Review: Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
Title: Nefertiti
Author: Moran, Michelle
Length: 460 pages
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publisher / Year: Broadway Press / 2007
Source: Picked up on sale at Shoppers.
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read It: I really enjoyed a prior read by this author, and wanted to read more on Nefertiti.
Date Read: 01/03/12
After reading a non-fiction book about Nefertiti’s life, I realized I had another book on her on my shelf and I had to go search it out. I had picked this up from a sale rack last year as I remembered enjoying a different work by the author. After reading the non-fiction work, it was fun to read this work of fiction and see one way in which her story has been interpreted.
As Tyldesley said in her work, we cannot know the full truth of Nefertiti’s life and death, or of those around her, but we have some best guesses and assumptions. Moran uses many of the assumptions and best guesses in this novel that Tyldesley had outlined in her own work. There were a few things that hadn’t been mentioned, but overall it seemed fairly accurate to the latest archaeological facts and findings. In addition to being quite accurate, the book was very engaging and provided a great story. in a book so based on historical fact it is surely an accomplishment to also keep the reader enthralled and provide action, romance, and drama as well as the history.
Nefertiti is told from the point of view of her sister, Mutnodjmet. By telling the story from this point of view we get to see how Nefertiti and Akhenaten ruled and the ways in which they interacted with others, in this fictional imagining of life. I really enjoyed Mutnodjmet as a main character, and loved the way her interactions with her sister showed how different they were but how much they each depended on the other as well.
Definitely one I’d recommend for lovers of historical fiction.
I really liked this one a few years ago. I always meant to read another Moran book. It reminded my of The Other Bolyen Sister, in that the sisters told the tale of their powerful sister,and there was lots of rivalry.
Yes, that one was similar raidergirl3, though I didn’t like it as much
This was only my second Moran book, but have really enjoyed both so far.
very true when you have somebody writing about another’s life. We can not believe everything. This is certainly a good piece of non-fiction.
This one is fiction Geosi, but a great read.
how did it compare to her actual life from the bio ? ,all the best stu
It was pretty accurate actually Stu!
I don’t read much historical fiction, but Moran is an author I want to try.
I find she crafts the stories so well Kathy, that the books are hard to put down!
I really enjoy Michelle Moran’s books. I really need to read her latest book!
Me too Kailana
always interesting comparing fiction and non-fiction representation of the same subject. Nefertiti is still an enigma and all that could be deduced from the finds are purely conjecture. We can get closer but never know.
Yes, definitely makes it more interesting Nana!
I loved this book, and now I’ll read anything Moran writes. Loved The Heretic Queen and Cleopatra’s Daughter too, Just have to get around to reading Madame Tussaud, especially since her new book comes out in August.
I really want to read more by her now too Anna, I’m glad you find her just as great of a writer!
This is a book that I have, and have not yet read. I have loved other titles from Moran, and think she does a really good job with historical detail and character, so I want to read this one sooner rather than later. This was a great review today! I am excited that you enjoyed it!
Yes, I agree zibilee, her level of detail is just incredible isn’t it?
I think it would be a welcome change to read a well-handled historical fiction account of Cleopatra’s life from the perspective of someone close to her. I imagine that Mutnodjmet must be an interesting character in her own right, and I’ve always liked hearing the descriptions of larger-than-life figures by those in their immediate circle. Another great and succint review from you, Amy — thank you!
The book on Cleopatra is more about her daughter so has less about her herself, Shivanee, but was still an interesting read. As was this one
I have read two Moran books as well, including this one and liked them both very much. I think the first was her book on Cleopatra.
The same two as me then it sounds like Sheila!