Rating: 
Summary: Integrating History
Review: Mara daughter of the Nile was an exciting book. In the Beginning Mara is sold to Sheftu a nobleman. Later in the book Mara meets the Canaanite princess Inanni in Thebes. Hatshepsut, the pharaoh at that time was being unfair, and keeping the throne even after her regent duties were over. Now, Mara Sheftu, And Thutmose III want to take back what is rightfully theirs. On the way of getting back the throne they needed a little bit of money. If you read this book you will be amazed and it will take you back to the times of excitement. It will blow you away.
Robert and John
Rating:
Summary: A...C L A S S I C...T H A T..S H O U L D..B E..F I L M E D !
Review: I first found this book as a sixth-grader, in the library of the elementary school which I attended. I guess I found it
because I was looking for a book on "Princess Margaret", (which the school library did not have), and, at that age, was not too
familiar with the Dewey Decimal System.
However I found that book, I am certainly glad I did! It is a true classic, and deserves to be better known! I am glad I am not the only one who wants to get this book into the hands of
Steven Spielberg!
Every time I watch "All My Children", I think how PERFECT
the actresses who play "Bianca" and "Kendall" would be, as
"Mara" and "Hatshepsut"! (Oh, if only David Selby were just
a little younger.....he'd make a PERFECT "Lord Seftu"!)
Every character in this book is so true to life! The
story is, (as the flap of the hardcover edition which I
finally bought, over 20 years ago, said), "broght to life
with photographic detail."
"Mara" is a love story, an adventure story, a story of
palace intrigue, a slice of true history, a story with twists
and turns and excitement. Every character in it is brought
to life in "high relief", (I think that was on the flap of
the hardcover edition as well). Everything one could want
in a book is in this novel. Along with just about everyone
else who has read it, I wanted it never to end....
A great thing about this book is that, even as a slave,
Mara never loses her sense of herself as a person. That is
one lesson we present-day "wage-slaves" should take to heart!
But even more importantly -- especially in this post-
9/11 world -- is the true moral of this story. Yes, it is
a love story, an adventure story, a story of heroism and
bravery and excitement. But it is, above all, a story about
PATRIOTISM -- what it really is, and what it really means.
As Mara realizes at the end, (I paraphrase): "...Egypt is
not the Nile. Egypt is not the Pharaoh. Egypt is US -- all
the people who live here."
This literary classic is more important than ever!
It NEEDS to be better-known, to be filmed, to be read by
even more people. Especially now, as we all suffer, in greater or lesser degree, from "post 9/11 shock". We who have read this
book know it to be a true treasure...our own secret treasure,
nestled in our minds as surely as Mara's scarab and ring were nestled in the folds of her garments! All too
selfishly, perhaps, many of us, (myself included), have
wanted to keep knowledge of this secret treasure of a book to
ourselves. But Mara herself was quite selfish at the begin-
ing of the book -- even though in her case, it was a self-
protection device, and so, forgivingly understandable. But
the rest of the world NEEDS this book -- especially now! (I
begin to wonder how even Osama Bin Laden would react to it
...written as it is by a Westerner who so achingly understands
the Middle East -- and even more, the Human psyche of ALL peo-
ple -- and their wish to be free. In Mara's case, the wish
to be free of slavery. In our case, the wish to be free of
terrorism. One can only speculate how far the myriad and
wonderful messages of this book -- the real meaning of
Patriotism being the primary message -- could go, if only
it were better known!
This book is still in print after more than 30 years!
This alone attests to its status as a classic. It is a
perfect book in so many ways!
Is Eloise Jarvis McGraw still alive? If not -- do
her heirs have the film rights to this book? (I repeat,
as do so many others -- somebody who has the authority:
PLEASE get this book to Steven Spielberg!) Ms. Jarvis
McGraw is an exquisitely gifted writer. I have also
read her novel for adults, "PHARAOH", another take on
the Hatsepsut story. It is a much longer book -- and
has much magic to it as well. But it is not as good as
MARA. For only "Mara, Daughter of the Nile" has Mara,
Lord Sheftu, Innani, Nekonka, and all the other, unfor-
gettable characters unique to this novel.
Patriotism -- and unselfishness too -- are things
we all need to have. Especially now! MARA, DAUGHTER
OF THE NILE teaches these and other lessons in an ex-
quisite, love-and-adventure story format! It rings
true in every word! It rings true in every character!
It is a story for all time. Read this book! And,
hopefully, some day very soon -- see the movie, too!
Rating:
Summary: Not just for teens.
Review: I first picked up this book when I was in grade school. I found myself reading it over and over again through the years. When my son left for the Navy, he bought this for me. As a grandmother now, I can't wait to pass it on to my granddaughters when they are old enough. At 10, this book began my fascination with Egypt, both in non-fiction and fiction.
Rating:
Summary: One word - Wonderful!
