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Champollion l'égyptien
De juillet 1828 à décembre 1829, Jean-François Champollion réalise son rêve le plus cher : parcourir enfin la terre des pharaons et vérifier sur place sa fabuleuse découverte, la clé des hiéroglyphes, donnant accès à une civilisation millénaire.
Rien, pourtant, ne sera épargné à cet amoureux de la connaissance. Ni les complots ourdis par des tyrans destructeurs ni les pièges tendus par les trafiquants de vieilles pierres qui sévissent dans cet Orient aussi dangereux que fascinant. Malgré les menaces de mort, Champollion, avec un courage admirable et des moyens dérisoires, poursuit obstinément sa quête le long du Nil, bien décidé à sauver ce qui peut encore l'être.
Rien, pourtant, ne sera épargné à cet amoureux de la connaissance. Ni les complots ourdis par des tyrans destructeurs ni les pièges tendus par les trafiquants de vieilles pierres qui sévissent dans cet Orient aussi dangereux que fascinant. Malgré les menaces de mort, Champollion, avec un courage admirable et des moyens dérisoires, poursuit obstinément sa quête le long du Nil, bien décidé à sauver ce qui peut encore l'être.
380 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
9 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Christian Jacq
222 books942 followersAlso writes under the names Célestin Valois, J.B. Livingstone, and Christopher Carter.
Christian Jacq is a French author and Egyptologist. He has written several novels about ancient Egypt, notably a five book suite about pharaoh Ramses II, a character whom Jacq admires greatly.
Jacq's interest in Egyptology began when he was thirteen, and read History of Ancient Egyptian Civilization by Jacques Pirenne. This inspired him to write his first novel. He first visited Egypt when he was seventeen, went on to study Egyptology and archaeology at the Sorbonne, and is now one of the world's leading Egyptologists.
By the time he was eighteen, he had written eight books. His first commercially successful book was Champollion the Egyptian, published in 1987. As of 2004 he has written over fifty books, including several non-fiction books on the subject of Egyptology.
He and his wife later founded the Ramses Institute, which is dedicated to creating a photographic description of Egypt for the preservation of endangered archaeological sites.
Between 1995-1997, he published his best selling five book suite Ramsès, which is today published in over twenty-five countries. Each volume encompasses one aspect of Ramesses' known historical life, woven into a fictional tapestry of the ancient world for an epic tale of love, life and deceit.
Jacq's series describes a vision of the life of the pharaoh: he has two vile power-hungry siblings, Shanaar, his decadent older brother, and Dolora, his corrupted older sister who married his teacher. In his marital life, he first has Isetnofret (Iset) as a mistress (second Great Wife), meets his true love Nefertari (first Great Wife) and after their death, gets married to Maetnefrure in his old age. Jacq gives Ramesses only three biological children: Kha'emweset, Meritamen (she being the only child of Nefertari, the two others being from Iset) and Merneptah. The other "children" are only young officials trained for government and who are nicknamed "sons of the pharaoh".
Christian Jacq is a French author and Egyptologist. He has written several novels about ancient Egypt, notably a five book suite about pharaoh Ramses II, a character whom Jacq admires greatly.
Jacq's interest in Egyptology began when he was thirteen, and read History of Ancient Egyptian Civilization by Jacques Pirenne. This inspired him to write his first novel. He first visited Egypt when he was seventeen, went on to study Egyptology and archaeology at the Sorbonne, and is now one of the world's leading Egyptologists.
By the time he was eighteen, he had written eight books. His first commercially successful book was Champollion the Egyptian, published in 1987. As of 2004 he has written over fifty books, including several non-fiction books on the subject of Egyptology.
He and his wife later founded the Ramses Institute, which is dedicated to creating a photographic description of Egypt for the preservation of endangered archaeological sites.
Between 1995-1997, he published his best selling five book suite Ramsès, which is today published in over twenty-five countries. Each volume encompasses one aspect of Ramesses' known historical life, woven into a fictional tapestry of the ancient world for an epic tale of love, life and deceit.
