Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Child of the Morning

4.14 of 5 stars 4.14 · rating details · 1,117 ratings · 98 reviews

She ruled Egpyt not as Queen but as Pharaoh, thirty five centuries ago. Yet her name--Hatshepsut--does not appear in dynastic scrolls, nor is her reign celebrated on monuments. This is the story of the young woman who assumed the throne of Egypt, mastered the arts of war and government, lived her life by her own design, and ruled an empire--the only woman Pharaoh in histor...more

Paperback, 403 pages

Published July 1st 2003 by Soho Press (first published 1977)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best Egyptian Historical Fiction

6th out of 92 books — 104 voters

Best Books About Egypt

15th out of 285 books — 260 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 24, 2011 Isis rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Isis by: No one

Shelves: cream-of-the-crop, bronze-age-5000-to-1100bce-fiction

Getting the sole bad point about this book out of the way first, some of the information on which Gedge bases the book we now know is inaccurate. Gedge, for example, has an enmity between Hatshepsut and Thothmes III, her nephew/step-son. This enmity was previously deduced from the evidence that the erasure of Hatshepsut's names from the king list occurred in Thothmes III's reign. But we know at present date that the chiselling out of her name occurred at the very end of his reign - hardly a rash...more Getting the sole bad point about this book out of the way first, some of the information on which Gedge bases the book we now know is inaccurate. Gedge, for example, has an enmity between Hatshepsut and Thothmes III, her nephew/step-son. This enmity was previously deduced from the evidence that the erasure of Hatshepsut's names from the king list occurred in Thothmes III's reign. But we know at present date that the chiselling out of her name occurred at the very end of his reign - hardly a rash act of impassioned hatred for his stepmother. Rather, it now appears that he had her names erased simply because a female Pharaoh contravened the idea of Ma'at (the Egyptian idea of order and the right way of things), and not because of any personal grudge or enmity. We also know now that whilst Hatshepsut claims in her monuments that her father, Thothmes I, intended for her to succeed him, this is a claim after the event, and no evidence from the actual time suggests anything other than Thothmes intended for his son to become the next Pharaoh. Hatshepsut made this claim years after the actual event, in order to reinforce her right to the Double Crown. There's a very good reason why I haven't marked the book down, despite this, whereas I might count it against a recently released novel, and that's because at the time Gedge was writing this book, in the mid-70's, the accepted theory of the time was exactly as Gedge portrays it and she can hardly be faulted for discoveries years and decades later revealing to us that this was not the case.

Hatshepsut, the protagonist, more than has the personality to carry the book. A young girl robust, curious, and outspoken, she grows into a woman driven, determined, and diligent. Hers is a strong personality, and she carries herself with a confidence and complete belief in her right to be Pharaoh as the Daughter of Amun. Common sense combines with intelligence to produce a diligent governance of Egypt. Her dominant personality overshadows everyone around her, especially other women - even when compared to Aset, who undoubtedly has her own physical appeals. Her submission to Thothmes, however, instead of getting rid of him, is somewhat disappointing, although of course Gedge had to stick to historical accuracy. Senmut is undoubtedly the secondary character, and some of the action is seen through his eyes, when we are not looking over Hatshepsut's shoulder. The controversial advisor has been portrayed here by Gedge as likable, rather than ambitious, and indeed he is. From a humble peasant, to we'eb priest, to architect, and hereditary prince, we are cheering for his rise throughout. His loyalty to Hatshepsut is absolute, as she is both cause of his good fortune, the woman he loves, and the upholder of Ma'at in Egypt.

Thothmes II is not an unlikable character, but he is certainly not one of admiration. He is lazy and enjoys a living in the lap of luxury. He struggles with both his academic education and his martial training, and even as Pharaoh he shies away from the tasks of government and going into battle personally. And yet Thothmes is more perceptive than most of the other characters give him credit for, and where he is a mouse in battle, Hatshepsut is surprised to find that he is a man in the bedroom, with a certain quality of charisma in this arena. Aset is another character worthy of note. She is sharp, like Hatshepsut, but where Hatshepsut is intelligent, she is cunning, where Hatshepsut exerts her authority in the open, she cultivates it insidiously behind bedroom doors... both dangerous but in different ways.

