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The King's Man #1
The Twice Born
When Huy is sent away from his family’s farm to a prestigious school for a chance at a better life as a scribe, he is soon befriended by the family of the local governor. But just as Huy starts to feel at home with his aristocratic new friends, an unexpected attack shockingly takes his life. After five days in a crypt being prepared for his own burial, Huy miraculously revives. His mysterious return to life makes him a pariah, and although he longs to lead a normal life, Huy finds himself haunted by visions of the deaths of those around him. An ingenious and suspenseful novel of ancient Egypt, The Twice Born is a treat for all fans of historical or fantasy fiction.
688 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
23 people are currently reading
1408 people want to read
About the author
Pauline Gedge
47 books490 followersI was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on December 11, 1945, the first of three girls. Six years later my family emigrated to England where my father, an ex-policeman, wanted to study for the Anglican ministry. We lived in an ancient and very dilapidated cottage in the heart of the English Buckinghamshire woodland, and later in a small village in Oxfordshire called Great Haseley. I grew up surrounded by countryside that I observed, played in, and grew to know and love passionately, and I wrote lyrically of its many moods.
My father had his first parish in Oxford, so in 1956, having passed the eleven-plus exam, a torture now fortunately defunct, I attended what was then the Oxford Central School for Girls. I was a very good student in everything but mathematics. Any academic discipline that is expressed and interpreted through words I could conquer, but math was bewildering and foreign, a maze of numbers and ridiculous symbols with which I had nothing in common. I liked chemistry, because I was allowed to play with pretty crystals and chemicals that behaved as if they had magic in them. I studied the violin, an instrument I struggled over and gave up after two years, and the piano, which I enjoyed and continue to play, along with the recorders. Music has always been important to me.
Then in 1959 my father accepted a parish in Virden, Manitoba, and the family left for Canada. After three months at the local high school, I was sent to a boarding school in Saskatchewan. It was the most dehumanizing, miserable experience of my life. In 1961 I began one inglorious year at the University of Manitoba’s Brandon College. I did not work very hard, and just before final exams I was told that my sister Anne was dying. I lost all interest in passing.
Anne wanted to die in the country where she was born, so we all returned to New Zealand. She died a month after our arrival, and is buried in Auckland. The rest of us moved down to the tip of the South Island where my father had taken the parish of Riverton. For a year I worked as a substitute teacher in three rural schools. In ’64 I attended the Teachers’ Training College in Dunedin, South Island, where my writing output became prolific but again my studies suffered. I did not particularly want to be a teacher. All I wanted to do was stay home and read and write. I was eighteen, bored and restless. I met my first husband there.
In 1966 I married and returned to Canada, this time to Alberta, with my husband and my family. I found work at a day care in Edmonton. My husband and I returned to England the next year, and my first son, Simon, was born there in January ’68. In 1969 we came back to Edmonton, and my second son was born there in December 1970.
By 1972 I was divorced, and I moved east of Edmonton to the village of Edgerton. I wrote my first novel and entered it in the Alberta Search-for-a-New-Novelist Competition. It took fourth place out of ninety-eight entries, and though it received no prize, the comments from the judges and my family encouraged me to try again. The next year I entered my second attempt, a bad novel that sank out of sight. Finally in 1975 I wrote and submitted Child of the Morning, the story of Hatshepsut, an 18th Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh, which won the competition. With it came a publishing deal with Macmillan of Canada and the rest, as they say, is history.
My father had his first parish in Oxford, so in 1956, having passed the eleven-plus exam, a torture now fortunately defunct, I attended what was then the Oxford Central School for Girls. I was a very good student in everything but mathematics. Any academic discipline that is expressed and interpreted through words I could conquer, but math was bewildering and foreign, a maze of numbers and ridiculous symbols with which I had nothing in common. I liked chemistry, because I was allowed to play with pretty crystals and chemicals that behaved as if they had magic in them. I studied the violin, an instrument I struggled over and gave up after two years, and the piano, which I enjoyed and continue to play, along with the recorders. Music has always been important to me.
Then in 1959 my father accepted a parish in Virden, Manitoba, and the family left for Canada. After three months at the local high school, I was sent to a boarding school in Saskatchewan. It was the most dehumanizing, miserable experience of my life. In 1961 I began one inglorious year at the University of Manitoba’s Brandon College. I did not work very hard, and just before final exams I was told that my sister Anne was dying. I lost all interest in passing.
Anne wanted to die in the country where she was born, so we all returned to New Zealand. She died a month after our arrival, and is buried in Auckland. The rest of us moved down to the tip of the South Island where my father had taken the parish of Riverton. For a year I worked as a substitute teacher in three rural schools. In ’64 I attended the Teachers’ Training College in Dunedin, South Island, where my writing output became prolific but again my studies suffered. I did not particularly want to be a teacher. All I wanted to do was stay home and read and write. I was eighteen, bored and restless. I met my first husband there.
In 1966 I married and returned to Canada, this time to Alberta, with my husband and my family. I found work at a day care in Edmonton. My husband and I returned to England the next year, and my first son, Simon, was born there in January ’68. In 1969 we came back to Edmonton, and my second son was born there in December 1970.
By 1972 I was divorced, and I moved east of Edmonton to the village of Edgerton. I wrote my first novel and entered it in the Alberta Search-for-a-New-Novelist Competition. It took fourth place out of ninety-eight entries, and though it received no prize, the comments from the judges and my family encouraged me to try again. The next year I entered my second attempt, a bad novel that sank out of sight. Finally in 1975 I wrote and submitted Child of the Morning, the story of Hatshepsut, an 18th Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh, which won the competition. With it came a publishing deal with Macmillan of Canada and the rest, as they say, is history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 29, 2018
I must admit, I think part of the reason why it has taken me so long to get to this book, despite thoroughly enjoying all of Pauline Gedge’s previous works, is that I’ve been saving it. The King’s Man trilogy is Gedge’s latest and as of yet last set of books, so I’ve been reluctant to crack it open, knowing that it will likely be the last time I get that sense of wondrous discovery from an author I rank among my top three.
