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Rating: 
Summary: Must read for Egypt fans
Review: I absolutely love this book and the other two parts of the trilogy. It is full of details and the historical characters are described in a way that we feel as if we knew them in real life. Gedge is one of the few authors who actually do some research on the topic they're writing a novel about, and she needs credit for this, it's a pity that other authors don't follow her example. She is true to the real historical events and alters only minor things to add a twist to the story (like the historical Tani was the sister of Apophis and I'm not sure if Siamun really existed) but these things do no harm to history and just make the story better.
Rating: 
Summary: Mainly a setup for the next book
Review: In the Hippopotamus Marsh, Pauline Gedge develops an interesting perspective for the once-rulers of Egypt, the Taos. In this book, they are passing life away as a minor ruling family of the Weset province in mid-Egypt. Their forefathers succumbed to the Hyksos, invaders from the east that have become Egypt's present pharaohs. The Hippopotamus Marsh tells the story of how the Taos come out of their physically comfortable, but psychologically stressed servitude to the Hyksos.The story is told exclusively from the point of the view of the Tao family members, and the family dynamics are interesting and complex. The Weset area and its surroundings are described in beautiful detail. Unfortunately, Gedge says nothing about how anyone else in Egypt at that time lived or thought. She never lets us enter the minds of the many servants that wait on the Taos, and we almost never meet any of the peasants that support their moderate wealth. The presentation of the Tao family is surrealistically loving and kind, being completely at odds with common modern views of rulers of this time period in Egypt. Gedge is clearly trying to fix this new point of view, and there is real interest in her reorienting our perceptions and assumptions. Gedge's presentation is not supported by anything factual, however, and the lack of viewpoint from those supporting the family--the servants and peasants--makes her postulate tenuous. Even so, Gedge makes the Taos and middle Egypt into interesting historical fiction. The main problem with this book is that it goes nowhere except as a setup for the next book. Still, it's a good read, and hopefully the next book will continue on a good start.
Rating:
Summary: Welcome to Historical Egypt
Review: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THREE BOOKS BEFORE YOU BEGIN!! If you love historical fiction with its intrigues, plots, regal characters, and faraway times, get ready for a fabulous reading experience. And if Egyptian history is your thing, you'll be pleased with this investment. This is the first book I have read by Pauline Gedge, and what a find. It certainly will not be the last. She has a wonderfully fluid writing style and the ability to breath life into her characters. You can't help but feel the intensity of their convictions. Very entertaining and fast-paced. I have no need to retell the story...just make the time and soar into ancient times.
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