Casting The Gods Adrift: A Tale Of Ancient Egypt

Casting the Gods Adrift: A Tale of Ancient Egypt

From School Library JournalGrade 4-6-The most famous image of Nefertiti is a carved bust attributed to the sculptor Tutmose. This is the story of the artist as a child, son of Harkhuf the animal dealer. Tutmose and his brother, Ibrim, who is blind, go to live with the pharaoh Akhenaten, and Harkhuf receives honors such as being made a "Man of Gold." The boys love their new life; Tutmose studies sculpture and Ibrim learns to play the harp. But Harkhuf is a devout follower of the old gods, and Akhenaten has declared Aten, the Sun God, as the only true god. Tutmose is torn between his father's beliefs and those of the pharaoh. He is finally convinced that the pharaoh is right, and becomes a devotee of Aten. His father, however, turns fanatical and decides that Akhenaten must be destroyed, insisting that Tutmose help him. McCaughrean has told a fine story, and though the themes and vocabulary may be advanced for the intended audience, readers will most likely just enjoy the story. The characters are lively, and the plot moves nicely. Budding Egyptologists will savor this title with its historical references and detailed backdrop.Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Hillsboro, ORCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.When Akhenaten, Egypt's new pharaoh, decrees that only one god shall be worshipped from now on, life is thrown into chaos for Tutmose, the young son of a dealer in rare animals meant for the temples of the traditional gods. Tutmose's happiness at living at the pharoah?s court is darkened when his father, maddened by the pharaoh's rejection of the gods, plots a deadly revenge. Back matter suggests further reading.From BooklistGr. 5-8. As their reed boat sinks into the Nile and hungry crocodiles approach, narrator Tutmose, his brother Ibrim, and father Harkhuf are rescued by the pharaoh, Akhenaten. Akhenaten insists that the boys become royal apprentices and bestows honors on Harkhuf. The boys thrive in the royal setting, but Harkhuf continues to worship the traditional gods rather than the pharaoh's single god, Aten. When Harkhuf conspires to kill the pharaoh to restore traditional religion, Tutmose must choose between his father and his pharaoh. The frightening first chapter inserts the reader right into the adventure, and establishes the vivid, well-drawn setting. Graceful black-and-white sketches elucidate the narrative and engage the reader. Maps are embedded on the title page in the text but a glossary and annotated list of further readings are appended. Packed with intrigue and burnished by the lure of antiquity, this slender, suspenseful novel is also an excellent resource for ancient civilizations studies. Linda PerkinsCopyright