Rating: 
Summary: Scholastic reading club nominee...
Review: ...or at least that is how this, uh, piece of historical fiction should have been marketed. The plot is a juvenile mystery in which the greatest of Egypt's pharoahs (albeit in a younger guise) and his friend, Moses (yes, THAT Moses), are the sleuths. The prose is moaningly bad even for the 'tweens crowd for which this novel should have been aimed, and the characters are riduculously flat and clichéd. It also offers little to no detail of society or daily life in those times thus failing to believably "set the stage" and transport the reader. If you're really looking for some decent historical fiction, try Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series. Not the same time period or topic, but you adults in crowd will not feel intellectually insulted with each passing paragraph. I rate this a one star only because I cannot leave half a star. Why would it earn even half a star? Spelling.
Rating: 
Summary: Just Missd the Mark
Review: After finishing all 5 books in the series, I came away satisfied, but not completely full (much like eating sushi). The backdrop to the series is fantastic (who is not intrigued by ancient Egypt) and the characters were generally interesting, but unfortunately, there was MUCH too little development, both in terms of characters and plots. The author has an annoying habit of solving/explaining away too many (as in all) of the major conflicts to Ramses, being a living god and thus calling on super-natural abilities to solve the problem / slay the enemy. Each book could have easily been the length of the entire series, example: the entire battle of Kadesh (Ramses most notable victory) was glossed over in about 15-pages! I realize this is a novel, but let's get real...unfortunately, this is the case with most of the interesting items in this series from relationships, to motives, to plots. BUT with that said, it was an enjoyable read AND I found that a good bit of the series was historically accurate, of course with some liberties taken. I would recommend this book and each one in the series to other readers (provided they have an interest in Ancient Egypt), but just don't expect too much and you might not be let down.
Rating: 
Summary: Ramses II The Son of Light
Review: Christian Jacq uses his extensive knowledge of Egypt to weave a wonderful coming of age story in Ramses II The Son of Light. Jacq's novel incorporates history and intrigue to capture and transport the reader into the world of Ramses and the making of a pharaoh. From his first test, standing face to face with a wild bull, Ramses exhibits both the intellect and courage that will make him the most successful of Egypt's pharaohs.As Ramses strives to become enlighteded through the wisdom of his father, the pharaoh, he is being undermined and challanged by his older brother, Shaanar, for the right to rule. Ramses must also contend with the two young women in his life, Iset the Fair, his passionate lover, and Nefertari, the woman who will become his wife. There are also the many friends and acquaintances, among them Moses and Homer, who play a role in his transformation from a boy to a leader of men. Whether one is interested in history or just a good story, Ramses II The Son of Light will fit the bill. After reading the first book, one would be hard pressed not to read the entire series.
Rating:
Summary: dont' expect to learn from this book
Review: Dont' expect to learn much about the life of Ramesses II from this book. Just as the rest of the series,while it is a good book for a lazy day at the beach, it is full of historical speculations and mostly historicaly inacurate.
Rating: 
Summary: I was disappointed by the entire series
Review: I bought the first three books of the Ramses series, because I was interested in reading a book about Egypt. And after completed the first one I feel quite satisfied. Christian Jacq has the talent for representing his knowledge about ancient Egypt in a manner comfortable for common readers. One of the things I enjoyed very much in this book is the way the author makes you "sink" in the atmosphere of Egypt. There are also some moments and facts that are known from history and there are some experimental (or little irritating...) moments like the one with Homer, being contemporary of that time. I liked though the way Trojan war is incorporated with the time Ramses lived. The story of the book is intriguing, and retaled in a 'calmer' way, making the book suitable for reading while in relaxed state. Imagine sunny afternoon, laying in a comfortable posture, thinking of nothing urgent... I think this book suits perfectly in this situation. Another interesting aspect for me is the representation of the importance of the religion for the ancient egyptians. Seti (Ramses' father) for me seemed to be very sober and prudent man and in the same time he payed great attention to the religion and customs. This is how a great culture is being developed and maintained. This book made me read more about the egyptian mythology, which for me is very specific and sublime. I'm curious about the next books, especially about the third one and the battle at Kadesh. I really hope the battle itself will be represented in more details than the battle between Ramses and the nubians in the first book. Finally, my opinion is that this book deserves to be read. And if someone has interest in ancient Egypt I think he will be filled with pleasant feeling after closing it, like I was.
Rating: 
Summary: The greatest Pharaoh Lives Again!
Review: I have read this many times( along with the rest of the series)
The story is beautifully written. An amazing piece of litrature!
Rating:
Summary: Ramses: Destined or Doomed?
Review: I personally thought that book was worthy of praise when I had completed it. The morality of it all was somewhat so important to the book that without it this marvelous book would have a straightforward, boring, and completely unrealistic plot. And so I recommend this book as well as the other Ramses books by Christian Jacq, you won't be dissapointed!
Rating:
Summary: A European Best Seller
Review: Known as a popular European bestseller, especially in France where author and Egyptologist Christian Jacq heads the Ramses Institute for the preservation of endangered archaeological sites, Ramses: The Son of Light begins a five-volume fictional biography of the great, long-lived pharaoh. Court intrigue, Egyptian religion, and mysticism form a backdrop to the interactions between real and plausible characters from throughout time and space in the ancient world.
