The Shadows on the Sun

Rosemary Harris's trilogy has enchanted me since I first read this, the second book, aged nine. I adored the first at thirteen, and - now seventeen - have just greatly enjoyed the third! I have heard it said that Philip Pullman was the first to cross the child/adult divide in fiction, but I'm sure Mrs Harris's other readers would agree with me when I suggest she beat him to it. Her books are not only beautifully, and intelligently, written; but her wonderful host of characters - from the troubled pharoh Merenkere and beautiful Meri-Mekhmet, to lovable tomb-robber Tahlevi and the villainous high-priest No-Hotep, (not, of corse, forgetting dear Reuben and Thamar and their horde of charismatic animals) - step easily from the page and become friend or foe. It has always saddened and confused me that few seem to have read The Shadow on the Sun, or its companions The Moon in the Cloud and The Bright and Morning Star, and that these masterpieces haven't achieved the recognition they deserve. But nevertheless - thank you Rosemary Harris!

A well-written classic, though not well known. It may look written for children, but adults will love this, too. It weaves many different themes and historical/fictional twists. I thouroughly enjoyed it.

This book, and the two others in this trilogy, absolutely captivated me when I was a child. It is such a shame that so few people have ever heard of it! I would love to meet RoseMary Harris...although this book is not allegory, if you like the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, you will probably love these books for your children.