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Summary: agree with m a r s and robin...
Review: If you expect novels to be well-written, this one is not. The characters are one-dimensional, the story line plods along very predictably. Don't waste your time or money.
Rating:
Summary: agree with m a r s and robin...
Review: If you expect novels to be well-written, this one is not. The characters are one-dimensional, the story line plods along very predictably. Don't waste your time or money.
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Summary: Egyyptologists will like this and want the next three in the
Review: In Ancient Egypt, the Place of Truth is a village located in an isolated, nearly impossible section to reach portion of the Upper Egyptian desert. Here live the master builders, stonecutters, sculptors, and painters working exclusively for Ramses the Great. Because these artisans compose the tombs of the Pharaohs, very few individuals are allowed entry into the isolated village. Even the soldiers guarding the village are Egypt's top guns. The aristocratic Mehy once dreamed of joining the Brotherhood of this village, but in spite of his family background, was rejected. Hatred has grown deep in his heart to the point that he is willing to risk his rising military career as a talented charioteer to gain vengeance. His plan is simple. He would learn all the secrets of this proud elitist village. If plan a fails, he will destroy the village. He soon discovers the existence of a sacred stone, which leads to his murdering a Nubian guard and setting in motion a plot that could make Mehy's plan come to fruition. Christian Jacq, author of the wonderful five-volume Ramses historical fiction series, starts his new collection with an enjoyable Ancient Egypt tale. The story line is entertaining and brings to the audience interesting tidbits on life in ancient times. The support cast augments the tale as the audience obtains glimpses into their roles and relationships. However, the villain never comes across as realistic, perhaps because his underlying motive is never fully explained, so that it seems too stretched to be acceptable. Still Mr. Jacq's latest epic novel (three volumes to follow) is another fabulous historical fiction work that paints a vivid panorama of life over thirty-five hundred years ago. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: The Stone of Light: Nefer the Silent
Review: It was with great anticipation that I began The Stone of Light, by Christian Jacq. Having read the Ramses series, I am well acquainted with Monsieur Jacq, his vast knowledge about ancient Egypt and his wonderful command of language. Only one word can capture my feelings about his latest tome: DISAPPOINTMENT. The Stone of Light reveals nothing about the life of ancient Egypt. The wonderful descriptions from the earlier Ramses series that transported you back thousands of years, is nowhere to be found. Instead, the reader is confronted with a formula book where the evil personnages have about the same depth of character as the silent movie villans who wore black capes, had pencil thin moustaches and tied victims to the railroad tracks. Here, they plot and scheme, they are bad and some meet a justifiable end. Our hero - it is only by comparison with the "bad" characters, that we can surmise who the "good" ones are. But don't expect the stature of an ancient hero, they just don't measure up. What is missing, what the author failed to share, is some of his knowledge and understanding of life in the craftsmen's village in the Valley of the Kings and Queens. He missed the opportunity to bring us into a royal tomb as it was being created. He could have shown us the steps, explained the paintings, brought the entire valley to our consciousness. Instead, the reader is faced with a B grade version of ancient Egypt. If a movie were to be made and production costs prohibited an Egyptian set, no problem. The entire setting could be transported anywhere, even to Mayberry. Nothing would be lost and very little would need to be changed.I eagerly devoured every book in the Ramses series, even going so far as to reading Vol IV in French so that I didn't have to wait until the English version was available. Monsieur Jacq, I am very disappointed in you. Your knowledge of ancient Egypt is not surpassed by many. You writing style is normally above par. Why would you besmurch your legacy by writing something on par with Barbara Courtland? Shame on you!
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Summary: Great book that paints some wonderful images
Review: Nefer the Silent is a great book that takes you back to a time where the artist were considered very important members of society. While this book might not be completely historically accurate, I am on the opinion that the story is very well crafted and grabs your attention from page one. The charters are engaging and you will find yourself caring for them. All in all a great book that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment. .
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Summary: Nefer the Silent
Review: Nefer the Silent is a spectacular novel taking place in Ancient Egypt. The characters are very well-developed, reminding me of the Ramses series by Christian Jacq, only better (if possible). The main plot of the story revolves around a farmer's son who has a passion for drawing. He runs away from home in search of the Palace of Truth, where he can practice his drawing to his heart's content. The book is quite historically accurate, pertaining to many Ancient Egyptian customs, yet weaving them together in a novel that grasps you from beginning to end. This book is a masterpiece, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
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Summary: I would not recommend this book for anyone...
Review: Normally I am not such a harsh critic, but this book was, simply put, horribly written. The story was about as generic and predictable as they come. The only thing that kept me reading was my hope for some sort of twist. That never happened; it went on exactly as I expected it to. Also, when I picked it up I was really hoping for some insight into the civilization of the ancient egyptian people - a topic which I find to be quite intresting. Instead, I got a children's story that, quite honestly, could have been set in any time and been in any place. In fact, I think that I could count the historical facts presented on one hand. I found this especially disappointing because I have read some of his other works and he seems to have extensive knowledge of the topic. I cannot figure out what went wrong on this one. I'm sorry to come down so hard on this novel, but what I am saying is no exaggeration...
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Summary: I would not recommend this book for anyone...
Review: Normally I am not such a harsh critic, but this book was, simply put, horribly written. The story was about as generic and predictable as they come. The only thing that kept me reading was my hope for some sort of twist. That never happened; it went on exactly as I expected it to. Also, when I picked it up I was really hoping for some insight into the civilization of the ancient egyptian people - a topic which I find to be quite intresting. Instead, I got a children's story that, quite honestly, could have been set in any time and been in any place. In fact, I think that I could count the historical facts presented on one hand. I found this especially disappointing because I have read some of his other works and he seems to have extensive knowledge of the topic. I cannot figure out what went wrong on this one. I'm sorry to come down so hard on this novel, but what I am saying is no exaggeration...
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Summary: If you liked Jacq's Ramses the Great series...
Review: The first volume in Christian Jacq's The Stone of Light series is pleasure to read. If you have read his five volume Ramses II series, don't miss this one. Jacq is an Egyptolgist who possesses an incredible ability: without hindering plot, bogging down his writing with too much detail or weak character development, he allows the reader to visit this great civilization in its glory, recontructed upon accurate historical information. I suppose the point that I am trying to make is that Jacq's novels are not like an academic textbook, although you may find yourself wanting to learn more about this fascinating ancient civilization after reading one of them... His writing simply flows. He skillfully breathes life into actual people (as well as some fictional ones too) that lived thousands of years ago. I have found reading each of his works so far to be a pleasurable experience. As for Nefer the Silent itself, the story focuses on two young men, Silent (a sculpter) and Paneb (a painter), who both seek to become artists in the brotherhood of the Place of Truth. The Place of Truth is home to a sacred brotherhood who are charged with the task of creating the tombs of the Pharoahs and Queens. Although many rumors exist about the brotherhood due to the secrecy of their work and the fact that they answer only to Pharoah, both men are determined to follow the path that will lead them there. For each it will be different and there it is not certain that an artist will be accepted once he reaches the Place of Truth. Nevertheless, Paneb and Silent are determined to try and this is their story. I enjoyed Nefer the Silent a great deal and immediately purchased the next volume (I confess, I didn't but the book when it first came out.) I've finished both of them in under three days. I couldn't put this down. I hope your experience is as good as mine has been. Enjoy!
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Summary: A Disappointing Follow-on to Ramses
Review: There are only a couple of possibilities that occur to me after reading the Ramses series and then reading Nefer the Silent. The first is that the real Christian Jacq has been kidnapped by space aliens who have put one of their own in his place. The second is that Monsieur Jacq has been taken ill the same way the great science fiction author Robert Heinlein was toward the end of his life, and this explains why The Stone of Light is so disappointing. The third, and most likely explanation, is that Pocketbooks and their translater, Sue Dyson, have done an abominable job compared to the fine job done by Warner and Mary Feeney. By comparison, the characterization in Stone is much weaker than in Ramses. The dialogue is definitely fourth rate. And there is no continuity and no reason for a lot of the action to happen. The grab that made Ramses such a good read is simply missing, and with the jumpiness in the (alleged) plot and the gratuitous use of adverbs straight out of melodrama (way too many "...he said, sarcastically." type of things), I have to believe Christian Jacq has grounds to sue Pocketbooks and the aforementioned Ms. Dyson. I'll probably buy the others as they appear because I can't believe this one is so bad. But if you have more willpower than I do, save your money and invest it elsewhere. There are too many good historical novels, and life is too short to waste your time on a bad translation.
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