Thothmes III is the antagonist to Hatshepsut's protagonist at the end of the book, but in many ways he is a lot like her. He's incredibly sharp and intelligent, he takes an active hand in the governance of Egypt, he excels in both academic and martial pursuits, and holds a confidence all his own. The only difference is that he seems to be much more eager for war, where as Hatshepsut promotes peace. I would disagree with this portrayal though. At the time Gedge wrote the book the idea of Hatshepsut as a female ruler avoiding war and promoting peace, and Thothmes III as a red-blooded male war-monger, was a very popular perspective, but the truth was quite different. Hatshepsut never shied away from war, and did not promote peace because of her femininity, in fact she recognised that being a war leader was an important part of being Pharaoh. Conversely, Thothmes, though he was indeed a warrior-king, did not ruin Egypt with war, but won many victories and conquered for Egypt a sizeable empire. In any case, this creation of strong opponents to face Hatshepsut brought the tension of the story alive.

There's a good dose of action, but the book is more heavily weighted by character relationships. As with all of her books, Gedge makes sure that all her characters are fleshed out and given depth and realism, and don't appear as stereotypes, caricatures, or shallow and two-dimensional. Dialogue perfectly suits each character, not a line out of place. It's obvious that Gedge spends a lot of time and care in creating her characters, and by the time the book is published knows them like the back of her hand. Altogether, her research was, as ever, extensive and contributes to the wonderful level of detail in the descriptions - environments brought to vivid life, rich and fascinating culture of Ancient Egypt, and the vital characters.(less)

like 7 likes · see review

Mar 18, 2013 Alex Ronk rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Forma parte de una colección de libros de Reader's Digest que está en la familia desde hace varios años, he leído dos hasta ahora y si decidí leer La Dama del Nilo fue porque trata sobre la cultura egipcia y es una de las cosas que me apasiona bastante, así que pensé que sería entretenido e interesante leer sobre una princesa de la que honestamente no sabía nada y eso es porque de acuerdo a lo que leí en la biografía de la autora no se sabe mucho de Hatshepsut debido a su sobrino/hijo quien mand...more

like · see review

Feb 26, 2013 Lisa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club

As a fan of Michelle Moran and a devotee of historical fiction, I expected to love this book. Wholeheartedly. Unabashedly. But several pages in, I found myself struggling not only to like it, but to pick it up again once I had put it down. Uh-oh. With a book that spans more than 400 pages, that reluctance is a bad omen, indeed.

While Ms. Gedge provides a scenic background that very nearly transports one to ancient Egypt and colors her characters with a revealing, delicate, fine brush, I'm sorry t...more

like · see review

Feb 25, 2011 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: historical-fiction, ultimate-reading-list, favorites, fiction, novels

I loved this book from when I first discovered it in my teens. It's a novel of Hatshepsut, the only woman to ever reign as Pharaoh, and it's vivid and lush without ever being purple, conjuring up a distant land that was as, the forward notes, as ancient to the Caesars as they are to us--she ruled 3,500 years ago. Gedge does a wonderful job of bringing that land and its people to the mind's eye. When Hatshepsut discusses her temple with her lover architect, Senmut (still in existence) it's descri...more

like · see review

Jan 17, 2012 Forgotten Realms Queen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction, ancient-egyptian

I first read Pauline Gedge when I was in high school about ten years ago. I found this book (same cover ironically..) on the shelves and picked it up. I loved it from the first page, and devoured it within a few days.

I became a fan of her work with this book, and have read several other novels of hers since. I however have not picked up Child of the Morning until now, ten years later. This is only my second reading, ten years apart, but I remember this book like it was only last week I read it....more

like · see review

Oct 08, 2011 Laura Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourites

I actually discovered this book when it first came out in the 1970's - it was the first transition book that I read coming from children's fiction to adult fiction. Okay, if I hadn't already been an Egyptian freak who had read a lot of non-fiction Egyptian books then the scene between Hatshepsut and her father as the God might have been a bit much. But I was prepared for the different morals particularly with regard to the role of pharaoh. That is only the smallest part of my recollections about...more

like · see review

Feb 19, 2009 Aaronlisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have read this book more times than I can remember starting when I was about sixteen and still in high school. Child of the Morning is probably one of the very first books that I can remember that actually moved me emotionally. It's powerful in it's imagery and emotions.

