In the tiny hamlet of Aswat, far to the south of the royal capital, a beautiful young girl wants more than the meagre prospects her village offers. Determined and resourceful, she is quick to leap upon an opportunity when the great seer Hui, who is also physician to Pharaoh, visits Aswat to commune with its god, Wepwawet. Taken under Hui's wing to become a healer, she has no idea of his real plans for her--plans that will bring her close to Pharaoh...
House of Dreams is the personal diary of Thu of Aswat, and it is a fascinating document. Written in the first person, each page chronicles her life from poor peasant girl in the rural Nile farming village of Aswat, to favored concubine in the Royal Harem of Ramses III at Pi-Ramesse. Omitting nothing, this blue-eyed daughter of an Egyptian midwife and Libu mercenary takes us on a journey that travels a path from childish...
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I had never read any of Pauline Gedge's books before, but when I stumbled across this one, I grabbed it! It's an enjoyable story, and Ms. Gedge kept it simple, which is nice for younger readers, and those who want something fresh and entertaining. It is filled with the history of ancient Egypt, and I found myself drawn into the story and the setting so much that I didn't want the book to end. The sequel, House of Illusions,...
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I'm only 12 and I have a great interest in Egypts history. I enjoyed this book very much but was disappointed with some of the situations in this novel. I would defainately recommend this novel to a friend but not to someone my age because some parts in the book were inapropriate for me to be reading. This was one of the best novels I have ever read considering the fact that I haven't read that many novels, with me only...
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This extremely well-written prose by Pauline Gedge was a pleasure and delight to read. The writer's technique of using the English language to describe ancient egypt and events in this book is astounding! The peasant, Thu, growing up with her poor egyptian family, has high dreams for herself & is not content to be a mere "woman" in egyptian society or a midwife as her mother before her. She attains her dreams after...
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Since I was 13, and read Child of the Morning, Pauline Gedge has been my favourite author. Now, nearly 20 years later, she continues to dazzle with Lady Of The Reeds (or House of Dreams in Canada). When I read her words, I can feel the heat of the sun and the breezes off the Nile; smell the sandlewood and jasmine; see the palaces, villages, and homes of the people she writes about. I loved this book and sequel with a fierce...
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