For some reason, I previously had the mistaken impression that this trilogy was set during the reign of Ramesses II. It isn’t. I don’t know why I thought that. It’s set during the reigns of Djehutymes III, Amunhotep II, Djehutymes IV, and Amunhotep III: the blurb says so, and the protagonist, Huy, is even referenced off-screen in Gedge’s fourth novel, The Twelfth Transforming. However, this isn’t straight up historical fiction. Gedge is mostly known the straight historical novel, but she has dabbled in the past with historical fantasy in The Scroll of Saqqara, also known as Mirage, and she does so again here. Huy really does have powers of prophecy. And yet it still feels like more of a historical than a fantasy. Appearance of the fantasy elements are confined to necessity in advancing the plot, and in all other respects the book’s world operates by real life rules. Gedge, as is her wont, pours lavish detail of ancient Egyptian culture, society, and life into her novel, creating a thoroughly historical and accurate backdrop amidst which the fantastical events proceed.
Huy is also one of the few non-royal characters that Gedge has ever written about. Khaemwaset in The Scroll of Saqqara is at least a prince, and Thu from Lady of the Reeds starts as a commoner but marries into royalty. This is the first time that Gedge has charted the career of an entirely non-royal character, and my reading of the book certainly links together that fact with a slight shift in writing style. Although Gedge has always been notable for her attention to detail, the focus on daily life for ordinary Egyptians has a new intensity here. And in the absence of gripping political drama and thrilling battle scenes, she dives deep into ancient Egyptian theological thought. It’s a fascinating exploration of an area which has heretofore been persistently in the background of Gedge’s other ancient Egyptian novels.
Because I’ve been re-reading several of Gedge’s books this year and as an author she is just so consistently good at producing quality work, I know full well I am repeating similar sentiments, but it must be said once again: Gedge’s writing is sublime. Her characterisations are thoughtful and nuanced, her world-building is vivid, and her use of language is engaging and creative. I’ve been wracking my mind for negatives in this book, and I could come up with only one. Huy as a child, along with some of his peers, are far more articulate than I would expect given their young ages. But even this isn’t a negative that truly bothers me, because it means I am spared from having to endure simplified, babyish dialogue during the section encompassing his childhood and adolescence.
There’s plenty of drama in this first book in the trilogy, but the story ends with Huy on the cusp of a challenge of greatest magnitude yet, and I am eager to pick up the next instalment.
10 out of 10
April 11, 2021
Re-read April 2021. Ishat still rocks. If you haven't read Gedge, you shouldl.
Re-Read March 2013 - Really good character study. Ishat rocks.
I discovered Pauline Gedge eight years during a trip to Montreal. I brought Child of the Morning and loved it. This book, The Twice Born is her best work to date.
The book does not have much physical action, so if you are in the mood for battles between huge armies, this book doesn't have it. What this book does, and does well, is offer a mediation on fate. Huy is the twice born. He died and came back. He can now see into the future and commune with the Egyptian gods. Huy, however, would rather live a normal life. Gedge offers us a fated character and how he comes to term with his fate. The book includes discussion about belief, about fate, and about being true to yourself.
Gedge does an excellent job painting ancient Egypt for the reader. The reader gets a good feel for the time and place. All of Gedge's characters live and move. No character is too similar and all seem to be nice layered.
Re-Read March 2013 - Really good character study. Ishat rocks.
I discovered Pauline Gedge eight years during a trip to Montreal. I brought Child of the Morning and loved it. This book, The Twice Born is her best work to date.
The book does not have much physical action, so if you are in the mood for battles between huge armies, this book doesn't have it. What this book does, and does well, is offer a mediation on fate. Huy is the twice born. He died and came back. He can now see into the future and commune with the Egyptian gods. Huy, however, would rather live a normal life. Gedge offers us a fated character and how he comes to term with his fate. The book includes discussion about belief, about fate, and about being true to yourself.
Gedge does an excellent job painting ancient Egypt for the reader. The reader gets a good feel for the time and place. All of Gedge's characters live and move. No character is too similar and all seem to be nice layered.
March 16, 2017
- Minor spoilers ahead -
This book can be mediocre or brilliant depending on what you really need in historical fiction. The author has certainly taken up the story of an interesting personality. Unlike most of the historical fiction centred in ancient Egypt, this one is not about a royal personality, but about the son of a lowly farmer, who goes on to become a powerful man, and even had temples built for him and was worshipped as a direct link to Amun.
Huy is a peasant boy in Egypt living under the reign of Amunhotep III. His fond and rich uncle, Ker, decides to sponsor his education at the temple in Iunu. Things were going well for Huy and he was looking forward to the life of a scribe, when tragedy struck. One of the students in the school 'killed' him, but Amun gave life back to Huy - along with a gift. He could now prophesy and heal. This is when Huy's life changes remarkably and he tries to flee from his ultimate destiny as a tool of the gods. This story is all about his struggle with himself.
The best thing about this book is that it draws you right inside ancient Egypt and keeps you there. Extremely well researched, Gedge brings no weird modernisms into the story. These characters inhabit an ancient world and that is how they think and behave. From the food to the daily ablutions, every detail of life in small-town Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt was depicted. If this is your primary interest in historical fiction, you would love this book. And indeed, Gedge is to be commended for her details and her research!
But story-telling is a completely different matter. Everything is seen from Huy's eyes, and hence the motivations of other characters are unknown. This ultimately means that the other characters are severely underdeveloped. One example is Anuket, who overnight turns from a quiet young girl to a manipulative woman. Her manipulation was also not obvious to me at all, and except for everyone calling her that, there is absolutely nothing to show her as a bad person who would have made her husband unhappy. The same thing happens with Sennefer. He randomly establishes an enmity with Huy, which goes to the extent of killing him. I think this deserved more exploration of his thoughts and feelings!
For reading this book, you have to suspend disbelief. Gedge treats god as real and has Huy genuinely go into trances and predicting future. She also has the gods talking to him, and he is able to heal through their intervention. All this in a story that is supposedly about a real man who existed takes a lot of effort to get into. But you mostly do, because of the excellent detailing.
One of the most boring parts of the book was when Huy is deciphering the Book of Thoth. The author just has him ruminate and ponder the cryptic sayings over and over again. I was not interested in the philosophy and neither was I interested in Huy's thought process while trying to decipher the Book. This part was really not fun.
