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Nefer the Silent Stone of Light Christian Jacq Ezra Knight 9780743505086 Books

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Nefer the Silent Stone of Light Christian Jacq Ezra Knight 9780743505086 Books

I've read the Ramses series a few years ago and thought I'd pick up a copy of this even though some reviewers say it's not as good. Well, I enjoyed reading it just as much as the Ramses. The short chapters make it easy to read even if one doesn't have hours to read at a time. However, it's one of those books that was really hard for me to put down even at 3am after reading for several hours... you know, just one more chapter... :) I've always found the history of ancient Egypt fascinating and though it's a fiction novel one can learn a great deal about what it was like living in the time of the pharaohs. Oh, and the story is not over yet, can't wait to read the rest of the series!


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Nefer the Silent Stone of Light Christian Jacq Ezra Knight 9780743505086 Books Reviews

Christian Jacq's latest novel is technically very punchy in style, sacrificing scene development for action. His characterisations also seem to follow the same pattern. In 'The Stone of Light' opener, we see several contrasting characters, most of which are not as simple and forthright as Paneb the Ardent, yet still come across as sketches rather than blooded characters. Perhaps the later installments of The Stone of Light will add more flesh to their sparse bones.
After the Ramses series, Jacq once more plunges us into his version of Eygptian history, this time taking us to West Thebes, to the secret village known as the Place of Truth where rigorously selected craftsmen who have see the `Way' work on the tombs and edifices within the Valley of the Kings. It is fairly near the end of Ramses reign and he has a walk-on part, purely to emphasize the importance of the Place of Truth as we are more concerned with the `giant' sixteen year old Ardent (whose all consuming desire is to become an artist, but both his birth and circumstance preclude entry) and his peer, Silent, (who was born to the village but is currently wandering Egypt in search of his own personal light). Silent's wandering through Thebes neatly allows Jacq to ensure that the two meet and, after saving Silent's life, gives Ardent the necessary means to approach the village. Silent also meets and elopes with Ubekhet (destined to become a priestess, along with Ardent's future wife, Uabet, and mistress, Turquoise - interesting name as it originates in 14th century old French).
Most of the action surrounding these characters is taken with Ardent's somewhat Herculean efforts to prove himself along every step of the regimented way to gaining entry to the village. Jacq overemphasizes his tenacity, simplicity, efficiency and effectiveness all of which would be a trifle too good to be true save he is affected by an arrogance born of sheer over-confidence. Nevertheless, he surmounts all tasks and is admitted to the village to become Paneb the Ardent, in the same manner that Silent becomes Nefer the Silent.
The real story that runs through is the use of Mehy, an ambitious man (whom we see committing a murder in the opening scenes) who marries, murders, cheats and lies his way up through the highest echelons of Pharaonic Thebes. His desire to destroy the Place of Truth (no real reason is actually given) eventually gives way to an attempt to murder Ramses which fails (though time eventually achieves his aim) through Ardent's preceptivity. With his equally secretly ambitious wife, Serketa, they spend most this opener gleaning information, setting up a network of spies and establishing themselves. However, at no point do the youg artisans ever come into direct contact with the scheming Mehy, only through the medium of the Place of Truth's security commander, Sobek (who provides some levity throughout).
This opening novel (of four) is a refreshing read, similar in style to Rameses and moves along at a nice pace. It is usually the mark of a good book that you can get to the end and be entertained, yet realise that nothing really happened throughout as it seems to setup the remaining novels. If you like the Rameses series then The Stone of Light should be just as enjoyable.
The first volume in Christian Jacq's The Stone of Light series is pleasure to read. If you have read his five volume Ramses II series, don't miss this one.
Jacq is an Egyptolgist who possesses an incredible ability without hindering plot, bogging down his writing with too much detail or weak character development, he allows the reader to visit this great civilization in its glory, recontructed upon accurate historical information. I suppose the point that I am trying to make is that Jacq's novels are not like an academic textbook, although you may find yourself wanting to learn more about this fascinating ancient civilization after reading one of them... His writing simply flows. He skillfully breathes life into actual people (as well as some fictional ones too) that lived thousands of years ago. I have found reading each of his works so far to be a pleasurable experience.
As for Nefer the Silent itself, the story focuses on two young men, Silent (a sculpter) and Paneb (a painter), who both seek to become artists in the brotherhood of the Place of Truth. The Place of Truth is home to a sacred brotherhood who are charged with the task of creating the tombs of the Pharoahs and Queens. Although many rumors exist about the brotherhood due to the secrecy of their work and the fact that they answer only to Pharoah, both men are determined to follow the path that will lead them there. For each it will be different and there it is not certain that an artist will be accepted once he reaches the Place of Truth. Nevertheless, Paneb and Silent are determined to try and this is their story.
I enjoyed Nefer the Silent a great deal and immediately purchased the next volume (I confess, I didn't but the book when it first came out.) I've finished both of them in under three days. I couldn't put this down. I hope your experience is as good as mine has been. Enjoy!
If you expect novels to be well-written, this one is not. The characters are one-dimensional, the story line plods along very predictably. Don't waste your time or money.
One of the best authors I've ever read for historical fiction!
I've read the Ramses series a few years ago and thought I'd pick up a copy of this even though some reviewers say it's not as good. Well, I enjoyed reading it just as much as the Ramses. The short chapters make it easy to read even if one doesn't have hours to read at a time. However, it's one of those books that was really hard for me to put down even at 3am after reading for several hours... you know, just one more chapter... ) I've always found the history of ancient Egypt fascinating and though it's a fiction novel one can learn a great deal about what it was like living in the time of the pharaohs. Oh, and the story is not over yet, can't wait to read the rest of the series!