Most of ancient history is viewed through a Greco-Roman type of eye. In Ramses: the Son of Light, Helen of Troy visits Egypt where she laments that she lacks the courage to kill herself. Jacq's Helen has hated her husband since the beginning. Now that the Greeks have destroyed Troy, she fears over the treatment she'll suffer in Sparta at Menelaus' hands. But eventually she realizes that she, too, can enjoy the comparatively privileged status of Egyptian women. While Helen's visit may be recorded in legend, Homer's presence in Egypt alongside Helen and Menelaus goes against current dating of the writing of The Iliad and The Odyssey. Homer isn't even blind initially, but capable of seeing the Egyptian beauties around him while he smokes a sage pipe, drinks aromatic, spiced wine, and writes his epics.
Moses and Ramses, taught together by the scribal teacher and Ramses' brother-in-law, Sari, are great friends. The remaining members of their scribal cohort and central characters in the series, are the snake-charmer, Setau, Ramses' devoted sandal-bearer, Ahmeni, and the diplomat, Ahsha. Future pharaoh Ramses' family consists of the current pharaoh, Seti, his Great Wife, Tuya, Ramses' elder brother, an overweight, conniver named Shanaar who believes he should be the next pharaoh, and Ramses' older sister, Dolora, the wife of the scribes' teacher, Sari.
King-making, the basic plot, ties together all the characters with Egyptian culture, magic, and religion. Ramses must undergo a series of tests, including surviving a divine, all-encompassing flame without knowing what he will win if he passes. Meanwhile Shanaar does everything he can to line up the leading families on his side for the inevitable showdown between him and his younger brother.
Black and white, good and evil, the plots and characters are entertaining. Jacq provides glimpses of life for various craftsmen in ancient Egypt as well as a sense of the respect and power of pharaoh; a divine incarnation. Like the first showing of a mini-series, Ramses: The Son of Light leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, well...
Review: My first review was vaporized by internet demons, but here is a less elegant reconstruction...
I wish Mr. Jacq had decided to write for the intelligent worldly reader and not dumbed down his stories for the average person. There is little historical accuracy in the storyline, although Mr. Jacq reveals his familiarity with the history with enticingly accurate tidbits such as place names, person names, and ancient religious rites. Why, if he is so well educated in the field, was Mr. Jacq not simply not accurate? For example, Nefertari had more than one child, and Rameses was quite, shall we say, prolific, in the field of fathering. And what is the Moses story doing here? Where is the proof?!?!
I DID read all 5 books. The stories were quite compelling in the same manner that a daytime soap opera might be (middle-school level reading and lots of romance and intrigue). Interestingly, I am also now quite diverted from my usual Anglophilic historical fiction. I eagerly anticipate the new Tutankamen Exibition coming to my area this spring.
On another note, if one reads the 5 books with today's world political status in mind, one finds interesting parallels in 2004 A.D. (or is that C.E.?)
Rating:
Summary: Scholastic reading club nominee...
Review: The young Ramses stared the bull in the face. He was afraid. The bull was so fierce. The young prince turned to his father, Seti I, for help. "You're sending me to my death", cried the young boy. The pharaoh responded "You must become the light of your people, shining like the sun. You were hidden in my hand like a star; today I am setting you free. To shine-or to vanish!" Thus would begin the long and vibrant career of Egypt's greatest pharaoh. The first of a five-volume set, Christian Jacq's novel of the life of Ramses the Great begins with the king's early life in Egypt. The supremely confident prince thought he was certain to succeed his father to the Horus Throne, but he was the only one who did. His brother, Shanaar, was the designated heir and he was jealous of his younger brother. His teacher said his name isn't even mentioned in court circles. He was told to leave town. Yet the prince was driven toward power and would never settle for anything less. He had a friend who felt the same way. A fire inside him driving him toward something great. That man was Moses. Even at a young age he began questioning the gods and was troubled by dreams he couldn't understand. Life would not be easy for the young prince. He would face many obstacles that would put his life in danger. His father was an enigma to him-leaving him to believe he was testing him for greatness and then abandoning him. If he was the Son of Light he would have to battle the forces of darkness and they would come from people very close to him. In ancient Egyptian culture the pharaoh was the protector of ma'at, the protector of order. To prove he was worthy of the honor he would have to prove it in the great battleground of Egypt. It would be order against chaos; light against darkness; and those storm clouds would gather threatening to consume the light before it had a chance to shine. Christian Jacq weaves together an exciting tale, based on the life of Ramses II of Egypt. This was the time of Moses and we're introduced to him as a young teenage friend of the Prince. It was also the time of the battle of Troy and in Greek mythology Menelaus and Helen were forced by a great storm to the shores of Egypt. Jacq even has Homer conversing with the Crown Prince sharing his stories and philosophy with him. Finally, there is the living pharaoh, Seti I, who is seen as the gentle and wise ruler imparting his wisdom to his son. It is an exciting beginning to what promises to be one the ancient world's most gloriest of times.
|