To qoute Penguin Canada's website: A chronicle of passionate intrigue and sensuous exoticism, Child of the Morning resurrects the life of the awesome Hatshepsut, the only woman pharaoh of ancient Egypt, whose name was erased f...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 13, 2012 Francoise McKay rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was the first book that introduced me to the works of Pauline Gedge back when I was a freshman in college. I have tried to read absolutely everything that Pauline Gedge has written since, and it is all still nothing less than incredible.

I have also read anything and everything that I could get my hands on that was fiction set in ancient Egypt. Everything else pales by comparison. Gedge, far and away has done impeccable research and has painted the most realistic picture of Ancient Egypt in...more

like · see review

Oct 09, 2009 Tara Chevrestt rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, women-that-really-existed-fiction, egypt

This is one of those novels I call a half and half.. I enjoyed half it tremendously, but I found the other half incredibly boring. The parts I enjoyed consisted of Hatshepsut going to war and showing the men what she was made of, the rare but special moments with her architect lover, the way she put people in their place, especially her husband, and just the persistency this woman showed in holding on to her crown, even tho she was a "mere woman." The parts I did not enjoy were mainly "Amun this...more

like · see review

Feb 07, 2012 Carina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, hist-egypt, great-heroine, i-bawled-like-a-baby, reviewed, histfic, gave-me-wings

I will be honest. I cried at the end. Yes! I did! That's how much I loved this book. I loved how the main character was strong and did not back down from the challenge society set upon her, how she interacted in the politics (view spoiler). I really loved the interaction the main character had with others (view spoiler). Even though it is a bit lengthl...more

like 1 like · see review

Apr 18, 2011 Love-anne Laq rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This i believe was my first read when i initially moved to Canada and i feel blessed to have found and read it. I've always had a thing for Egyptian history and myths and this was a great introduction to the Egyptians ancient way of life. Pauline Gedge did an amazing job with this novel as i found myself drawn with the way she developed her characters, the twists and turns, the betrayals, the pain, the death...... When i started this book, i fell in love with it to the point were i spent all day...more

like · see review

Mar 30, 2011 Jessi Hafeman rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The language of this is so poetic. "The night folded around them with a sweetness and poignancy heightened by the new pale stars that prickled silver fire in the water of the lily ponds, by the scented winds, and by the nearness of each other." Wow! Lovely.

Gedge is vivid in her descriptions of the ancient land and the lifestyle. Her narrative is rich and beautiful. Conversely, this could also cause the story to drag a bit. And while some things are richly defined, other moments (like the raisin...more

like · see review

Apr 13, 2011 Gaile rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: egypt

This book had a slow start but I became absorbed in it the deeper I read. I thought the end was too long and boring. this book was published in 1977 before we had proof that Hatshepsut was murdered. She was probably murdered right along with her chief ministers. For near twenty-five to thirty years, Hatshepsut ruled Egypt, kept it a land of peace and proserity. She allowed no wars, no conquests but in the end she had to give way to her heir, Thohtmose III who had dreams of great conquest.
Hatshep...more

like · see review

Oct 02, 2012 Andrea rated it 3 of 5 stars

I had great expectations of this book. I have read all of Michelle Morans's wonderful books on ancient Egypt, and the subject of this novel is so fascinating - the only female Pharaoh, Hatshepsut. But I was disappointed because there was really very little of a personal story. The book was filled with endless descriptions of ancient Egyptian rituals and religious rites. I found that I couldn't care or be engaged with these descriptions. After all, this was a novel, there should have been more e...more

like · see review

Aug 08, 2011 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the last Egyptian queen book I could get my hands on, and I really enjoyed it. It is on the long side, but the story is good, so you keep lugging away at it. The language used is very descriptive, and I had a clear image in my mind of the events and the people. Like most powerful queens, our Hatshepsut meets a tragic end, but her life was so grand that it’s hard to imagine that that kind of happiness and prosperity could last forever in any land, let alone Egypt at the time of this story...more

like · see review

Oct 17, 2012 Eccentrika rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, biography, drama, historical