Jacq's series describes a vision of the life of the pharaoh: he has two vile power-hungry siblings, Shanaar, his decadent older brother, and Dolora, his corrupted older sister who married his teacher. In his marital life, he first has Isetnofret (Iset) as a mistress (second Great Wife), meets his true love Nefertari (first Great Wife) and after their death, gets married to Maetnefrure in his old age. Jacq gives Ramesses only three biological children: Kha'emweset, Meritamen (she being the only child of Nefertari, the two others being from Iset) and Merneptah. The other "children" are only young officials trained for government and who are nicknamed "sons of the pharaoh".
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 19, 2020
La aventura napoleónica en Egipto con todos los descubrimientos que iniciaron la ciencia de la egiptología siempre me ha parecido una época fascinante. Aquí Christian Jacq - egiptólogo y prolífico autor de bestsellers - novela la peripecia de Champollion, el descubridor de la piedra Rosetta, que permitió descifrar los jeroglíficos.
El tema es apasionante, pero la manera como el autor lo presenta no me convenció. Para mí hay demasiada influencia de Indiana Jones y poca verosimilitud histórica. En general las novelas de Christian Jacq no me gustan demasiado, a pesar de que el tema de Egipto me encanta.
He leído críticas de gente que no lo ha podido terminar y lo entiendo, porque la trama da muchas vueltas y se hace más largo que un día sin pan.
El tema es apasionante, pero la manera como el autor lo presenta no me convenció. Para mí hay demasiada influencia de Indiana Jones y poca verosimilitud histórica. En general las novelas de Christian Jacq no me gustan demasiado, a pesar de que el tema de Egipto me encanta.
He leído críticas de gente que no lo ha podido terminar y lo entiendo, porque la trama da muchas vueltas y se hace más largo que un día sin pan.
April 20, 2012
The book is about the race for public recognition to be the first to decipher the Egyption hieroglyphics on the Rosetta stone, which would in time open up a whole new branch in science. Christian Jacq really captures the Zeitgeist with this one, and tells the story with great insight, passion and also compassion for those involved. It may be hard for us to understand what it was like in the Victorian era, but with so many new discoveries being made in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th, we learned more during those short years than we had at any time in human existence.
The author captures the spirit of the age really well and the desire of self-made men like Champollion to shine and distinguish themselves is as real today as it was then. Rivalry between factions of scientists are also as common today as they were then and the bitchiness with which scientists and charlatans alike treat each other hasn't changed one bit.
A great holiday read for anyone interested in history in general and Egypt in particular. There are few authors who know their subject as well as Mr Jacq and his love for all things Egyptian really "jumps off the page".
The author captures the spirit of the age really well and the desire of self-made men like Champollion to shine and distinguish themselves is as real today as it was then. Rivalry between factions of scientists are also as common today as they were then and the bitchiness with which scientists and charlatans alike treat each other hasn't changed one bit.
A great holiday read for anyone interested in history in general and Egypt in particular. There are few authors who know their subject as well as Mr Jacq and his love for all things Egyptian really "jumps off the page".
December 22, 2017
I bought this book at a stall in Egypt last month. This story, based on fact, was an enjoyable read, since I had just been to many of the sites and could picture things in my mind. The book is a translation, and there are quite a few typos and flaws, but not so many that they detract from the story. Sometimes the story switched between autobiographical and a narrator, which was a bit odd. It was getting frustrating reading about all the roadblocks being put in Champollion's way, but my interest was maintained throughout. The main character's love of Egypt comes through vividly. Champollion was later acknowledged as the decipherer of hieroglyphics and the Founder and Father of Egyptology. I am glad to have learned about him.
April 30, 2018
Excelente novela, de verdad que Egipto tiene mucho que revelar:
April 5, 2021
Narración a manera de novela del viaje que realizó Jean-François Champollion en 1828 a Egipto, después de haber creado un código para descifrar los jeroglíficos.
En este relato lleno de misterios, intrigas, traiciones y logros; Champollion realiza un viaje desde Alejandría hasta Nubia, pasando por los principales templos y poblados egipcios, para después instalarse un tiempo más en la antigua Tebas. A lo largo del viaje, realiza importantes descubrimientos que lo ayudarán a perfeccionar su código, convirtiéndose así en el padre de la egiptología. En 1831, Champollion regresa a Francia para escribir su obra más importante, la "Gramática egicia", y muere unos meses después de diversas dolencias causadas por su viaje.
El libro lleva un ritmo que a veces resulta lento, aunque nunca dejó de parecerme interesante. Me gustó especialmente la descripción del país, pues hace que te sientas inmerso en sus místicos rincones y atardeceres de ensueño.
En este relato lleno de misterios, intrigas, traiciones y logros; Champollion realiza un viaje desde Alejandría hasta Nubia, pasando por los principales templos y poblados egipcios, para después instalarse un tiempo más en la antigua Tebas. A lo largo del viaje, realiza importantes descubrimientos que lo ayudarán a perfeccionar su código, convirtiéndose así en el padre de la egiptología. En 1831, Champollion regresa a Francia para escribir su obra más importante, la "Gramática egicia", y muere unos meses después de diversas dolencias causadas por su viaje.
El libro lleva un ritmo que a veces resulta lento, aunque nunca dejó de parecerme interesante. Me gustó especialmente la descripción del país, pues hace que te sientas inmerso en sus místicos rincones y atardeceres de ensueño.
August 3, 2013
An interesting story, loosely based to the real life genius Jean-Francois Champollions travels to Egypt. The book is a manifest for the meaning of passion and dedication in achieving something great. It also serves as a showcase for Christian Jacq's love and knowledge of the ancient history of Egypt. (The main theme in his other novels.)
February 7, 2017
Aburridisimo libro sobre Champollion y su viaje por Egipto. Lo he abandonado cuando llevaba más de la mitad del libro porque no he conseguido entrar en el relato. En todo lo que he leído no ha pasado absolutamente nada. Peñazo.
August 21, 2018
Livre intéressant avec des informations intéressantes sur l'ancienne égypte. De plus j'en ai appris un peu plus sur l'homme qu'étais Champollion, autre qu'avec ce que j'ai appris à l'école il y a des lustres. Le côté roman est sympathique, assez entrainant, légèrement Indiana Jonesque. Cependant, je suis assez triste qu'il n'y ai pas eu plus de moments sur la pierre de rosette. J'aurais adoré en savoir plus. Après, je m'y connais peu en histoire et l'histoire de Champollion, du coup je ne sais pas où se trouve la venue de la pierre par rapport à cette histoire.
Gros point négatif, le personnage féminin qui est écrit avec le cul et qui est énervante comme pas possible.
En bref, livre sympathique mais je suis un peu déçue de la fin.
Gros point négatif, le personnage féminin qui est écrit avec le cul et qui est énervante comme pas possible.
En bref, livre sympathique mais je suis un peu déçue de la fin.
January 31, 2022
The novel "Champollion the Egyptian" by Christian Jacq is just at the first look an Egyptian book. French egyptologist Jean-François Champollion visits his soul-homecountry. He is fascinated by the old monuments, workes on his dictionary of Egyptian hieroglyphs and is the researcher, whose thoughts on Egytian mythology, wisdom and philosophy are Jacq's own knowledge and thinking in reality. So the novel gets an anachronistic touch on history, which is not critisiceable in a work of fiction. But it can be noticed. And it happens, that Jacq might write about Champollion in Egypt, he clearly writes a FRENCH novel with a colonial view on his favourite country. This is noticeable, too, and to be criticised. Might be that people call it "Zeitgeist". Me not.
January 2, 2022
Her ne kadar gerçekçi bilgiler üzerine inşa edildiğini düşündüğüm bir tarihsel kurgu olsa da yazarın, süreci heyecanlı hâle getiremediğini ve kurguyu çok zayıf bıraktığını, roman boyunca Champollion'un başına gelen şeyleri "haydi şimdi de buraya bir olay koyayım da hareket olsun" diye koyduğunu düşündüm. Nil boyunca hareket ettikleri mekanlara dair bir haritanın iç sayfalara iliştirilmiş olması hiç olmamasından iyidir dedirtti ancak dil akmadığı için belki non-fiction bir eser olarak kaleme alınsa daha faydalı olur hatta elden düşürülmeden bitirilebilir diye düşündürdü.
September 29, 2018
Leí este libro en mi infancia. Me encantó. Es un viaje fascinante por Egipto, y los personajes son tan entrañables y están tan bien trabajados que se les coge cariño a todos, incluso a los más canallas. La pasión febril de Jean-François Champollion por la tierra de los faraones queda patente en cada una de sus páginas. Y el final... Aún se me hace un nudo en la garganta al recordarlo. Si te gusta Egipto y su patrimonio milenario, lo disfrutarás muchísimo.
July 8, 2021
The story is great at transporting you to Egypt, the past, & the possibilitys of the past.
Plot wise, the story was all build up to a disappointing resolution. The adventure was in the subterfuge, which ended in pococurantism.
Plot wise, the story was all build up to a disappointing resolution. The adventure was in the subterfuge, which ended in pococurantism.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2021
Me ha encantado. Al principio no me ha enganchado demasiado, pero conforme ha ido avanzando la historia me he metido muy dentro. Todo el tema de Egipto siempre me ha llamado la atención y leer la historia de cómo se descifraron los jeroglíficos me ha parecido muy interesante.
October 14, 2024
Un libro de transición, un poco el primero que pille en la estantería . Me ha dejado un poco indiferente, diría que la historia de Egipto no me acaba de interesar para leerme un libro de 400 paginas lleno de referencias a eso.
February 5, 2025
La première moitié du livre m'a bien plu mais j'ai eu plus de mal avec la seconde moitié. Je n'ai pas été convaincue par les histoires sans doute assez imaginaires de complots et menaces et agacée par certains personnages. Au final, j'ai été déçue par ce livre.
July 26, 2018
Not the best example of Jacq's writing expertise, but definitely an awesome an entertaining read. 8/10 overall, but make no mistake, this is a book worthy of your time.
Thanks.
G.
Thanks.
G.
October 13, 2019
Too many typos but still didn't distract from this being mostly waffle.
August 2, 2021
No me transporta completamente al momento y lugar, pero me crea un gran interés por el tema .
August 4, 2021
No lo acabé
January 27, 2025
Hieman ”lapsekas”, mutta myös osuva ajankuvauksena
November 16, 2010
Essendo da sempre interessata all'Antico Egitto, ho letto un paio di libri di Jacq, ma nessuno dei suoi romanzi. Credo di aver iniziato un paio di volte Ramses ma non ho superato pagina 20.
Poi mi è capitato l'occhio su questo libro. Adoro Champollion, l'ho studiato ed è una figura che mi affascina tantissimo.
Che dire? Sarebbe un libro con enormi potenzialità, ma dal mio punto di vista alcune scelte dell'autore lo rovinano.
Jean-François Champollion è colui che ha dato i natali all'egittologia scientifica e ha decifrato i geroglifici. Fin da giovanissimo era affascinato dalla cultura egizia,
Quest'ultima era da poco stata riscoperta grazie alle campagne napoleoniche e agli splendidi disegni di Dominique Vivant Denon, un pittore che seguì le truppe disegnando tutto ciò che trovava attorno a lui.
I geroglifici sembravano essere una scrittura basata su ideogrammi ma indecifrabile, tuttavia Champollion, che conosceva latino, greco, ebraico, arabo, aramaico, copto e numerosi dialetti egiziani, trovò la chiave della decifrazione. Semplicemente i geroglifici non sono ideogarmmi, ma allo stesso tempo lettere, sillabe e ideogrammi... complicato, vero?
Champollion andò in Egitto una sola volta, aveva circa 40 anni. Morì un paio di anni dopo. Questo libro è il resoconto di questa spedizione. L'autore nella prefazione dice di esseresi attenuto ai diari e alle lettere di Champollion nella maggior parte dei casi, poi ha un po' romanzato il tutto.
Il romanzo inizia bene. C'è suspence, si intravedono complotti, si delineano allenaze e rivalità, sembra affiorare una piccola storia d'amore.
Poi crolla. Inizia una parte esoterica (con sette segrete, allucinazioni, rivelazioni del dio Thot ecc) che proprio non mi piace.
Finisce con la storia d'amore non realizzata, il complotto svelato ma in maniera insoddisfacente e la rivalità, che ci si aspettava finisse con uno scontro, interrotta per le dimissioni della persona interessata.
Le atmosfere, la delineazione del personaggio e il racconto del viaggio sono bellissimi. Ma date le premesse mi aspettavo qualcosina di più.
Poi mi è capitato l'occhio su questo libro. Adoro Champollion, l'ho studiato ed è una figura che mi affascina tantissimo.
Che dire? Sarebbe un libro con enormi potenzialità, ma dal mio punto di vista alcune scelte dell'autore lo rovinano.
Jean-François Champollion è colui che ha dato i natali all'egittologia scientifica e ha decifrato i geroglifici. Fin da giovanissimo era affascinato dalla cultura egizia,
Quest'ultima era da poco stata riscoperta grazie alle campagne napoleoniche e agli splendidi disegni di Dominique Vivant Denon, un pittore che seguì le truppe disegnando tutto ciò che trovava attorno a lui.
I geroglifici sembravano essere una scrittura basata su ideogrammi ma indecifrabile, tuttavia Champollion, che conosceva latino, greco, ebraico, arabo, aramaico, copto e numerosi dialetti egiziani, trovò la chiave della decifrazione. Semplicemente i geroglifici non sono ideogarmmi, ma allo stesso tempo lettere, sillabe e ideogrammi... complicato, vero?
Champollion andò in Egitto una sola volta, aveva circa 40 anni. Morì un paio di anni dopo. Questo libro è il resoconto di questa spedizione. L'autore nella prefazione dice di esseresi attenuto ai diari e alle lettere di Champollion nella maggior parte dei casi, poi ha un po' romanzato il tutto.
Il romanzo inizia bene. C'è suspence, si intravedono complotti, si delineano allenaze e rivalità, sembra affiorare una piccola storia d'amore.
Poi crolla. Inizia una parte esoterica (con sette segrete, allucinazioni, rivelazioni del dio Thot ecc) che proprio non mi piace.
Finisce con la storia d'amore non realizzata, il complotto svelato ma in maniera insoddisfacente e la rivalità, che ci si aspettava finisse con uno scontro, interrotta per le dimissioni della persona interessata.
Le atmosfere, la delineazione del personaggio e il racconto del viaggio sono bellissimi. Ma date le premesse mi aspettavo qualcosina di più.
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July 25, 2011siempre entretenido. Christian Jacq es un autor especializado en novela histórica sobre el antiguo Egipto
July 19, 2013
Décavant. Cette vie de Champollion ne m'a pas appris beaucoup, et je n'ai aucunement retrouvé la magie de la plume de Christian Jacq que j'avais tant appréciée dans la série de Ramsès.
February 7, 2018
Fue uno de los primeros libros sobre Egipto que leí y definitivamente fue el responsable de mi amor por esa cultura y por el autor
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November 4, 2015Libro totalmente aburrido en el que no aprendés nada de Egipto.
August 26, 2023
Assez intéressant pour ceux qui aiment l'égyptologie et l'histoire des sciences. L'auteur est un grand connaisseur de l'Égypte antique et un très bon communicateur.
July 16, 2024
Une des plus belles biographies sur Champollion.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews