Nefertiti: A Novel

Michelle Moran
Crown Publishers (2007)
ISBN 9780307381460
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/07)


“Nefertiti” is destined to become a classic.  This is the first time that I have ever read a historical fiction novel of this caliber.  Michelle Moran tells you her version of Nefertiti’s story in ancient Egypt, through the eyes of her sister Mutnodjmet. It is quite obvious that she extensively researched ancient Egyptian history to write this tale.

Mutnodjmet is the practical, wise sister.  Nefertiti is the beautiful, charismatic one.  She is chosen to be the queen of the pharaoh Amunhotep.  It is hoped that she will help keep him stable.  Instead, she also gets caught up in his desire for greed and status.  The pharaoh is about seventeen-years-old at this time.  He has ideas of rejecting the god Anum and overthrowing his priests in favor of the sun god Aten.  To convince his followers to do this, Nefertiti relies on her charisma and charm and Aten tries to buy them with gold. 

They try to create themselves as gods.  They start building a city to rival all other cities in Egypt and perhaps the world.  Instead of using images of their gods, Nefertiti and Amunhotep use images of themselves.  They are so desperate to create this city, that they have soldiers working as builders.  Other places under their rule are being attacked by their enemies and losing.  In spite of this, the soldiers continue to build.  They are very resentful of not being able to defend the people.  A rebellion begins to form.  Amunhotep begins to become paranoid and is unable to trust anyone, except his beloved Nefertiti.
       
Nefertiti has to contend with her husband’s first wife Kiya and her meddling father.  She is desperate to produce a male, so that he will be pharaoh someday instead of Kiya’s son.  Instead she produces six daughters.  She takes drastic action to safeguard her future.  In doing so, she helps almost destroy Egypt.
        
Mutnodjmet is thirteen when the story begins.  She feels overshadowed by her sister’s beauty.  She falls for a high-ranking soldier; however, her family tries to forbid their love.  Her sister does not want her to have her own family because she fears being abandoned and left alone.  Her sister’s husband does not trust her love and is afraid he will try to overthrow him.  This would put Mutnodjmet in power.  

Mutnodjmet has no desire to rule over anyone.  She desires a simple life with children and the love of her life.  She loves working as a healer with her herbs.  Her sister does everything in her power to thwart her dreams.  She must learn to take a stance for herself and she does.  When Nefertiti and Amunhotep’s influence begins to wane because of their insane selfishness and greed, Mutnodjmet steps in to try to help resolve what is happening.  She has her hands full. 

“Nefertiti” is an incredibly well-written story.  This is one of those books that you won’t want to end.  I really hope that there will be more to follow.  Ms. Moran has a gift for vivid detail.  I was easily able to picture ancient Egypt with its sites and sounds at the time. I also got caught up in Mutnodjmet’s life.  For someone so young, she had tremendous responsibilities and expectations placed upon her.  “Nefertiti” is a novel that should not be missed.  Enjoy this one.

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