Return to Thebes

I've come to the conclusion that I really don't like books written from multiple points of view. There are some absolutely compelling scenes hidden amongst the pretentiousness. The worst written chapters are the ones from the servants' points of view. While I appreciate that Drury was probably trying to show their awe and reverence for the various nobility and royalty, the extra words spent on groveling and self deprecation turns simple thoughts and plot progressions into multiple page passages of wasted words. The book is much smoother if the servant scenes are skipped all together.

In "A God against the gods" the late Allen Drury introduced us to 18th Dynasty Egypt, and some of the colorful personalities which debated the concept of monotheism for (possibly) the first time in history. Now, in "Return to Thebes", Mr. Drury finishes the story. We see the madness and decline of the Pharaoh, and the machinations of the priests of the traditional gods to regain their former power.Altogether, a fascinating look at a period of history which was (until this point) totally unfamiliar for me.I highly recommend these books.

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 asDrury 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 thoroughintroduction, 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!([email protected])

Return to Thebes is a brilliant work, and is even better than A God Against the Gods, its predecessor. Return to Thebes' plot has been carefully written by Drury to fit the archaeological theories about what really happened involving Akhenaten and his succesors. Every place and artifact, as well as most of his characters, actually existed! While it does drag at some points, this book will completely absorb you into the world of intrigue that was Egypt's court. Return To Thebes charts the fall of Akhenaten to the beginning of the next dynasty with Ramesses the first.