.

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a romance novel, October 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Ramses: The Son of Light - Volume I (Paperback)

After reading Pauline Gedge's books (her books on Egypt are a must read), I was looking forward to more historical fiction on Egypt. However, I was sorely disappointed by this book. At first I thought it might be the translation - at one point Ramses says "Right on." One would think he was a modern American teenager rather than 2nd in line to the throne! Reading on though, I realised that it couldn't just be the translation -Ramses ends up in a fight with some grooms in the stables - you would think they should recognize him from his dress and manner! I couldn't finish the book. Unless you like romance novel style books or you are younger, I would go with Pauline Gedge's books - start with "Child of the Morning" or Lady of the Reeds."