Overall, despite all the problems, The Twice Born was a very compelling read. It is not easy to write a fictional biography of a person about whom not much is known. Gedge's knowledge of this period in time is excellent and all you need to do is go with the flow.
This book can be mediocre or brilliant depending on what you really need in historical fiction. The author has certainly taken up the story of an interesting personality. Unlike most of the historical fiction centred in ancient Egypt, this one is not about a royal personality, but about the son of a lowly farmer, who goes on to become a powerful man, and even had temples built for him and was worshipped as a direct link to Amun.
Huy is a peasant boy in Egypt living under the reign of Amunhotep III. His fond and rich uncle, Ker, decides to sponsor his education at the temple in Iunu. Things were going well for Huy and he was looking forward to the life of a scribe, when tragedy struck. One of the students in the school 'killed' him, but Amun gave life back to Huy - along with a gift. He could now prophesy and heal. This is when Huy's life changes remarkably and he tries to flee from his ultimate destiny as a tool of the gods. This story is all about his struggle with himself.
The best thing about this book is that it draws you right inside ancient Egypt and keeps you there. Extremely well researched, Gedge brings no weird modernisms into the story. These characters inhabit an ancient world and that is how they think and behave. From the food to the daily ablutions, every detail of life in small-town Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt was depicted. If this is your primary interest in historical fiction, you would love this book. And indeed, Gedge is to be commended for her details and her research!
But story-telling is a completely different matter. Everything is seen from Huy's eyes, and hence the motivations of other characters are unknown. This ultimately means that the other characters are severely underdeveloped. One example is Anuket, who overnight turns from a quiet young girl to a manipulative woman. Her manipulation was also not obvious to me at all, and except for everyone calling her that, there is absolutely nothing to show her as a bad person who would have made her husband unhappy. The same thing happens with Sennefer. He randomly establishes an enmity with Huy, which goes to the extent of killing him. I think this deserved more exploration of his thoughts and feelings!
For reading this book, you have to suspend disbelief. Gedge treats god as real and has Huy genuinely go into trances and predicting future. She also has the gods talking to him, and he is able to heal through their intervention. All this in a story that is supposedly about a real man who existed takes a lot of effort to get into. But you mostly do, because of the excellent detailing.
One of the most boring parts of the book was when Huy is deciphering the Book of Thoth. The author just has him ruminate and ponder the cryptic sayings over and over again. I was not interested in the philosophy and neither was I interested in Huy's thought process while trying to decipher the Book. This part was really not fun.
Overall, despite all the problems, The Twice Born was a very compelling read. It is not easy to write a fictional biography of a person about whom not much is known. Gedge's knowledge of this period in time is excellent and all you need to do is go with the flow.
January 5, 2018
URGENTE...... "NO LEAS LA SINOPSIS" contiene Spoilers que not e dejaran disfrutar al 100% la lectura, solo te puedo decir que trata de un joven, conocemos su infancia y adolescencia y como regresa de lso muertos con poderes de adivinacion, de ahi a disfrutar la historia que contiene, amistad, amor familiar y sentimental, traicion, decepcion, aventuras en rios y ciudades, trabajo y educacion, reconstruccion historica de egipto, una historia muy completa, te encariñas mucho con los personajes, principalmente con ITsha, los amigos de Huy y por supuesto el msimisimo Huy, talves me senti identificado con el personaje principal y por eso me gusto la historia, pero estoy seguro que a mas de uno le va a gustar, solo denle una oportunidad, yo no soy de los que disfruta las descripciones largas de los escenarios, pero este libro posee mucho y no se me hizo pesado, la verdad desconozco el motivo, porque se que a mas de uno le va a llegar a frutrar como a mi en otros libros me ha pasado, pero en este no, y ya se que es necesario leer la sinopsis para querer leer un libro, pero que mas daria por que no existiera esa sinopsis o se cambiara, porque te da 2 Spoilers que no arruinan la historia, pero si hacen que pierdas ese encanto porque ya sabes que va a pasar mas adelante y desde las primeras paginas ya sabes que va a pasar. pero aun asi el final es muy bonito, y puede que lo interpretes o no desde antes, pero antes de terminar da un giro que se resuelve jsutamente en als ultimas paginas. me encanto este libro y no me daria iedo en decir que ha sido mi libro favorito que he leido
September 13, 2019
I really wanted to like this book more than I did, and I tried to round up to two stars, but in good conscience could not.
The book is a tedious read, made so in part because it has many, many more pages than it needs. It is repetitive in many parts, I mean really, do I need to read the discussion each time of the dozens of times someone eats goat cheese and bread or greens with slices of garlic and onion? I adamantly say NO. Unfortunately, Gedge seems to think yes. There are many examples of this disagreement between me and this author throughout the book.
Actually, the repetitiveness of the book often points to a pet peeve of mine in books.
>I hate it when authors think that I, as the reader, am an idiot.
>I hate is when authors over-explain concepts and facts.
>I hate is when they repeat information over and over again, no matter how important or trivial to the plot.
>I hate is when the author writes a book that has lots of facts but throws in also a whole lot of factual errors.
Another pet peeve:
>I hate it when authors include children who do not act their ages, e.g. four-year-old Huy who acts twelve and fourteen-year-old Huy who acts both two and twenty (though the latter is more forgivable because teens sometimes do that - except he never acts fourteen even when fourteen).
Still another pet peeve of mine: I hate it when the female characters exist almost entirely to fulfill roles of mother and lover and potential lover. OK, in this one they also get to be servant, but that is not better. It is, again, made worse because in one case she gets to pretend to be 'mentor' but behaves as 'mother' and in another gets to pretend to be 'friend' but is essentially 'potential lover' and 'servant'. Blargh! I hate it when authors think I am an idiot. As if I believe any of this pretending. Granted, what could I expect? With a protagonist is two-dimensional and unrealistic, how could I expect the supporting cast of characters to do any better, especially the women, who fared worst of all?
Gedge writes all of my pet peeves and more and it is as irritating in this book as it is in any other, made worse because this book is more than 450 pages of it, almost nonstop.