Review: I have never been one who loves to read, but I could not put this book down. It was Wonderful! Sheftu was such an amazing character, if you did not like the book itself, you have to love it because of Sheftu! He is mysterious, romantic, and just plain loveable! Go to the closest book store now, and buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: I loved this book and "Shadow Castle" by Marilyn Cockrell when I was young. I would check out Mara all the time at the school library, and finally, I ended up "forgetting" to return it. That was 35 years ago, so the guilt has passed. These two books were ones that inspired me to be a writer and I was especially thrilled when I found out that Eloise McGraw lived in Oregon. She came to one of our romance writers meetings over 12 years ago. I bought two copies of her book and got them autographed. Eloise was delightful to talk to, and I told her how much the book meant to me. She said she's written so many other books for children, many that have won awards, but Mara is the one most women want to talk about. She kind of dismissed it as a young girl's romance novel. She did seem happy to find out just how many women in the audience were fans of the book. I'm so glad I had a chance to tell her what her work meant to me. She passed away shortly after she spoke to our group.
It is obvious that truly good writing stands the test of time.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: I read this book a couple of years ago and still it sticks in my memory as if I had read it yesterday. It is THAT memorable.
The characters are excellent and so realisitic and interesting that I want meet them in real life. I LOVE Mara's courage, cunning, and the common sense to fall in love with Sheftu. I'm half in love with Sheftu himself. Mara and Sheftu are just one of the most perfect couples in the fictional world. To learn about their relationship--the dangerous, exciting and mesmerizing way they met and interacted--is enough reason to read this book. But of course there's more....
The plot is fast-paced, engaging, and I could not put the book down until it was early morning. At the same time, I wanted to stop reading because I knew that I would leave their world when i finish reading. I truly envy those of you who have yet to read this book and delve into the wonderful mysteries of it...
I just love this book so much so much so much so much. I can rave about it, describe in excruciating detail how much I love it, but I'm afraid I don't have time. Suffice to say that the hours you spend on this book will be valued and treasured. Look around at all the other reviews...everyone gave it five stars. This is one of the rare books out there that inspires those five stars and enthusiastic reviews. I LOVE THIS BOOK FOREVER!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book For Teenagers and also Adults
Review: I read this book when I was about 13 and loved it. This was my absolute all time favorite book as a kid. I still actually love it. It is also a painless way to learn a lot
about ancient Egypt. Although written mainly for teenagers, I think adults would also like it.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: I usually don't buy books unless 1.It's part of a series I like. 2.It's by an author I like. 3.I had borrowed it and loved it. This one wasn't any of those, but when I was browsing through the teen section of the bookstore I saw this one and remembered that it was on the "if you like this, you'll like.." list here for a book I had liked, The Reluctant God. I read the first chapter right there at the bookstore and was hooked. Just today I finished it, reading for 2 hours straight because I had to find out what was going to happen!This I loved this book!! Of course, the story is very captivating. Spys, romance, an Ancient Egyptian setting, what more could you want? Mara was awesome! I loved her strong, clever personality. (I always like those types of girl characters, or else the tomboy type) And Sheftu! I want my own Sheftu!! There's also other interesting and endearing characters, but I can't write about them all. There is a lot of beautiful descriptions, but I confess I would catch myself unknowingly skimming over those parts, because I was so anxious to find out what would happen next! It doesn't matter though, when I read it again (for I know I will, many times!) I can go slower and catch all those parts. This is a must-read for anyone who has an interest in Ancient Egypt. Also, if you like a good spy/romance book, you'll love this!
Rating: 
Summary: This Book STINKS
Review: I was assigned to read this book for 8th grade summer reading. I cannot begin to tell you how boring it was and how dumb and stupid the storyline was. It used to many annoying egyptian phrases and words that readers could NOT understand, and it made the reader want to go to sleep. do NOT read this book PLEASE!!!
Rating: 
Summary: An Interesting Read
Review: Mara is a combination spy thriller, historical fiction, and romance novel which appears to be aimed at an audience consisting mainly of teen girls. I enjoyed the book and found it not too offensive to read to my 9-year-old daughter. The plot moves right along, contains many interesting details of day-to-day life, offers interesting characters and situations. My favorite character was the Caananite princess. The author is talented with words and writes smoothly. Mara herself seems a bit unbelievable around the edges, however. Having had a former master who was a scribe, Mara can read hieroglyphics fluently. This seems unlikely in the extreme, given the difficulty of this form of written communication. I'm guessing this knowledge was intended to make her seem a more acceptable heroine to modern audiences, but it was unnecessary. It's a little (but only a little) more believable that she can speak a second language fluently. This factor is, however, more essential to the story than the literacy bit. I don't object to a bit of romance in a teen story, but in this case, I didn't like the way it was presented. There was no sex and very little sexual inuendo, however the romantic hero was the classic dark, dangerous type, and though his abuses were committed in the name of a greater good, I don't think this particular romance gives girls a reasonable picture of what a desirable young man should look like. Given these factors, I wonder how much research went into presenting the daily details of Egyptian life? I know very little about the subject myself, so it's difficult to judge. Though we enjoyed the book, I don't believe I'd buy it again. If the above doesn't trouble you, Mara is a good choice and will be an enjoyable read.
|
