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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Oh my God.! I loved this book. It reminded me of the movie: The Mummy. How Evelyn goes all the way to the Egyptian desert as an archaeologist to assist her father and Howard. From the very start, I had a good feeling about the book.
The whole setting around Egyptian tombs in the desert (although it's not that much focused on in the book), made me add visiting at least one such tomb to my bucket list. When in November of 1922, Evelyn and her father finally discover the tomb of Tutankhamun, along with the gold and priceless jewels, they are suddenly under a lot of limelight from the villagers nearby and the journalist. After the dig, there's a mysterious illness lingering and affecting so many. People along with the newspaper, later on, declares that the tomb has a curse (calling it 'The curse of Tutankhamun'). And whosoever disrupts the peace of the spirits of the tomb, will be cursed with untreatable illness.
The story takes place in 2 different timelines: the past (1922) and the present (1970s). Evelyn after having another bad stroke is in a bad condition with her speech impairment during the 1970s, when Dr.Ana visits her in the rehabilitation center to interview her about her dig in the 20s. The interview goes well, except Evelyn doesn't know if she should trust Ana, and tell her everything.
Though the book is based on the event surrounding the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, it isn't entirely based on it. The story revolves around the events after the discovery. How it affected Evelyn and the ones involved in the dig, and how their life changed after it. The superstitious beliefs, and how much fear can be ingested in the society during that time (and somewhat even now), are aptly described.
I loved Gill's narrative style and really enjoyed this adventurous, and fascinating story.
Full review: https://divyakaushik1010.wixsite.com/areadersalley/post/the-collector-s-daughter
The whole setting around Egyptian tombs in the desert (although it's not that much focused on in the book), made me add visiting at least one such tomb to my bucket list. When in November of 1922, Evelyn and her father finally discover the tomb of Tutankhamun, along with the gold and priceless jewels, they are suddenly under a lot of limelight from the villagers nearby and the journalist. After the dig, there's a mysterious illness lingering and affecting so many. People along with the newspaper, later on, declares that the tomb has a curse (calling it 'The curse of Tutankhamun'). And whosoever disrupts the peace of the spirits of the tomb, will be cursed with untreatable illness.
The story takes place in 2 different timelines: the past (1922) and the present (1970s). Evelyn after having another bad stroke is in a bad condition with her speech impairment during the 1970s, when Dr.Ana visits her in the rehabilitation center to interview her about her dig in the 20s. The interview goes well, except Evelyn doesn't know if she should trust Ana, and tell her everything.
Though the book is based on the event surrounding the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, it isn't entirely based on it. The story revolves around the events after the discovery. How it affected Evelyn and the ones involved in the dig, and how their life changed after it. The superstitious beliefs, and how much fear can be ingested in the society during that time (and somewhat even now), are aptly described.
I loved Gill's narrative style and really enjoyed this adventurous, and fascinating story.
Full review: https://divyakaushik1010.wixsite.com/areadersalley/post/the-collector-s-daughter
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Lady Evelyn Herbert is the daughter of the earl of Carnarvon who finances Howard Carter’s expedition to find the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt. Eve who wants to become a lady archeologist herself can’t believe her eyes when she’s one of the first people to enter the burial chamber. But after the unique discovery, things start to go wrong with the people she loves and there’s talk of an ancient curse. Decades later, Eve is struggling with the aftermath of another stroke when Ana Mansour starts asking questions about missing artefacts from the tomb. Only Eve can still tell the tale, or will she take her secrets with her to the grave?
Gill Paul is an author I’ve meant to read a long time ago. She often writes a two perspective novel with one the characters being from royal blood. Her newest novel ‘The collector’s daughter‘ is different in that regard. There’s only one female perspective, although we meet her at two certain points in her life, and she has noble but no royal ancestors.