Finally, I immensely disliked the protagonist Huy. He is a self-entitled, whiny, selfish, arrogant, [insert word here the GR would censor]. And, all of the moaning and groaning and feeling badly, and more often trying to justify, the hubris of his thoughts and actions read as shallow and fake as the rest of this character. By the end of the book I hated this character. My loathing for Huy was problematic because the book is so focused on him that there was no escape. And, in Gedge's repetitive style, the reader gets to hear all of Huy's thoughts before he makes a choice or takes an action, the narrative of him enacting the choice or action, the thoughts he is having while making the choice or action, the discussions he has with others about the choice or action, and then his thoughts about the results of the particular choice or action. EVERY time Huy makes a thought or action, from putting on sandals (or not) to whether or not he will move across the country. Did that last little bit of my review seem tedious, poorly written, and repetitive? Try it for 450+ pages in this book, only with less conciseness of writing and more annoyance about the character - that is this book in a nutshell. BLARGH!
Yes, I wanted to like this book much more than I did. I tried to give it two stars, but by the end of this review, I realized that I cannot. Two is for 'it is OK'. One is for 'did not like it'. I go beyond 'not liking' into hating this book. So one star it is.
I will read no more books in this series, and no more by this author. There are too many good books out there and even potentially good books out there for me to pursue ones that are as irritating as this.
The book is a tedious read, made so in part because it has many, many more pages than it needs. It is repetitive in many parts, I mean really, do I need to read the discussion each time of the dozens of times someone eats goat cheese and bread or greens with slices of garlic and onion? I adamantly say NO. Unfortunately, Gedge seems to think yes. There are many examples of this disagreement between me and this author throughout the book.
Actually, the repetitiveness of the book often points to a pet peeve of mine in books.
>I hate it when authors think that I, as the reader, am an idiot.
>I hate is when authors over-explain concepts and facts.
>I hate is when they repeat information over and over again, no matter how important or trivial to the plot.
>I hate is when the author writes a book that has lots of facts but throws in also a whole lot of factual errors.
Another pet peeve:
>I hate it when authors include children who do not act their ages, e.g. four-year-old Huy who acts twelve and fourteen-year-old Huy who acts both two and twenty (though the latter is more forgivable because teens sometimes do that - except he never acts fourteen even when fourteen).
Still another pet peeve of mine: I hate it when the female characters exist almost entirely to fulfill roles of mother and lover and potential lover. OK, in this one they also get to be servant, but that is not better. It is, again, made worse because in one case she gets to pretend to be 'mentor' but behaves as 'mother' and in another gets to pretend to be 'friend' but is essentially 'potential lover' and 'servant'. Blargh! I hate it when authors think I am an idiot. As if I believe any of this pretending. Granted, what could I expect? With a protagonist is two-dimensional and unrealistic, how could I expect the supporting cast of characters to do any better, especially the women, who fared worst of all?
Gedge writes all of my pet peeves and more and it is as irritating in this book as it is in any other, made worse because this book is more than 450 pages of it, almost nonstop.
Finally, I immensely disliked the protagonist Huy. He is a self-entitled, whiny, selfish, arrogant, [insert word here the GR would censor]. And, all of the moaning and groaning and feeling badly, and more often trying to justify, the hubris of his thoughts and actions read as shallow and fake as the rest of this character. By the end of the book I hated this character. My loathing for Huy was problematic because the book is so focused on him that there was no escape. And, in Gedge's repetitive style, the reader gets to hear all of Huy's thoughts before he makes a choice or takes an action, the narrative of him enacting the choice or action, the thoughts he is having while making the choice or action, the discussions he has with others about the choice or action, and then his thoughts about the results of the particular choice or action. EVERY time Huy makes a thought or action, from putting on sandals (or not) to whether or not he will move across the country. Did that last little bit of my review seem tedious, poorly written, and repetitive? Try it for 450+ pages in this book, only with less conciseness of writing and more annoyance about the character - that is this book in a nutshell. BLARGH!
Yes, I wanted to like this book much more than I did. I tried to give it two stars, but by the end of this review, I realized that I cannot. Two is for 'it is OK'. One is for 'did not like it'. I go beyond 'not liking' into hating this book. So one star it is.
I will read no more books in this series, and no more by this author. There are too many good books out there and even potentially good books out there for me to pursue ones that are as irritating as this.
December 6, 2010
A young peasant boy in ancient Egypt has a loving uncle pay for his schooling to become a scribe. However, while at this school, the young boy (Huy) becomes the victim of a vicious attack by the school bully and he dies...but miraculously comes back to life after 5 days in the House of the Dead. While he's been "dead" he travels to the Hall of Judgement in the Egyptian afterlife and is surrounded by gods and goddesses who offer him a gift of seeing the future and helping his country. He accepts their offer, they return his soul to his body, and he awakens (alarming his grieved family and teachers). And thus begins his travels and adventures as an Egyptian Seer. Unfortunately such "sightings" cause tremendous headaches and severe fatigue to Huy's body. At the end of Book 1 of The King's Man Trilogy" he's been discovered by the Pharaoh and moves up financially and in society. But he feels the tight control all around him and all he wants to do is live a normal life, get married and have children.
October 1, 2025
3.5 stars
Cool world! Cool magic! Cool characters except the protagonist who gives pessimistic emo teen boys a run for their money!
Cool world! Cool magic! Cool characters except the protagonist who gives pessimistic emo teen boys a run for their money!
September 23, 2008
Twice Born is Pauline Gedge's twelfth novel, eight of which were inspired by Egyptian history. It's another of her richly detailed portrayals of the lives of farmers, slaves, nobility and priestly classes of ancient Egypt. Several of her novels have won awards so it's no surprise that her books have sold over six million copies worldwide and been translated into 18 languages. Twice Born is the first of a new trilogy about Huy, son of Hapu. Known in history as Amunhotep, he was a real and significant figure in Egypt whose achievements were inscribed and survive to this day. But his personal life and origins remain unknown. Pauline Gedge has imaginatively created this story of his early years and development into a seer. The story begins when Huy, son of Hapu, is barely four years old. We follow him through school with noble's children and friendship with the governor's son Thothmes, and his sisters. Well-written and full of fascinating details of the daily life and customs about food, drink, clothing, jewellry, oils and perfumes, medicines, games, funeral customs and much more, the story keeps us engrossed. Then a shocking transformation occurs following a fatal accident while he is still a boy that will determine his future fate. Some family and friends fear the changes in him while many of the common people and priests will revere him for his new powers of insight. Huy is a likeable person who longs for the simple life even while he knows he's been chosen to serve Egypt in a much greater capacity than the farmer's son he is. He will experience love and disappointment, struggling in the final years of his youth to accept his own destiny as Seer of Egypt. The readers in this family are waiting intently for the continuation of the story. No one does ancient Egypt like Pauline Gedge. Treat yourself and read it, I recommend it highly. Four and a half stars out of five.
