In Dreamers of the Day, readers are transported to post-World War I Egypt through the eyes of Agnes Shanklin, a Cleveland schoolteacher who becomes the sole survivor of the 1918 influenza epidemic. As Agnes embarks on a journey to Egypt with her dachshund, Rosie, she finds herself entangled in the political landscape of the Cairo Peace Conference, where she encounters historical figures like T.E. Lawrence and Winston Churchill. The narrative weaves together historical events, personal growth, and the enigmatic personas of key figures, creating an engaging story that explores themes of self-discovery and influence in a tumultuous period of history.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Agnes serving as a relatable protagonist and historical figures providing depth to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines engaging characterization with rich historical detail, making the narrative both informative and entertaining.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Agnes Shanklin as she navigates personal loss and self-discovery during her journey to Egypt, where she encounters pivotal historical figures and events.

Setting:

The setting effectively contrasts the ordinary with the historical significance of early 20th-century Egypt.

Pacing:

Pacing varies throughout, with early sections being well-paced while the middle and conclusion can feel rushed or uneven.

You must try to feel the hope and amazement of those years. Anything seemed possible—the end of ignorance, the end of disease, the end of poverty. Physics and chemistry, medicine and engineering were ...

Notes:

The book is set during the Cairo Peace Conference of 1921.

The protagonist, Agnes Shanklin, is a middle-aged spinster schoolteacher from Ohio.

Agnes inherits her family wealth after they die from the influenza epidemic of 1918.

The novel explores themes of personal growth, war, and colonialism.

Historical figures such as Winston Churchill and Lawrence of Arabia make appearances in the story.

Agnes travels to Egypt with her dachshund named Rosie, who plays a significant role in the story.

The aftermath of World War I and the creation of modern Middle Eastern countries are central themes.

Critics noted the contrast between the story's historical setting and modern political commentary.

Some readers felt that the ending was contrived and detracted from the narrative's overall quality.

The narrative style includes Agnes recounting her story from the afterlife.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate level of romance that complements the main narrative without overshadowing it.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

A schoolteacher still reeling from the tragedies of the Great War and the influenza epidemic travels to the Middle East in this memorable and passionate novel

"Marvelous . . . a stirring story of personal awakening set against the background of a crucial moment in modern history."-The Washington Post

Agnes Shanklin, a forty-year-old schoolteacher from Ohio, has come into a modest inheritance that allows her to take the trip of a lifetime to Egypt and the Holy Land. Arriving at the Semiramis Hotel just as the 1921 Cairo Peace Conference convenes, she is freed for the first time from her mother's withering influence and finds herself being wooed by a handsome, mysterious German.

At the same time, Agnes-with her plainspoken American opinions-is drawn into the company of Winston Churchill, T. E. Lawrence, and Lady Gertrude Bell, who will, in the space of a few days, redraw the world map to create the modern Middle East. As they change history, Agnes too will find her own life transformed forever.

With prose as graceful and effortless as a seductive float down the Nile, Mary Doria Russell illuminates the long, rich history of the Middle East with a story that brilliantly elucidates today's headlines.

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About the Author:

Mary Doria Russell has been called one of the most versatile writers in contemporary American literature. Widely praised for her meticulous research, fine prose, and compelling narrative drive, she is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The…

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Dreamers of the Day

Mary Doria Russell