The discovery of Tutankhamun has always fascinated me so I did know who Evelyn Herbert was. The book opens with Eve waking up in the hospital after a stroke with her loyal husband Brograve Beauchamp besides her. We learn that Eve has had a car accident some time ago since when she suffers from strokes that sometimes take away her speech, but also parts of her memories. This time she does recall the distant past as if it was yesterday and her mind takes her back to the 1920’s in Egypt and the balls in Engeland where she met Brograve after WOI.
Highclere castle, the real Downton Abbey, also features in the story. We meet Eve’s complex family from the earl who dotes on his daughter, her lively but spendthrift mother Almina and her brother Porchy, the future earl of Carnarvon.
I did enjoy this novel, but it’s a light read. There’s a heavy focus on Eve’s health and her revalidation, leaving not enough space in my opinion for the historical perspective. I loved traveling back to Egypt, but the storyline became a bit shallow at times. I didn’t like Eve referring to her father as ‘Pups’ all the time. I also didn’t think the character of Ana really contributed to the story. We never get to know her or her motives. The focus is on Eve and her relationship with Brograve. And there’s talk of a curse to spice things up.
Paul has written an extensive historical note. A lot of research has gone into this book with utter respect for the real people behind the characters. As it’s a book about 20th century people with living descendants, I can really appreciate that.
I’ll certainly pick up one of Paul’s earlier books now, and I want to read more historicals novels about Egypt (any recommendations?). But I don’t know if this will be a story I still remember in, let’s say, two years from now.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
Eve Herbert is de dochter van Lord Carnarvon die Howard Carter financeert in zijn zoektocht naar de tombe van Tutankhamun. Eve wil zelf archeologe worden en kan haar ogen niet geloven als ze bij de eersten de tombe mag binnen gaan. Maar na de ontdekking beginnen geruchten over een vloek de ronde te gaan. Wanneer Eve op latere leeftijd last heeft van geheugenverlies door enkele beroertes na een verkeersongeluk probeert een Egyptische archeologe via Eve te weten te komen wat er met bepaalde artefacten is gebeurd.
Ik wou al langer iets lezen van Gill Paul. Waar ze normaal een koninklijk onderwerp kiest, gaat ze deze keer voor het verhaal van een ontluikende liefde begin 20ste eeuw. En met maar één perspectief maar wel met twee tijdslijnen.
Lady Evelyn Herbert is in de 70 en ontwaakt in het ziekenhuis na alweer een beroerte. Ze herinnert zich niks van de recente jaren, maar wel nog alles van de jaren 20 toen ze in Egypte de tombe van Tutankhamun mee ontdekte en haar man Brograve Beauchamp ontmoette op een bal. Wanneer Ana Mansour haar vervelende vragen begint te stellen over verdwenen stukken uit de tombe probeert Eve alle puzzelstukjes bij elkaar te leggen.
Ik vond dit op zich wel een mooi boek, maar het deed me niet zo veel. Ik was geïnteresseerd in de jaren 20 die met veel fitnesse werden beschreven, zowel in Egypte als in Highclere Castle in Engeland. Maar er ligt een grote focus op Eve als oudere dame en haar slechte gezondheid en revalidatie. Dat vond ik wat jammer. Ook het personage van Ana Mansour bracht niet super veel bij vond ik.
Ik vond het ook vervelend hoe Eve altijd aan haar vader refereerde als 'pups'. Al bij al zitten hier veel interessante elementen in waar ik wel van genoten heb en wil ik graag nog eens een ander boek van Paul proberen. Zeker door haar gedetailleerde historische noot waaruit heel wat zorg en aandacht voor de echte mensen achter de personages schuilt. Maar of dit verhaal me nu echt gaat bijblijven? Daar twijfel ik aan.
Bedankt aan de uitgever en Netgalley voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
Gill Paul is an author I’ve meant to read a long time ago. She often writes a two perspective novel with one the characters being from royal blood. Her newest novel ‘The collector’s daughter‘ is different in that regard. There’s only one female perspective, although we meet her at two certain points in her life, and she has noble but no royal ancestors.