The second book of the trilogy is entitled Seer of Egypt and will be released in November 2008. Watch for my review.
The second book of the trilogy is entitled Seer of Egypt and will be released in November 2008. Watch for my review.
August 18, 2010
As I've stated before, Gedge is my go-to author when I want a dose of absolute escapism. Twice Born lives up to that expectation. As always Gedge's story-crafting is lush, bringing to life the heat and press of ancient Egypt.
In this novel Gedge unfolds the story of a god-cursed/blessed boy who, through a violent death and subsequent resurrection, finds himself the unwilling recipient of the gift of prescience. The underlying story of implaccable destiny is an elegant counterpoint to common human struggles. Well told. Well crafted. A great summer read.
In this novel Gedge unfolds the story of a god-cursed/blessed boy who, through a violent death and subsequent resurrection, finds himself the unwilling recipient of the gift of prescience. The underlying story of implaccable destiny is an elegant counterpoint to common human struggles. Well told. Well crafted. A great summer read.
August 19, 2012
Great, great book. If you like historical fiction based in ancient Egypt you will love this one. I plan on reading everything else by Pauline Gedge.
July 14, 2017
my mother-in-law and I agree that there needs to be a corresponding cookbook to go with this series :)
August 7, 2022
The twice Born tells the story of Huy, a poor, but intelligent and arrogant child of Egypt. His fairly wealthy uncle decides to finance the education of his only nephew. The story begins with the four-year-old Huy being sent off to school at the Temple of Ra where he does well in academics, but not so well with the social aspects of a communal school. As time goes on, he gets into some trouble with bending the rules, almost getting expelled for trespassing in the enclosure of a sacred tree,. He also incurs the enmity of a school bully, a noble who thinks that Huy is well above his station. Huy develops a close friendship with Thothmes, the son of the local governor, and comes to enjoy the time he spends among the nobility, falling in love with the younger daughter of the family. However, Huy incurs a serious injury at the hands of the bully which puts him into a coma. Thought to be dead, his body is about to be prepared for mummification when he comes to consciousness. He is taken home and spends a long time in recovery and discovers that he has a gift for seeing the future. His family does not know what to make of this and holds him at a distance. His uncle withdraws his financial support, however, the high priest takes Huy under his wing. The Temple assumes his expenses and he is put to the task of reading the Book of Thoth, an account of the creation of the universe, which very few people are allowed to read.
When he finishes his schooling, Huy is offered a position as a scribe to the HIgh Priest; he rejects it because he feels confined by the Temple and the expectations that everyone has of him, His proposal of marriage to Thothmes's sister is rejected by their father and Huy flees back to his village to lead what he thinks will be a normal life. But that is not to be. In spite of his desires, the gods use his gift to make him into a Seer and healer of great renown. Eventually, even the King calls upon his services. This leads to a great change in Huy's fortunes, but he also realizes that his life is no longer his own. The book ends with that revelation which inevitably links up with the second volume of the trilogy,
Pauline Gedge is a Canadian writer, an expert in the history of ancient Egypt. Her erudition shows throughout the novel, but it would have been more helpful if she explained things a bit more. She uses many Egyptian terms almost as if they were English. One can usually figure them out, but sometimes they remain obscure. Perhaps a glossary in an appendix would have been helpful.
When he finishes his schooling, Huy is offered a position as a scribe to the HIgh Priest; he rejects it because he feels confined by the Temple and the expectations that everyone has of him, His proposal of marriage to Thothmes's sister is rejected by their father and Huy flees back to his village to lead what he thinks will be a normal life. But that is not to be. In spite of his desires, the gods use his gift to make him into a Seer and healer of great renown. Eventually, even the King calls upon his services. This leads to a great change in Huy's fortunes, but he also realizes that his life is no longer his own. The book ends with that revelation which inevitably links up with the second volume of the trilogy,
Pauline Gedge is a Canadian writer, an expert in the history of ancient Egypt. Her erudition shows throughout the novel, but it would have been more helpful if she explained things a bit more. She uses many Egyptian terms almost as if they were English. One can usually figure them out, but sometimes they remain obscure. Perhaps a glossary in an appendix would have been helpful.
March 15, 2018
Pauline Gedge historical fiction books reflect great attention to detail in the description of the lifestyle and customs of the period and country covered by her novel. The Twice Born is no exception.
Huy, son of Hapu is raised in a small town. The novel covers Huy's life from a small boy to manhood. When he is sent to school, an incident occurs resulting in Huy's death. Five days later, he reawakens in the House of the Dead, with special abilities.
While the first part of the book kept the reader's interest as Huy grows up, the second half of the book was a little disappointing as some of story lines did not seem to be written with the same attention to detail. The pace of the second half of Huy's life was covered so quickly, it felt like the author was trying to hurry to complete the novel.
Huy, son of Hapu is raised in a small town. The novel covers Huy's life from a small boy to manhood. When he is sent to school, an incident occurs resulting in Huy's death. Five days later, he reawakens in the House of the Dead, with special abilities.
While the first part of the book kept the reader's interest as Huy grows up, the second half of the book was a little disappointing as some of story lines did not seem to be written with the same attention to detail. The pace of the second half of Huy's life was covered so quickly, it felt like the author was trying to hurry to complete the novel.
June 28, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this novel.
Being an Ancient Egyptian nut, I picked this book in hopes of exploring the rich cultural and mythical history of Egypt, the descriptions and scenes were vivid and lively; I appreciated the amount of effort and research the authoress put into bringing the past to life.
