posted on Jul, 29 2007 @ 11:10 PM
I would have LOVED this book when I was in my teens. It's amusing enough, I suppose, a tale of a eunuch slave during the reign of Pharaoh Mamose in
ancient Egypt, and his mistress the Lady Lostris and her love-interest, Tanus, Lord Harrab.
It has adventure of sorts, very good detail and historical tidbits scattered throughout, but it's ultimately just a little stale.
I read Edgar Rice Burroughs from 8 to about 14. I read Jean Auel in my 20's. I can't read either author now, even though they helped to form my
literary tastes. Burroughs because even though it's an adventure, it's sort of pedestrian and tame, in that the plot is fairly easy to see through and
the Lady Lostris is a semi-annoying caricature of a woman, as seen through the eyes of a callow and inexperienced 15 year old boy who has also been
somewhat insulated from real women and what they're like. Just like the "heroines" and distressed damsels in 20th century pulp fiction.
It was like Auel in that the protagonist seems to have invented every damn thing under the sun, is a whiz at architecture, jewelry making, medicine,
and many other tasks that take a lifetime to perfect the way this youngish man has. That's why I ended up hating Ayla of Clan of the Cave Bear.
She was a one-woman renaissance, and Taita of River God is much like her in that regard.
I haven't finished the book yet, but for an adult that has discerning tastes and prefers something with a little more substance, this book isn't the
best choice. For an adolescent boy or girl, it's the bomb.
Not a bad read, I haven't had the urge to gouge out my eyes with rusty forks, but I've read better.
Sorry, Mr. Smith.
[edit on 29-7-2007 by MajorMalfunction]