Rating: 
Summary: WOW!!!
Review: Ok, I reviewed this back on Dec. 20th when I was 1/4 of the way through. Now that I'm done I'd like to say that this is the greatest story that I have ever or probably ever will read. I won't reveal much, but I will tell you that it is about an Egyptian physcian who is exiled and he writes his life story in which he describes his dealings with the Pharaohs and foreign kings, and there is lots of murder, adventure, sex, pondering, religion, politics, drama, humor. This book really is just about life in general, it makes you think. Give it a try!!
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Summary: This is the best!!!!
Review: I find that this book has been the center of all my conversations lately, and I am only just over 1/4 of the way through this! The opening chapter which consists of 8 paragraphs is the best opening ever, "I, sinuhe, the son of ...write this. I do not write it to the glory of the gods in the land of Kem, for I am weary of the gods, nor to the glory of the Pharaohs...For my own sake I write this; and herein I differ from all other writers, past and to come." It is obvious that the author took alot of time and care to study ancient Egypt in order to understand the surroundings, the culture, history, etc. And I can't believe that this was written in the 40's...it sounds even ahead of our time! Also as a translator I want to say that this was written in Finnish, but one cannot tell, the translation is remarkable!! The whole world should read this masterpiece!
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Summary: Love at first read
Review: I read this book 40 plus years ago and loved it. Though I don't recall much of it, I do remember the warm, glowing, comfortable feeling I had while absorbed in it. If you like historical novels, this is one for you.
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Summary: A thoughtful and accurate historical novel
Review: "The Egyptian" came about as a result of Mika Waltari's experiences during WWII. Published in Finland in 1945, this book is truly a commentary about the terrible social upheavals experienced by Europe during the war years. The abomination of war, the waning belief in religion, and the unravelling of society are some of the themes that resonate from ancient Egypt to mid-20th Century Europe. This historical tie notwithstanding, the real beauty of this book lies in the way Waltari uses small details to transport the reader to a bygone era. The period that starts with rise of Amehnotep IV (later Akhenaten) and concludes with reign of the great general Horemheb is one of the most compelling chapters of Egyptian history, and this book succeeds in making it into a gripping tale of idealism, stupidity, courage, and politics. It is truly amazing to see the historical figures fulfill their appointed roles, acting before the background of the first monotheistic religion (doomed to fail through good intentions), a war of conquest, political manipulations, love and loss, and ultimately, fate. In the best tradition of Waltari, the male characters are richly three-dimensional, with moments of courage and moments of cowardice, with hints of idealism and hints of opportunism, and above all, with human frailties. Truly a delightful read, even if it forces the reader to ponder issues well beyond the action that takes place on the written page.
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Summary: Still one of the best
Review: As I dimly recall, when this novel first appeared in English (1949) it was widely condemned as obscene--too much flesh, pressed much too tightly. Of course there's nothing in it now that would rattle your grandmother. Returning to it after many years away, I'm impressed once more by Waltari's instinct for what makes a readable tale. Everything is in perfect balance--the pace, the period trappings, the dry humor, the uninterrupted sense of adventure. Naomi Walford's stylish translation is as fresh as it was a half-century ago. I'm grateful to Buccaneer for keeping this splendid novel in print, and I'd be doubly grateful for a nice cheap paperback. -- C. B. Rykken ...
Rating:
Summary: Quite a NOVEL
Review: In addition to all the great things already said about the Egyptian (the story, the historical re-creation etc..), I would like to add that it is narrated in such simple and limpid style, poetic and musical at times, that I thoroughly enjoyed the way the book was written. Considering that I only read a translated version of the book... what an achievement the book must have been in Finnish!
Rating:
Summary: It's a great story
Review: The Egyptian is probably the best book I've ever read. It's so interesting and believable, it doesn't feel like fiction at all. The only thing I don't like in this book is its translation. Altough it isn't so bad, the original Finnish version is much better. I'd definately give this book 6 stars if that'd be possible.
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Summary: great historical and life description book
Review: Definetely very interesting. The author takes you into a journey of the best things in the ancient ligfe and the scum of societey. I would describe the highlights as the moments when he makes you think about life per se thinking a bou a ajourney that can provide the best of all worlds. History and the pharaohs are present.... Egypt will always be a mistery. It is interesting indeed to recall that milleniums before people were struggling about the same things we do nowadays, gods permanency, people power, conquest, mopney... family , feelings, love, life and death.......
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece.
Review: I join the list of reviewers who read this book when they were very young. I was 13, in love with Ancient Egypt and though the librarian was not sure at all that I should read it (it was 1961, a very different era than the present one)I believe I devoured it in less than a week. Waltari has given us a sensitive portrait of the human condition. His scholarship is meticulous - his evocation of the time in which the book unfolds is haunting and believable. I note one review above which takes exception to the chronology of the late 18th dynasty as Waltari has presented it. Current scholarly opinion would probably fault Waltari, but one must not apply modern opinion to a book that was written in 1945. The book is fiction after all. Look for scholarly opinion in scholarly journals. You will find that there are as many allegations as allegators! *grin* This is one of the best works of fiction that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
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Summary: Astonishingly Detailed Recreation of the Ancient World
Review: While impressed with how skillfully and casually Waltari draws upon an astonishing number of details about daily life in ancient times, I at first wondered if this book was going anywhere or had anything worthwhile to say. As the protagonist returns to Egypt from his journeys and finds himself caught up in a battle between the supporters of the gods Aton and Ammon, I realized this is that rare book that works on many levels - it's an adventure, a love story, a story of political intrigue and religious faith. Its overarching theme is the constant conflict, both in society and in the soul of the protagonist, the physician Sinuhe, between naïve idealism and cynical pragmatism. My only complaint is that, even while the book feels incredibly accurate, Waltari goes beyond merely filling in the major historical facts with fictions of his own; rather, in many instances he contradicts them. For instance, in the novel Akhnaton is immediately succeeded by Tutankhamun because the heir apparent, Sekhenre, is murdered. In fact, after Akhnaton's death, Nefertiti and Smenkhkare ruled for several years before Tutankhamun ascended to the throne. Another example is how in the novel Horemheb's army defeats the Israelites and destroys their Arc of the Covenant, even though historical sources suggest it was still around when the Romans sacked the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 a.d. But those minor issues aside, this book is entertaining, informative, and thought-provoking.
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