Alas, the book is too long and the characters, while not flat, are static. I had to constantly remind myself that the main character Huy, was at first a four year old and later a 12 year old boy. I'm sorry, 12 year old's shouldn't sound like some wizened old man. Thothmes too, they both sound like old men, so solemn, so wise in the ways of the world.
Chapters were repetitive, any tension in the book dies a slow and painful death. The book was predictable and the Goodread's summary is a spoiler.
Being an Ancient Egyptian nut, I picked this book in hopes of exploring the rich cultural and mythical history of Egypt, the descriptions and scenes were vivid and lively; I appreciated the amount of effort and research the authoress put into bringing the past to life.
Alas, the book is too long and the characters, while not flat, are static. I had to constantly remind myself that the main character Huy, was at first a four year old and later a 12 year old boy. I'm sorry, 12 year old's shouldn't sound like some wizened old man. Thothmes too, they both sound like old men, so solemn, so wise in the ways of the world.
Chapters were repetitive, any tension in the book dies a slow and painful death. The book was predictable and the Goodread's summary is a spoiler.
September 3, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Based on other reviews, I had expected it to drag a bit and be overly descriptive, but it wasn't. The people are very human - not bad or good, but real people with good and bad arts to their character. So many books are too simplistic - good people do good things, bad people do bad things, and never shall the two meet!
The only thing i would have liked is a very short description of religion in ancient Egypt. It felt like some prior knowledge was needed here, while it wasn't for any other aspect. I've taken a couple of courses on the topic, but still found myself a little lost a couple of times.
The only thing i would have liked is a very short description of religion in ancient Egypt. It felt like some prior knowledge was needed here, while it wasn't for any other aspect. I've taken a couple of courses on the topic, but still found myself a little lost a couple of times.
August 2, 2017
tough to get through, kind of plodding. Hard to believe the protagonist, as a 4 year old, has the characteristics the author imbues....certainly no 4 yr old I have ever met. But as the story is mostly fantasy, why not it this realm as well. May or not read the next one.
January 3, 2018
Se pierde. La historia es interesante pero llega un momento que se va. Parece ser que será una trilogía. Los capítulos que hablan de mitología egipcia llegan a ser un poco cargantes. Y los últimos dan la sensación de querer alargar mucho el libro.
October 5, 2017
An amazing journey into ancient Egypt.
July 10, 2018
Loved this book, Characters are great. Loved Huy and Ishat both....going to read the other books in the series.
May 26, 2019
What a great storyteller!
July 28, 2020
Pauline Gedge never disappoints.
December 16, 2020
Muy bien escrita, super documentada. Me atrapó de principio a fin y me dejó con ganas de saber más de la historia antigua.
December 23, 2020
Loved it. Can't wait to start book 2.
April 13, 2025
An amazing tale and very difficult to put down. Not many books written about people who became minor nobility in ancient Egypt.
August 26, 2025
Well written but very slow. was surprised to find out it's part of a series which I will not be continuing.
September 2, 2018
This, was one of those novels one could read and want to re read in the future...many times. Huy's journey from a just about well-to-do commoner to one of the most important men in Egypt is one story you do not want to miss.
January 4, 2021
“EL ADIVINO” DE PAULINE GEDGE
Junto a Huy, en tiempos de Tutmosis III, recorremos las exóticas tierras fértiles del Bajo Egipto; aspirando con deleite sus aromáticos perfumes; celebrando con efusividad la esperada crecida del río, que abona los campos esparciendo el prodigioso limo allá donde deposita sus sedimentos; o adorando a las múltiples y misteriosas deidades, para que les otorguen fortuna con su suprema benevolencia. Desde la campesina y poco relevante ciudad de Atribis, situada en el Delta del Nilo, hasta la exquisita y sofisticada Heliópolis, reservada casi en exclusiva al noble linaje, Huy nos incitará a atravesar, con denotada cautela, un camino incierto y polvoriento, rebosante de peligrosos y enmascarados baches, pero, al mismo tiempo, vislumbrando un horizonte radiante y prometedor, escondido en la letanía de su propia conciencia. Allí, tras la muralla del templo de Ra, Huy aprenderá a forjar los rudimentos de la escritura, cuyos símbolos dibujados en las palabras, no tardarán en deslumbrar a sus maestros, que percibirán atónitos sus imparables progresos ante el resto de los privilegiados alumnos. En cambio, el lastimoso y complejo jeroglífico de la vida restaurada por obra divina, hará que los pasos renacidos de Huy viren por completo, hasta acabar rozando los abrumadores designios estipulados por los dioses. Momento en el que una nebulosa comenzará a usurpar sus sueños, mostrándole un fantasioso universo donde el don de saber lo que está por venir, aparecerá implacable detrás de su retina. Desde ese fatídico instante de revelación, sus visiones jamás se desprenderán de él, al igual que su paleta de escriba, que le dictará mentalmente los enrevesados enunciados del Libro de Thoth; al igual también que su más fiel compañera, Ishat, con quien ha compartido un hilo temporal quebradizo, aunque nunca fragmentado, evocándole aquel jardín de infancia contemplado entre el halo de intensos olores expandidos por su madre.
“El adivino” retrata de manera muy visual, como si se tratara de un cuadro de época en continuo movimiento, uno de los mayores periodos de esplendor de la cultura y la civilización egipcia, cuando todos sus territorios formaban parte del denominado Imperio Nuevo. A través de las peripecias del escriba y vidente Huy, nos adentramos en los deberes sagrados de aquella fructífera sociedad, de obligado cumplimiento y veneración tanto por las clases más humildes, con su vagar descalzo y sus toscas casas de adobe; como por los más altos dignatarios, sumos sacerdotes e importantes gobernadores; e incluso por la más excelsa aristocracia, imperturbable entre el inagotable caudal de lujo y ostentación que decora hasta el más mínimo detalle de sus refulgentes palacios; todos los estratos sociales mantienen a raya su devoción, así como sus anquilosadas costumbres, que se hacen eco en el retumbar de sus gentes. Asimismo, nos empuja a nadar en el largo periplo que ha canalizado e irrigado la historia del Antiguo Egipto, ubicándonos allá por el 1449 a.n.e., dándonos a conocer los declamados ritos y supersticiones de la mentalidad egipcia, o mostrándonos la cara interna del sucesor al trono de Horus, un nuevo rey-dios sujeto también a las profecías y a las abigarradas creencias religiosas inherentes al tórrido Egipto. La autora, a través de una narrativa un tanto superficial y en demasía descriptiva, con algunos pasajes algo tediosos, nos va plasmando, eso sí, con contrastada veracidad histórica, la genuina existencia de Huy, hijo de Hapu, un niño campesino que, tras pasar su infancia y parte de su adolescencia en la escuela de escribas del templo y, además, haber sido víctima de un irresoluble accidente, se convertirá en sanador y profeta; sosteniendo su influjo bajo las tranquilas aguas fecundas, insertas en el Gran Verde, evocándonos la plácida exuberancia de los espacios paisajísticos de ensueño que irradia Egipto, un país que emergió, próspero y pionero, de sus lodosas orillas.
