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A review by lisa_setepenre
King and Goddess by Judith Tarr
3.0
King and Goddess is a well-written, engaging novel that brings Ancient Egypt in the reign of Hatshepsut to life. Unfortunately, I had a lot of niggles with it that meant that I didn't enjoy it as much as I feel that I have should have.
Early on, I found both Hatshepsut and Senenmut unsympathetic and unlikeable characters. In the early chapters, both are limited to ambitious and arrogant, before Hatshepsut developed a cruel streak. In one scene, Hatshepsut refuses to have anything to do with her newborn daughter, Neferure, because she is not the son. In another, Hatshepsut seems inordinately cruel to her husband, Thutmose II, who Tarr depicts as having loved, or was in love with, Hatshepsut.
It's possible, of course, that Hatshepsut was really an ambitious, cruel and arrogant woman – but it's hard to take these qualities and create a heroine that we're meant to root for. Particularly, when, Tarr's Thutmose II is far from unlikeable enough that Hatshepsut's cruelty towards him come across as warranted or necessary.
I was disappointed by Isis, the mother of Thutmose III, and the relationship she has with Hatshepsut. Initially, they are depicted in a kind of alliance with Hatshepsut, but this quickly develops into an one-sided rivalry, with Isis as a petty, jealous concubine to Hatshepsut as the munificent queen.
I was disappointed by Isis, the mother of Thutmose III, and the relationship she has with Hatshepsut. Initially, they are depicted in a kind of alliance with Hatshepsut, but this quickly develops into an one-sided rivalry, with Isis as a petty, jealous concubine to Hatshepsut as the munificent queen.
Hatshepsut and Senemut do become more than arrogantly ambitious, but we're never shown them growing as characters. Still, I had issues with Tarr's Hatshepsut right until the end. Her blindness and hatred when it comes to Thutmose III are majorly off-putting. Her own ambitions are never developed beyond her belief that she, alone, is worthy of the kingship.
Again, I found myself disappointed by the relationship between Hatshepsut and her heir, Thutmose III. The relationship was once thought to have been one of mutual hatred is known today to be far more complex. It is possible that Thutmose III had great respect for his aunt, stepmother and co-regent. Today, it seems more likely that that his actions were driven by the desire to safeguard his son's succession than hatred and resentment towards his aunt.
I felt as though the character of Thutmose III was wasted somewhat. Tarr gave us an uniquely awesome look at him as a child, but didn't really go anywhere after that.
The story is told mostly through the eyes of Senenmut, though Tarr occasionally offers a small scene through the eyes of Nehsi, the chancellor/guard of Hatshepsut. For the most part, this works. We're allowed extra insight into Hatshepsut and other characters, and it provides a natural way to continue the novel after Senenmut's death. But, it felt out of place and particularly uneven when the story switches to Nehsi and the voyage to Punt for several chapters, keeping the reader away from both Senenmut and Hatshepsut.
The book was published in 1996, and in some ways it shows its age, such as in Hatshepsut's pacifism and the largely antagonistic relationship she has with Thutmose III.
King and Goddess is a fantastic read, one that I would happily recommend. For me, it's disappointing and a little uneven, but this probably more a reflection of my own knowledge and attitudes towards Hatshepsut and Thutmose III than anything else. 3.5 stars.
Early on, I found both Hatshepsut and Senenmut unsympathetic and unlikeable characters. In the early chapters, both are limited to ambitious and arrogant, before Hatshepsut developed a cruel streak. In one scene, Hatshepsut refuses to have anything to do with her newborn daughter, Neferure, because she is not the son. In another, Hatshepsut seems inordinately cruel to her husband, Thutmose II, who Tarr depicts as having loved, or was in love with, Hatshepsut.
It's possible, of course, that Hatshepsut was really an ambitious, cruel and arrogant woman – but it's hard to take these qualities and create a heroine that we're meant to root for. Particularly, when, Tarr's Thutmose II is far from unlikeable enough that Hatshepsut's cruelty towards him come across as warranted or necessary.
I was disappointed by Isis, the mother of Thutmose III, and the relationship she has with Hatshepsut. Initially, they are depicted in a kind of alliance with Hatshepsut, but this quickly develops into an one-sided rivalry, with Isis as a petty, jealous concubine to Hatshepsut as the munificent queen.
I was disappointed by Isis, the mother of Thutmose III, and the relationship she has with Hatshepsut. Initially, they are depicted in a kind of alliance with Hatshepsut, but this quickly develops into an one-sided rivalry, with Isis as a petty, jealous concubine to Hatshepsut as the munificent queen.
Hatshepsut and Senemut do become more than arrogantly ambitious, but we're never shown them growing as characters. Still, I had issues with Tarr's Hatshepsut right until the end. Her blindness and hatred when it comes to Thutmose III are majorly off-putting. Her own ambitions are never developed beyond her belief that she, alone, is worthy of the kingship.
Again, I found myself disappointed by the relationship between Hatshepsut and her heir, Thutmose III. The relationship was once thought to have been one of mutual hatred is known today to be far more complex. It is possible that Thutmose III had great respect for his aunt, stepmother and co-regent. Today, it seems more likely that that his actions were driven by the desire to safeguard his son's succession than hatred and resentment towards his aunt.
I felt as though the character of Thutmose III was wasted somewhat. Tarr gave us an uniquely awesome look at him as a child, but didn't really go anywhere after that.
The story is told mostly through the eyes of Senenmut, though Tarr occasionally offers a small scene through the eyes of Nehsi, the chancellor/guard of Hatshepsut. For the most part, this works. We're allowed extra insight into Hatshepsut and other characters, and it provides a natural way to continue the novel after Senenmut's death. But, it felt out of place and particularly uneven when the story switches to Nehsi and the voyage to Punt for several chapters, keeping the reader away from both Senenmut and Hatshepsut.
The book was published in 1996, and in some ways it shows its age, such as in Hatshepsut's pacifism and the largely antagonistic relationship she has with Thutmose III.
King and Goddess is a fantastic read, one that I would happily recommend. For me, it's disappointing and a little uneven, but this probably more a reflection of my own knowledge and attitudes towards Hatshepsut and Thutmose III than anything else. 3.5 stars.