'Child of the Morning' by Pauline Gedge is a historical fiction novel that vividly brings to life the story of Queen Pharaoh Hatshepsut, the only woman to ever reign as Pharaoh of Egypt. Set in the 15th century BC, the book portrays Hatshepsut's journey from being trained to rule Egypt by her father to her struggles against her brother's attempts to take the throne from her. The author's writing style immerses the reader in the ancient Egyptian culture, painting a detailed picture of the time period with descriptions that evoke the sights and scents of the era.
The novel combines fiction with historical facts, showcasing Hatshepsut as a strong and tenacious woman who defied societal norms to rule Egypt for twenty years. The plot delves into the power struggles within the royal family, the political maneuvering to maintain control, and the challenges Hatshepsut faced during her reign, including threats from her nephew and the need to balance her personal desires with her responsibilities as Pharaoh. Despite some discrepancies with historical accuracy, the book captivates readers with its portrayal of an enigmatic historical figure and the ancient world she inhabited.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include themes of political intrigue, familial conflict, and elements of war or violence, reflective of the historical context.
Has Romance?
There are romantic elements in the story, particularly concerning Hatshepsut's relationship with Senmut, though it does not dominate the narrative.
From The Publisher:
Thirty-five centuries ago the sun had a daughter: Hatshepsut. Youngest daughter of the Pharaoh, she was a lithe and magical child. But when her older sister died, it became her duty to purify the dynasty's bloodline. She was to wed Thothmes, her father's illegitimate son, who was heir to the throne. But fearing his son's incompetence, Hatshepsut's father came to her with startling news. She was to be Pharaoh, ruler of the greatest empire the world had ever known-provided, of course, that the unprecedented ascension by a woman did not inspire the priests to treason or instill in her half-brother and future consort sufficient hatred to have her put to death.
This is the premise for Child of the Morning, based closely on the historical facts. Hatshepsut assumed the throne at the age of fifteen and ruled brilliantly for more than two decades. Her achievements were immortalized on the walls of her magnificent temple at Deir el-Bahri, built by her architect and lover, Senmut.
Sensuous and evocative, Child of the Morning is the story of one of history's most remarkable women.
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