lisa_setepenre's review
3.0
I've been spoilt. I've read two other novels about Hatshepsut (Pauline Gedge's [b:Child of the Morning|296570|Child of the Morning|Pauline Gedge|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312023396s/296570.jpg|1526292] and Lavender Ironside's [b:The Sekhmet Bed|12398627|The Sekhmet Bed|Lavender Ironside|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327938831s/12398627.jpg|17379904]), that have been excellent. Patricia L. O'Neill's Her Majesty, the King is not of the same standard.
That's not to say that Her Majesty, the King is terrible. While it doesn't meet my gold standard, it's one of the better Ancient Egyptian novels I've read. One of the notes I made when reading it was "almost there, but not quite". As it is a first novel by an Australian author, I'm also inclined to be patriotic and forgive a lot.
One of the things that I was most excited about is a Hatshepsut who isn't her father's heir from childhood. The Hatshepsut we're introduced to is one who is content to marry her brother and bear his children, and even when her father does pass the royal ka to her, not Thutmose II, she is reluctant to declare herself king. This reluctance makes an interesting character arc to watch unfold over the novel.
However, early on, there are clear indicators about Hatshepsut is meant to be the rightful heir, especially next to the repellent (and pimply) Thutmose II. Thutmose (dubbed 'Tut') is put back two years at the kap (school) at the same time that Hatshepsut leaves two years early because she's "already knows more" than most of her teachers.
Thutmose II is utterly repellent here. He's an awful, horrid person throughout the course of the novel. He does such monstrous things that it's impossible to feel any pity for him by the end of the novel. The way he dies is horribly bizarre –. I did feel pity for the real Thutmose II, though as there's absolutely no evidence he was anything more than a short-lived, sickly king, husband and father. Who knows, maybe he and Hatshepsut genuinely liked each other.
I will mention this now – there is a lot of triggering material in the text, which I will state behind the safety of a spoiler tag, and keep in mind that they are also spoilers..
It's heavy stuff.
Onto historical accuracy – it's clear that O'Neill has done a lot of research, though there were a few problems. Senenmut is something of a hunk, when Egyptology conventions degree him to be rather plain looking – though O'Neill has her own spin on that. The most obvious diversion from history is that Thutmose III, who doesn't appear in this novel at all except as a fetus. Hatshepsut declared herself king in Year 7 of Thutmose III's rule, so the fact that she declares herself king before Thutmose is even born is, well, odd.
The writing is good and engaging, though at times it became too modern sounding (e.g. insults of "arsehole!").
I will pick up the next two books, mainly because the relationship between Thutmose III and Hatshepsut promises to be more protégé and mentor than rivals, and I'm hoping that will be less triggering material.
Her Majesty, the King is a good book, but it could be better.
That's not to say that Her Majesty, the King is terrible. While it doesn't meet my gold standard, it's one of the better Ancient Egyptian novels I've read. One of the notes I made when reading it was "almost there, but not quite". As it is a first novel by an Australian author, I'm also inclined to be patriotic and forgive a lot.
One of the things that I was most excited about is a Hatshepsut who isn't her father's heir from childhood. The Hatshepsut we're introduced to is one who is content to marry her brother and bear his children, and even when her father does pass the royal ka to her, not Thutmose II, she is reluctant to declare herself king. This reluctance makes an interesting character arc to watch unfold over the novel.
However, early on, there are clear indicators about Hatshepsut is meant to be the rightful heir, especially next to the repellent (and pimply) Thutmose II. Thutmose (dubbed 'Tut') is put back two years at the kap (school) at the same time that Hatshepsut leaves two years early because she's "already knows more" than most of her teachers.
Thutmose II is utterly repellent here. He's an awful, horrid person throughout the course of the novel. He does such monstrous things that it's impossible to feel any pity for him by the end of the novel. The way he dies is horribly bizarre –
Spoiler
a sex toy accidentI will mention this now – there is a lot of triggering material in the text, which I will state behind the safety of a spoiler tag, and keep in mind that they are also spoilers.
Spoiler
Hatshepsut, and her sister-in-law, Huy, are both imprisoned in Thutmose II's room, starved and raped. Thutmose attempts to rape a twelve year old girl. A horse that Hatshepsut has raised since it was a foal, is killed and made into a meal that she then unknowingly eats. Senenmut twice escapes from threatened rape, at least one time when he was still a youth.It's heavy stuff.
Onto historical accuracy – it's clear that O'Neill has done a lot of research, though there were a few problems. Senenmut is something of a hunk, when Egyptology conventions degree him to be rather plain looking – though O'Neill has her own spin on that. The most obvious diversion from history is that Thutmose III, who doesn't appear in this novel at all except as a fetus. Hatshepsut declared herself king in Year 7 of Thutmose III's rule, so the fact that she declares herself king before Thutmose is even born is, well, odd.
The writing is good and engaging, though at times it became too modern sounding (e.g. insults of "arsehole!").
I will pick up the next two books, mainly because the relationship between Thutmose III and Hatshepsut promises to be more protégé and mentor than rivals, and I'm hoping that will be less triggering material.
Her Majesty, the King is a good book, but it could be better.
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