E' difficile giudicare un romanzo come questo, in quanto l'importanza storica che ricopre è talmente grande da elevarlo a una spanna rispetto agli altri libri. L'autrice Pauline Gedge con "La figlia del mattino" cerca di riportare alla memoria un personaggio importantissimo per la storia egiziana, il cui ricordo è stato volutamente e ingiustamente profanato e vandalizzato, con il fine ultimo di cancellarne il ricordo. Ma fortunatamente non tutto è andato perduto e con accurate ricerche l'autrice...more E' difficile giudicare un romanzo come questo, in quanto l'importanza storica che ricopre è talmente grande da elevarlo a una spanna rispetto agli altri libri. L'autrice Pauline Gedge con "La figlia del mattino" cerca di riportare alla memoria un personaggio importantissimo per la storia egiziana, il cui ricordo è stato volutamente e ingiustamente profanato e vandalizzato, con il fine ultimo di cancellarne il ricordo. Ma fortunatamente non tutto è andato perduto e con accurate ricerche l'autrice è riuscita a ricostruire la sua storia, a trarne un romanzo credibile e veritiero di ciò che è accaduto in quel tempo lontano durante la dinastia egizia.
Quando si parla di donne che sono state sovrane nell'antico Egitto tutti noi abbiamo nella mente un solo e famoso nome: Cleopatra. In realtà questo è un dato errato. Cleopatra infatti non fu mai unica sovrana d'Egitto, ma regnò insieme al padre, al fratello, al marito e al figlio. La protagonista di questo libro invece fu l'UNICA e vera donna sovrana d'Egitto, l'unica donna che riuscì ad essere incoronata come FARAONE, contro la stessa legge egiziana che stabiliva che il faraone dovesse essere uomo, nessuna eccezione.
Hatshepsut, figlia del faraone Thutmose I, sfidò ogni legge con grande coraggio e ancora più grande abilità. Dimostrò di essere capace di ricoprire ogni ruolo fosse necessario meglio di qualsiasi uomo e fu già suo padre a rendersi conto delle sue incredibili doti e a lasciarle il trono, nonostante avesse già un erede maschio. Ma non bastò il volere di un faraone a darle la corona. Come si sa le donne devono lottare innumerevoli volte in più per affermare il proprio valore e Hatshepsut dovette scontrarsi con un vero e proprio muro di dissensi e negazioni, la sua vita fu tempestata di difficoltà e questo romanzo ci narra proprio questo: la sua continua ed incessante lotta per affermarsi, per farsi rispettare. Inutile dire che non troverete in questo libro una lettura di svago, ma una vera e propria ricostruzione biografica (seppur romanza) di Hatshepsut. Addentrarsi all'interno di queste 480 pagine è come fare un lungo viaggio in un luogo e in un'epoca distantissima e in alcuni casi molto difficile da comprendere. Però, nonostante la densità delle nozioni e le lunghe descrizioni che rendono lenti alcuni passaggi, è un libro altamente affascinante, avvincente, interessantissimo anche per chi, come me, non ha una spiccata conoscenza della storia egiziana. Anzi, ammetto di non aver mai letto nulla sull'Egitto (a parte gli ormai remoti testi scolastici che sono già finiti nel dimenticatoio). La storia di Hatshepsut invece è una storia capace di rimanere impressa nella mente a lungo, fosse anche solo per l'indignazione e la rabbia che la lettura fa scaturire. Quel senso d'impotenza e infinita tristezza che accompagnano le pagine finali sono poi una vera e propria scossa elettrica di emozioni negative. Certo, sarebbe stato bello il contrario, ma la storia di Hatshepsut non è un romanzo allegro e spensierato e ha invece il potere di rimanere sullo stomaco come un macigno.
"La figlia del mattino" è in definitiva un romanzo intenso, accurato, appassionante, più doloroso di quanto mi aspettassi, non adatto a chi cerca un antidepressivo, ma secondo me vale davvero la pena leggerlo.(less)

like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 Diana Wilder rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: egypt-fiction

Lusciously written, lots of detail - but I had trouble getting beyond the speeches of one of the characters:

"She is not as beautiful as I, but she is well enough."

"This is the place where you will build my temple. A place as beautiful and sacred as I."

"With you I am not King, but merely Chief Among Noble Women."

(I should mention that the reader, even one who takes exception to these speeches, never doubts for a moment that Hatshepsut believes what she says, is all for the good of Egypt, and is w...more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 06, 2012 Nieva21 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hatshepsut is a child in the beginning of the novel. She dearly loves her sister Neferu. Neferu is betrothed to Thothmes (her half brother). The betrothal is to ensure that he is made Pharaoh, because the daughters' (Hatshepsut and Neferu's) blood have direct connection to Ra and Amun (two omnipotent Gods). In order to assure Thothme's blood is joined with the Gods and he will rule Egypt justly as is the destiny of the Gods' will this marriage is set to take place. However, the differences betwe...more Hatshepsut is a child in the beginning of the novel. She dearly loves her sister Neferu. Neferu is betrothed to Thothmes (her half brother). The betrothal is to ensure that he is made Pharaoh, because the daughters' (Hatshepsut and Neferu's) blood have direct connection to Ra and Amun (two omnipotent Gods). In order to assure Thothme's blood is joined with the Gods and he will rule Egypt justly as is the destiny of the Gods' will this marriage is set to take place. However, the differences between the sisters are duley noted. Neferu doesn't wish to marry Thothmes. In a vain attempt to be free of him and her obligations, she poisons herself. Next, Hatshepsut is speaking with Thothmes I (her father, the namesake of her half brother) about his new wish for her to be Crown Prince of Egypt and soon the Pharaoh after he dies. The conditions arise in her new obligation to marry Thothmes II after her sister's death. In this unexpected turn of events Hatshepsut is now going to be Queen of the Nile (assured by her marriage to Thothmes II), Second Daughter of Amun (direct decendent), and Pharaoh of Egypt (the second woman pharaoh ever in history). Aahomes (Hatshepsut's mother) frowns upon her reign as Pharaoh because she feels that it will only be conditionally accepted until her husband dies. She lobbies for Hatshepsut to marry Thothmes II (a safe move) and succomb to her royal role. But Hatshepsut will not be told what to do when she has ambitions and wishes to serve both God, her father, and rule all of Egypt. Her strength and tenacity is felt and feared by all who come into contact. Hatshepsut meets Senmut, a we'bed priest who saves her from drowning right after her sister's death. He is there for her and loves her no matter how nice or cruel she is to him. This love and compassion touches Hatshepsut's heart. In an attempt to be close to Senmut, she sends for him and has him study the sacred scrolls taught to him by Ineni (his official royal tutor). Senmut's station in life advances and he is closer to his love Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut commissions him with Benya (an architect), to construct and build her a royal monument as a tribute to her future rule.
The beginning wasn't that good... but it has gotten really good so far especially with the journey that Hatshepsut, Thothmes and her father are making, taking her away from Senmut her love. Summary: Pharoah must be a man. Thothmes I, has a weak-willed, carousing son, Thothmes II, who he fears will destroy all that Thothmes I has built if he becomes Pharaoh. He also has a strong, clever, ambitious daughter, Hapshepset. Thothmes II wants to be Pharaoh for the riches and the prestige. He has no interest in affairs of state, military matters, or serving the Egyptian people. Hapshepset, is interested in the things that her brother isn't; she, thus, wants to become Pharaoh to care for Egypt and it's people. Against all custom, her father decides to teach her to rule Egypt. She becomes Crown Prince at age 15. She rules as Crown Prince, until her father dies. Then the politicians and her brother insist that she let her brother become Pharaoh. However,the Pharaoh's blood line runs through the women and to rule Thothmes II must marry a royal princess. Thothmes and Hap are half-brother and half- sister and ironically she is the only royal princess.
It is typically, historically accurate as well,for such marriages to occur. This marriage causes Hap to rebel. However, her efforts toward rebellion quickly dissolve when Thothmes promises her she can continue to rule from behind the scenes as long as she let's him carry the mantle of Pharaoh.(less)

like · see review

Feb 03, 2011 Nikki rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: cleopatra-and-egypt, historical-fiction, own, 2011

I found this novel difficult to judge. It is 2.5 stars for me. Something felt missing from the book and I could not quite put my finger on it. The characters felt as though they were at a distance, I never felt a full grasp of them or cared very much for them. The shifting viewpoints took away from the story in my opinion, it would have been better told simply from someone close to Hatshepsut or from Hatshepsut’s viewpoint only.