*RESEÑA DE RAQUEL VICTORIA
Junto a Huy, en tiempos de Tutmosis III, recorremos las exóticas tierras fértiles del Bajo Egipto; aspirando con deleite sus aromáticos perfumes; celebrando con efusividad la esperada crecida del río, que abona los campos esparciendo el prodigioso limo allá donde deposita sus sedimentos; o adorando a las múltiples y misteriosas deidades, para que les otorguen fortuna con su suprema benevolencia. Desde la campesina y poco relevante ciudad de Atribis, situada en el Delta del Nilo, hasta la exquisita y sofisticada Heliópolis, reservada casi en exclusiva al noble linaje, Huy nos incitará a atravesar, con denotada cautela, un camino incierto y polvoriento, rebosante de peligrosos y enmascarados baches, pero, al mismo tiempo, vislumbrando un horizonte radiante y prometedor, escondido en la letanía de su propia conciencia. Allí, tras la muralla del templo de Ra, Huy aprenderá a forjar los rudimentos de la escritura, cuyos símbolos dibujados en las palabras, no tardarán en deslumbrar a sus maestros, que percibirán atónitos sus imparables progresos ante el resto de los privilegiados alumnos. En cambio, el lastimoso y complejo jeroglífico de la vida restaurada por obra divina, hará que los pasos renacidos de Huy viren por completo, hasta acabar rozando los abrumadores designios estipulados por los dioses. Momento en el que una nebulosa comenzará a usurpar sus sueños, mostrándole un fantasioso universo donde el don de saber lo que está por venir, aparecerá implacable detrás de su retina. Desde ese fatídico instante de revelación, sus visiones jamás se desprenderán de él, al igual que su paleta de escriba, que le dictará mentalmente los enrevesados enunciados del Libro de Thoth; al igual también que su más fiel compañera, Ishat, con quien ha compartido un hilo temporal quebradizo, aunque nunca fragmentado, evocándole aquel jardín de infancia contemplado entre el halo de intensos olores expandidos por su madre.
“El adivino” retrata de manera muy visual, como si se tratara de un cuadro de época en continuo movimiento, uno de los mayores periodos de esplendor de la cultura y la civilización egipcia, cuando todos sus territorios formaban parte del denominado Imperio Nuevo. A través de las peripecias del escriba y vidente Huy, nos adentramos en los deberes sagrados de aquella fructífera sociedad, de obligado cumplimiento y veneración tanto por las clases más humildes, con su vagar descalzo y sus toscas casas de adobe; como por los más altos dignatarios, sumos sacerdotes e importantes gobernadores; e incluso por la más excelsa aristocracia, imperturbable entre el inagotable caudal de lujo y ostentación que decora hasta el más mínimo detalle de sus refulgentes palacios; todos los estratos sociales mantienen a raya su devoción, así como sus anquilosadas costumbres, que se hacen eco en el retumbar de sus gentes. Asimismo, nos empuja a nadar en el largo periplo que ha canalizado e irrigado la historia del Antiguo Egipto, ubicándonos allá por el 1449 a.n.e., dándonos a conocer los declamados ritos y supersticiones de la mentalidad egipcia, o mostrándonos la cara interna del sucesor al trono de Horus, un nuevo rey-dios sujeto también a las profecías y a las abigarradas creencias religiosas inherentes al tórrido Egipto. La autora, a través de una narrativa un tanto superficial y en demasía descriptiva, con algunos pasajes algo tediosos, nos va plasmando, eso sí, con contrastada veracidad histórica, la genuina existencia de Huy, hijo de Hapu, un niño campesino que, tras pasar su infancia y parte de su adolescencia en la escuela de escribas del templo y, además, haber sido víctima de un irresoluble accidente, se convertirá en sanador y profeta; sosteniendo su influjo bajo las tranquilas aguas fecundas, insertas en el Gran Verde, evocándonos la plácida exuberancia de los espacios paisajísticos de ensueño que irradia Egipto, un país que emergió, próspero y pionero, de sus lodosas orillas.
*RESEÑA DE RAQUEL VICTORIA
July 30, 2013
Amenhotep, known as Huy son of Hapu, is an extraordinary figure in Ancient Egyptian history. A scribe, priest, healer, high eventual and eventual god, he was a contemporary of at least four of Egypt's pharaohs, gaining fame and eventual divinity in the court of Amenhotep III. All in all, he remains one of Egypt's most fascinating and mysterious figures.
The Twice Born is the first volume in a trilogy that explores Huy's life, offering one theory as to his rise to being one of the pharaoh's most trusted officials. Merging historical fiction with magical realism, Huy comes to life in the hands of Pauline Gedge, again displaying her considerable skill in recreating a past that feels unbelievably real.
Huy, in Gedge's hand, dies and comes back to life as the chosen of the gods Atum, Anubis and Selket, receiving the gift of foresight and ability to converse with the gods. The Twice Born tells of his education and his struggle with the gifts of the gods.
This isn't a terribly action-driven book, especially compared to the sprawling epic that was The Lords of the Two Lands trilogy, but it still remains (to me, at least) a gripping read, and I get the feeling as the series progresses, we're going to be seeing a fair amount of courtly intrigue.
Looking back at it, parts of The Twice Born feel a bit stereotypical fantasy: peasant-boy from a backwater village is also the Chosen One, but Gedge's Egypt is so grounded in realism and Gedge's Huy well-detailed enough that it doesn't feel like a cliché at all.
