adorable

fremragende bog ( )

The Egyptian is structured as a the first person account of the life of Sinuhe, and through this account the story of a short-lived episode in Egyptian history of a change in religious belief. I first read this book as a much younger man, some 40 years ago. I am now much closer to Sinuhe's age at the time the account was written, and have re-read the novel with as much pleasure and greater appreciation. It is neither a pretty nor a nice story, but it is a great story about how a life is lived in a time of change, how decisions can be made for the best or worst reasons and how difficult it is to imagine all of the personal and broader implications. Reading this novel in my relative youth has certainly informed my life and my own decisions. However I am hopeful my approaching age will be somewhat more edifying than poor Sinuhe endured. I highly recommend The Egyptian l to anyone interested in a thoughtful novel, placed in a context remote enough to be only as challenging as you allow. The novel is well written, I enjoyed the language as well as the themes. ( )

"Dere er bare fluesurr i mine ører!"

Språket i boka er strålende, og fortellingen likeså. Les, les! ( )

If I were to name the best novel ever, this is it. With epic sweep, philosophy, humor, and good writing, it is based on sound research, later validated down to Waltari's intelligent guesses. Sinuhe, a doctor during the regimes of Amenhotep III, Ekhnaton, and Horemheb becomes an eyewitness to how ideologies and religion affect a proud nation and its people. The Israelites are never mentioned, yet "Vanity, it is all vanity" is an unwritten theme. The common people endure it all and continue living. The book was written in the aftermath of World War II, so deeply felt questions about life and death and the meaning of it all echo in the work. Even better in the original Finnish, a national treasure. ( )