The discovery of Tutankhamun has always fascinated me so I did know who Evelyn Herbert was. The book opens with Eve waking up in the hospital after a stroke with her loyal husband Brograve Beauchamp besides her. We learn that Eve has had a car accident some time ago since when she suffers from strokes that sometimes take away her speech, but also parts of her memories. This time she does recall the distant past as if it was yesterday and her mind takes her back to the 1920’s in Egypt and the balls in Engeland where she met Brograve after WOI.
Highclere castle, the real Downton Abbey, also features in the story. We meet Eve’s complex family from the earl who dotes on his daughter, her lively but spendthrift mother Almina and her brother Porchy, the future earl of Carnarvon.
I did enjoy this novel, but it’s a light read. There’s a heavy focus on Eve’s health and her revalidation, leaving not enough space in my opinion for the historical perspective. I loved traveling back to Egypt, but the storyline became a bit shallow at times. I didn’t like Eve referring to her father as ‘Pups’ all the time. I also didn’t think the character of Ana really contributed to the story. We never get to know her or her motives. The focus is on Eve and her relationship with Brograve. And there’s talk of a curse to spice things up.
Paul has written an extensive historical note. A lot of research has gone into this book with utter respect for the real people behind the characters. As it’s a book about 20th century people with living descendants, I can really appreciate that.
I’ll certainly pick up one of Paul’s earlier books now, and I want to read more historicals novels about Egypt (any recommendations?). But I don’t know if this will be a story I still remember in, let’s say, two years from now.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
Eve Herbert is de dochter van Lord Carnarvon die Howard Carter financeert in zijn zoektocht naar de tombe van Tutankhamun. Eve wil zelf archeologe worden en kan haar ogen niet geloven als ze bij de eersten de tombe mag binnen gaan. Maar na de ontdekking beginnen geruchten over een vloek de ronde te gaan. Wanneer Eve op latere leeftijd last heeft van geheugenverlies door enkele beroertes na een verkeersongeluk probeert een Egyptische archeologe via Eve te weten te komen wat er met bepaalde artefacten is gebeurd.
Ik wou al langer iets lezen van Gill Paul. Waar ze normaal een koninklijk onderwerp kiest, gaat ze deze keer voor het verhaal van een ontluikende liefde begin 20ste eeuw. En met maar één perspectief maar wel met twee tijdslijnen.
Lady Evelyn Herbert is in de 70 en ontwaakt in het ziekenhuis na alweer een beroerte. Ze herinnert zich niks van de recente jaren, maar wel nog alles van de jaren 20 toen ze in Egypte de tombe van Tutankhamun mee ontdekte en haar man Brograve Beauchamp ontmoette op een bal. Wanneer Ana Mansour haar vervelende vragen begint te stellen over verdwenen stukken uit de tombe probeert Eve alle puzzelstukjes bij elkaar te leggen.
Ik vond dit op zich wel een mooi boek, maar het deed me niet zo veel. Ik was geïnteresseerd in de jaren 20 die met veel fitnesse werden beschreven, zowel in Egypte als in Highclere Castle in Engeland. Maar er ligt een grote focus op Eve als oudere dame en haar slechte gezondheid en revalidatie. Dat vond ik wat jammer. Ook het personage van Ana Mansour bracht niet super veel bij vond ik.
Ik vond het ook vervelend hoe Eve altijd aan haar vader refereerde als 'pups'. Al bij al zitten hier veel interessante elementen in waar ik wel van genoten heb en wil ik graag nog eens een ander boek van Paul proberen. Zeker door haar gedetailleerde historische noot waaruit heel wat zorg en aandacht voor de echte mensen achter de personages schuilt. Maar of dit verhaal me nu echt gaat bijblijven? Daar twijfel ik aan.
Bedankt aan de uitgever en Netgalley voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced