Marie Benedict’s new historical novel, Daughter of Egypt is an amazing look at two astonishing women, born 3,000 years apart during very different time periods in the world. But, although their life experiences were of course very different, their core values, single-mindedness and strong personalities in the face of men who looked at them as worthless helped them to become strong, purposeful women. One of the women will search history for the other and question why she seemed to be hidden. The other will be strong willed and have to make difficult decisions but be determined as she rules Egypt.
Lady Evelyn Hebert lived in England with her wealthy parents. Her father made pilgrimages to Egypt to collect trinkets from the Pyramids. Lady Evelyn’s fascination caught the eye of her father’s partner, Howard Carter, who not only respected Lady Evelyn’s opinions, but considered her his equal. She began going on excavations with her father and Carter. She had a keen eye. In particular Lady Evelyn had a fascination with a woman, a Pharoah who lived 3,000 years before named Hatshepsut. As hard as she tried, she could not find any information on her reign and although she found little artifacts of Hatshepsut, she could not discover her burial place.
The story revolves around both women’s lives each with their own chapters. Their rises and falls, of course very different, yet with so much similarity. Including the men they will love and how they are supported by them.
Hatshepsut was born into Egyptian royalty. Her father a Pharoah. Never imagining anything in her life except marriage and children, she is suddenly thrust into the politics of life due to unforeseen circumstances. She now must learn to rule but keep her family safe. And so, she begins a reign which by all accounts was indeed successful. The mystery of it all…why has she been hidden from history?
Lady Evelyn is an unknown self-made archeologist who becomes well respected. She was actually the first person to enter the tomb of King Tut. Lady Evelyn is but a little blip in the history of discovering tombs in Egypt, but because of her intelligence she had a silent impact during this time.
One woman ruled openly, the other silently yet determined. Through Benedict’s impeccable research both of them seem to be cut from the same cloth. Perhaps that’s why Lady Evelyn tried so hard to find Hatshepsut.
But more fascinating, why has Hatshepsut been left out of history? Could it be for no other reason than she was a woman? Or is there another story which was never told.
Daughter of Egypt is a fascinating look at two women earning them both the title of daughter of Egypt for different reasons. Yet, their strengths, resolve and power make both of them important female influencers way before their times.
Thank you #NetGalley #St.Martin’sPress #MarieBenedict #DaughterofEgypt for the advanced copy.
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