Indeed, the magical/fantastical elements are so integrated into the realism of the Egypt Gedge creates that I found it hard to actually notice that what I was reading was anything more than a straight historical fiction novel. That's not a criticism, by the way – very few fantasy writers have the ability to make you believe in the magic of their world, and that Gedge succeeds is a testament to her skill.
I did really like the characterisation of Huy, who isn't likeable at all to begin with, but he does grow into someone more sympathetic and likeable. I liked seeing his reluctance and anger at being made into the tool of the gods and then his acceptance. He might be 'The Chosen One', but he still feels very real and human, and doesn't verge into "so special it makes you want to stab him" territory.
So, basically, The Twice Born is a typical Gedge novel: pretty damn brilliant. I look forward to reading the sequels – but not too much, seeing as though they're only two of her Egyptian historicals I haven't read yet.
The Twice Born is the first volume in a trilogy that explores Huy's life, offering one theory as to his rise to being one of the pharaoh's most trusted officials. Merging historical fiction with magical realism, Huy comes to life in the hands of Pauline Gedge, again displaying her considerable skill in recreating a past that feels unbelievably real.
Huy, in Gedge's hand, dies and comes back to life as the chosen of the gods Atum, Anubis and Selket, receiving the gift of foresight and ability to converse with the gods. The Twice Born tells of his education and his struggle with the gifts of the gods.
This isn't a terribly action-driven book, especially compared to the sprawling epic that was The Lords of the Two Lands trilogy, but it still remains (to me, at least) a gripping read, and I get the feeling as the series progresses, we're going to be seeing a fair amount of courtly intrigue.
Looking back at it, parts of The Twice Born feel a bit stereotypical fantasy: peasant-boy from a backwater village is also the Chosen One, but Gedge's Egypt is so grounded in realism and Gedge's Huy well-detailed enough that it doesn't feel like a cliché at all.
Indeed, the magical/fantastical elements are so integrated into the realism of the Egypt Gedge creates that I found it hard to actually notice that what I was reading was anything more than a straight historical fiction novel. That's not a criticism, by the way – very few fantasy writers have the ability to make you believe in the magic of their world, and that Gedge succeeds is a testament to her skill.
I did really like the characterisation of Huy, who isn't likeable at all to begin with, but he does grow into someone more sympathetic and likeable. I liked seeing his reluctance and anger at being made into the tool of the gods and then his acceptance. He might be 'The Chosen One', but he still feels very real and human, and doesn't verge into "so special it makes you want to stab him" territory.
So, basically, The Twice Born is a typical Gedge novel: pretty damn brilliant. I look forward to reading the sequels – but not too much, seeing as though they're only two of her Egyptian historicals I haven't read yet.
September 6, 2014
"The universe is nothing but consciousness ..."
A modern twist on Ancient Egypt, both theologically and socially. I didn't find the anachronisms unappealing. Fantasy can't be historically accurate anyway. While central to the plot, the fantasy elements are pretty tame by the way.
This wordy book packs lots of plausible (to the non-specialist anyway) details about the material aspects of daily life during the New Kingdom.
Characters and relationships struck me as less plausible. They're on the whole very well behaved and often speak in an unnatural way, especially when delivering exposition. I found young children in particular highly implausible, and a lot of the book is concerned with them seeing that it's a sort of Bildungsroman, complete with a particularly preposterous case of teenage drama syndrome.
More innovative and interesting is the fantasy part of the book and the associated theology. I won't spoil it except to say that, besides the local color, the reader is confronted with ancient scrolls and a religious mystery of sorts. Though the author is no Shepard, the visions are written well enough. Frustratingly however, that stuff is diluted in a lot of fluff about the main character's school, sweetheart and so forth. And so there is little resolution by the end of the book.
Also of note are the descriptions of smells.
A modern twist on Ancient Egypt, both theologically and socially. I didn't find the anachronisms unappealing. Fantasy can't be historically accurate anyway. While central to the plot, the fantasy elements are pretty tame by the way.
This wordy book packs lots of plausible (to the non-specialist anyway) details about the material aspects of daily life during the New Kingdom.
Characters and relationships struck me as less plausible. They're on the whole very well behaved and often speak in an unnatural way, especially when delivering exposition. I found young children in particular highly implausible, and a lot of the book is concerned with them seeing that it's a sort of Bildungsroman, complete with a particularly preposterous case of teenage drama syndrome.
More innovative and interesting is the fantasy part of the book and the associated theology. I won't spoil it except to say that, besides the local color, the reader is confronted with ancient scrolls and a religious mystery of sorts. Though the author is no Shepard, the visions are written well enough. Frustratingly however, that stuff is diluted in a lot of fluff about the main character's school, sweetheart and so forth. And so there is little resolution by the end of the book.
Also of note are the descriptions of smells.
April 4, 2013
I just love Pauline Gedge and her vivid descriptions of ancient egypt. This is the first of a trilogy and I have just started on book nr 2 so I donot yet know the sum total of experience this set will give but so far it is most promising. Huy, son of Hapu is born by peasant-parents but by the grace of a wealthy uncle he is sent to school quickly learning and evolving into a bright and gifted student. Jealousy and a particularly vicious attack from a schoolmate renders him seemingly dead and he is sent to the hous of the dead only to wake up under the hands of the terrified embalmers, returning to life now with the gift of seeing and of healing which sets his destiny in a completely new direction.
Particularly the parts describing Huy´s visions are colourful and enigmatically rendered and for those with a particular interest in Egypts more ancient myths the texts describing the book of Thot, which Huy is given to study, will be a real treat to read. Gedge has always, in my opinion , had a knack for bringing her caracters to life in a particularl way, and you end up loving the litle details which makes you see them so clearly while at the same time continuing to be suprised at their actions and reactions.
This was a most promising start..
Particularly the parts describing Huy´s visions are colourful and enigmatically rendered and for those with a particular interest in Egypts more ancient myths the texts describing the book of Thot, which Huy is given to study, will be a real treat to read. Gedge has always, in my opinion , had a knack for bringing her caracters to life in a particularl way, and you end up loving the litle details which makes you see them so clearly while at the same time continuing to be suprised at their actions and reactions.
This was a most promising start..
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