'Ancient Evenings' by Norman Mailer is a novel that delves into the magical perspective of the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt. The book follows the story of Menenhetet Two, who meets his great grandfather, Menenhetet One, in the afterlife. Through Menenhetet One's recounting of his previous lives, the readers are taken on a journey through royal charioteering, guarding concubines, and the mystical world of ancient Egypt. The narrative is rich in historical details, complex characters, and a unique outlook on life that sets it apart from typical historical novels.
Norman Mailer's writing style in 'Ancient Evenings' is described as immersive and detailed, providing readers with a rich sensory experience of ancient Egypt. The novel combines historical accuracy with elements of speculative fiction, creating a world that feels both foreign and genuine. Mailer's ability to weave intricate narratives, explore abstract themes, and maintain a sense of mystery throughout the story adds depth and complexity to the novel, making it a compelling read for those interested in ancient Egyptian history and mythology.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Due to its explicit sexual content, depictions of violence, and psychological complexities, the book carries significant content warnings.
Has Romance?
There are romantic and sexual themes present, though they can be of varying quality and depth throughout the narrative.
From The Publisher:
Norman Mailer's dazzlingly rich, deeply evocative novel of ancient Egypt breathes life into the figures of a lost era: the eighteenth-dynasty Pharaoh Rameses and his wife, Queen Nefertiti; Menenhetet, their creature, lover, and victim; and the gods and mortals that surround them in intimate and telepathic communion. Mailer's reincarnated protagonist is carried through the exquisite gardens of the royal harem, along the majestic flow of the Nile, and into the terrifying clash of battle. An extraordinary work of inventiveness, Ancient Evenings lives on in the mind long after the last page has been turned.
Praise for Ancient Evenings
"Astounding, beautifully written . . . a leap of imagination that crosses three millennia to Pharaonic Egypt."-USA Today
"Mailer makes a miraculous present out of age-deep memories, bringing to life the rhythms, the images, the sensuousness of a lost time."-The New York Times
"Mailer's Egypt is a haunting and magical place. . . . The reader wallows in the scope, depth, the sheer magnitude and-yes-the fertility of his imagination."-The Washington Post Book World
"An enormous pyramid of a novel [reminiscent of] Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow and Carlos Fuentes's Terra Nostra."-Los Angeles Herald Examiner
Praise for Norman Mailer
"[Norman Mailer] loomed over American letters longer and larger than any other writer of his generation."-The New York Times
"A writer of the greatest and most reckless talent."-The New Yorker
"Mailer is indispensable, an American treasure."-The Washington Post
"A devastatingly alive and original creative mind."-Life
"Mailer is fierce, courageous, and reckless and nearly everything he writes has sections of headlong brilliance."-The New York Review of Books
"The largest mind and imagination [in modern] American literature . . . Unlike just about every American writer since Henry James, Mailer has managed to grow and become richer in wisdom with each new book."-Chicago Tribune
"Mailer is a master of his craft. His language carries you through the story like a leaf on a stream."-The Cincinnati Post
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Ancient Evenings?
About the Author:
Born in 1923 in Long Branch, New Jersey, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Norman Mailer was one of the most influential writers of the second half of the twentieth century and a leading public intellectual for nearly sixty years….
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