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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drury's Nile adventure continues in triumph, June 21, 2000
Following his yteur earlier "A God Against the Gods," Pulitzer-Prize winning author Allen Drury picks up, without hesitation, on his story of Akenhaten, Nefertiti, and young King Tutanhhamon. This sequel is even more mesmerizing than the earlier work. In "Return to Thebes," Drury's depiction of the Eighteenth Dynasty, its intrigues, its murders, it romantic twists--all become bared as this ill-fated kingdom struggles with vengeful opposing priests, its own family members, even, perhaps, the gods themselves. It is Akhenhaten's zeal to make The One True God (the Aten) supreme that is his tragic (and literal) flaw. In this book, the deaths of Akhenhaten and Nefertiti set up the reign of the very young Tutankhamon. Alas, of course, even his reign is ever so brief and Drury contrives to convince us of the conspiracies that bring about his demise (or, as Drury shows, murder!). Dramatically presented, this story line captures the reader from the start as Drury brings, vividly, to life the court of the Eighteenth Dynasty, or some 3300 years ago. Granted, as this is a work of fiction, some literary license must be permitted (or else it's called non-fiction) and later Ancient Egyptian mystery novelists (especially Lynda S. Robinson--the Lord Meren series--and Lauren Haney "Right Hand of Amun"--both excellent writers, incidentally) show some disagreement with some of the historical points. But no matter, Drury, as he writes in his thorough introduction, explains any inconsistency that the reader--or expert--may find. For sheer drama, however, this book is hard to beat and Drury is true to form! I found his Egyptian tales more fascinating that his "Advice and Consent," for which he was awarded the Pulitzer--and that's saying quite a bit! (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)
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by Allen Drury
by Wilbur Smith
by Mika Waltari
by Paul Doherty
by Michelle Moran
