Rating: Summary: Rice has written some beauties - but this isn't one of them. Review: As a lover of all things Egyptian as well as all things Anne Rice, it was with much anticipation that I picked up this book. I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed with this novel. Ramses is an immortal man who is cursed with insatiable hungers for food, women, and drink. He entombed himself during Cleopatras time, and does not awaken again until the year 1914 when an English Egyptologist uncovers his resting place and brings him to London. Coming to his senses in England, Ramses immediately begins to cause trouble and consume everything in his path. Handsome and charming, he is refused nothing. Even so, he longs for his ancient Egypt and makes a horrible mistake in his efforts to curb his desire. He endangers the woman he has come to love, as well as all of London! Not a bad story altogether, but it's not one of my favorites, either.
Rating: Summary: Completely different from her other books Review: The mummy is a very nice love story, that reminds nothing of the vanpire chronicles, which I also like very much. Some of the lines of the book are wonderful, especially when we learn about the love between Ramses and Cleopatra. The heroine of the book did not persuade me that she deserved a man like Ramses - she was a little meak -but she was not bad. Nice love story though, with enough adventure to make it even more interesting.
Rating: Summary: The ONLY Anne Rice book to read!! Review: Previously, all Anne Rice books were tedious and extremely difficult to read. Yet, suddenly, I discover a copy of this book and read the back cover--lo and behold, here's the perfect novel for me!! As an ancient Egyptian history buff, I could appreciate the way Rice writes in characters like Rameses the Second and Cleopatra herself, and as a romance/Stephen King fan I could appreciate the twisted love story of Julie and Rameses--and the rebirth of the remains of Cleopatra. I have read this book about 20 times, and the story NEVER gets old to me--the characters are perfectly developed, and all of the events are well plotted and thought out by the author. It is a rare case indeed when one person can find their favorite book of all time and posess it--and I must admit that The Mummy has fully fulfilled my wishes when it comes to the perfect book. Anne Rice--you deserve a big shout out and an adamant THANK YOU!! PS--Why doesn't Ms. Rice write more novels like this??? Books like Pandora and Servant of the Bones bore me to tears, but this jewel of a book is absolutely spellbinding!!!
Rating: Summary: Mummy Love Review: I want to make it plain that I DO like Anne Rice. I don't need enraged torch and pitchfork carriers to seek me out in order to avenge any perceived slights to the Dark Mistress of Gothic Horror. I really do like Anne Rice, okay.That said, I must point out that I said "like" not love. I enjoyed "The Witching Hour" but the darkness of the Vampire novels made them heavy going. I did manage to get through...oh, two thirds of "Interview" before it just got too darned depressing. My problem with The Divine Ms. R. stems from my inability to derive all that much entertainment from reading about anti heroes having sex with children. That's why, it was with some trepidation that I picked up "The Mummy, or Ramses The Damned". I LOVE the whole, turn of the century, dashing Egyptologist, Pith Helmet and Papyrus vibe, so I knew that it would be good. I just feared that the dark studies in moral ambiguity stuff would intrude overmuch and cast too dark a pall for unalloyed enjoyment. Boy was I wrong! The Mummy is a sparkler! Romantic but not cloying, it presents a sunny world peopled with likeable, engaging main characters. There IS darkness, but darkness doesn't rule. Our heroine, Miss Julie Stratford, is courageous, noble, and rich enough to afford to be both. Ramses is dashing, good natured, semi barbaric and completely likeable in his innocent self assurance. He is as real as idealized fantasy can get. (NOTE TO HOLLYWOOD: Brendan Fraser for the lead. He's got the innocent-but-totally-aware thing down pat) Anne's reflections on life, death and the nature of immortality are, as always, sensibly put and intriguing. You'd have to be heartless not to cheer when old Lord Rutherford defies the vicious cruelty of age and infirmity, throws away his stick and once again looks on his world with all the clarity of a twenty year old. It should happen to all of us. This glittering story deserves a sequel. The adventures of all of these newly minted immortals would be fascinating. My only fear is that rather than maintaining the frothy pleasure of the original we would be condemned to seeing once likeable characters become dissolute and cynical, and if I know my Anne Rice novels, sure as shooting somebody would end up having sex with a child.
Rating: Summary: I love this book. Review: Ramses takes my breath away. I don't know how many times I've already read this book and each time I get swept away in the character of Ramses. And I agree with those people who thought it would make a good movie. Many times I have flashed back in my mind to Ramses picking up the dove in the street and giving it elixer, and thought that it was from a movie, only to realize it was my own mental image from a book. I do love it.
Rating: Summary: I finally threw it away before finishing Review: This was the most plodding, cookie cut, predictable book I have ever read. In fact,it is the first time I have ever thrown a book away before finishing. I made a valiant effort - read about 75% of it, but then just pitched it. I feel as if this book were written just to cash in on her name. There was little effort and research. The plot was dull and purposeless. I wish I had not wasted my money.
Rating: Summary: A Wonderful Shimmering Read Review: Poetic, sensual and wonderfully atmospheric, I loved this, my first Anne Rice novel. Ancient Egypt is still a fascinating subject for many, and in some cases any book that has a mummy or pyramid on its cover will sell but let you down. This fabulous novel won't. It is a gorgeous read that captures the flavour of the Edwardian period perfectly. Read and enjoy! But boy, does this novel cry out for a sequel...
Rating: Summary: Didn't buy it! Review: Although I found parts of the book held my attention there were contradictions and inconsistences. A great part of it reads like a Harlequin Romance novel. I didn't buy for a second that a powerful, charismatic character as Ramses could possible be interested in a simpering, clinging, crying, snivelling Julie. Same holds true for Cleopatra's interest in Alex. Come on! Give us some strong characters for the hero and heroine!
Rating: Summary: More Romance Than Horror Review: This book is really something of a romance novel -- it is definitely not horror. An amusing tale that shows Rice's writing at it's best and most sensual, the story is set in Egypt and centers around a man (the mummy) who has tasted the elixir of life -- a draught which although making one immortal, dooms one to perennial frustration, as one's desires can never be sated. As an adventure and romance book, it is excellent, but do not be fooled by the title -- there is nothing here that is really dark or unpleasant, but it still makes for a wonderful way to kill a weekend.
Rating: Summary: Read this Anne Rice book first! Review: I love so many of Anne Rice's mythologies. I recommend her to any and everyone who is interested in historical fiction, with a hint of mystery and monsters. If you're debating about picking up an Anne Rice book, start with this one. It's an independent, so you won't feel like you needed to read one of the Vampire or Witch series books. It does give you a fabulous sample of her literary magic. You've heard about Egypt, mummies, archaeology... now delve deep into this mystic story, which seamlessly combines history and fiction. It will have you wanting more--guaranteed!
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