The novel was originally written in 1977, which leaves a great deal...more I found this novel difficult to judge. It is 2.5 stars for me. Something felt missing from the book and I could not quite put my finger on it. The characters felt as though they were at a distance, I never felt a full grasp of them or cared very much for them. The shifting viewpoints took away from the story in my opinion, it would have been better told simply from someone close to Hatshepsut or from Hatshepsut’s viewpoint only.

The novel was originally written in 1977, which leaves a great deal of time since them for archeologists to discover more facts about Hatshepsut and her reign. I do wonder what Gedge actually had to work with at the time, I feel it would give me greater ability to judge the novel. As it is, the novel felt incomplete in a way--perhaps due to lack of inclusions Gedge should have made or Gedge's inability to replace what history has not left us (or what we have yet to discover).

I found out after reading the novel that Gedge wrote this novel in a very short period of time, in less than two months. I dare say that could have contributed to what I felt was missing. At times you did feel as though Gedge took a fact from history and simply inserted it even if it did not flow with the story.

A few things really bothered me about the novel. For instance, there were no dates given in the novel whatsoever. This was very annoying, as the time frame of Hatshepsut is known (at least general dates). Time passed without mention except to say "two years later" and such without any smooth transition in my opinion. It left you feeling like there was a gap, such as Gedge not having any historical events in which to include. It could have been handled more smoothly.

Also, there were no maps, family lineage, time frames or anything of the such included in the book. I wonder if the most recently published book differs in this capacity. I also wonder if Gedge altered anything to improve the novel in terms of what has been discovered since 1977?

BTW, the figure on the cover of this particular edition is from the Fourth Dynasty, Hatshepsut is from the EIGHTEENTH Dynasty. Very frustrating! This individual is NOT Hatshepsut and there is only about a thousand years between them. *sigh* Don't do such things publishers, I'm sure there was something better available at the time. (less)

like · see review

Oct 04, 2010 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone and history lovers

I learned a lot about the history of Egypt from this book. I was floored that one of the most successful and innovative Pharaohs was a female. I love the character of Hatshepsut, and her cleverness, strength, intelligence, and yes arrogance. I don't think this character would have worked had she not been a bit pompous. She is the incarnation of God on earth, so one is bound to think most highly of themselves in that position. This gives you insight into the rituals of daily life as a royal or el...more

like · see review

Jun 18, 2009 Awallens rated it 4 of 5 stars

She ruled Egypt not as Queen but as Pharaoh, 35 centuries ago. Yet her name-Hatshepsut-does not appear in dynastic scrolls, nor is her reign celebrated on monuments. This is the story of the young woman who assumed the throne of Egypt, mastered the arts of war and government, lived her life by her own design, and ruled an empire-the only woman Pharaoh in history.
this book was fabulous. I feel it could have been a bit shorter, but at the same time the descriptions of Egyptian life were so good I...more

like · see review

Nov 27, 2010 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Nov 29, 2011 Saqqara rated it 5 of 5 stars

I enjoy the way this author writes. Her discritions seem to take you back in time to ancient Egypt. I also like her different perspectives on historical characters. I don't always agree with her but she definitely makes me feel something about her subjects & events. I think that's the mark of a good author, not only are you drawn in to their world & they make you laugh or cry, angry or surprised & at the end you've had an entertaining read.

like · see review

Dec 27, 2011 Marlene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: egypt, favourites

Read this book decades ago when I was in my late teens, and was totally enchanted. I've always liked biographies, and especially those set in Egypt, for whatever reason. This book, having been re-read many times over the years and eventually bought, is one of my most treasured books. The characters are fully rounded and very believable. And the descriptions of scenes, nature, history and the like really appealed to me.

like · see review

Jan 07, 2011 Margot rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Once upon a time, a girl who didn't like reading at all. Yes, I'm talking about me. A long time ago, I didn't like reading so much but this book makes me love reading. I have always had a passion for Egypt since I'm a little child and the story of Hatchepsout, the wonderful, beautiful, magnificent queen fascinated me. I just stop reading for sleeping and for nothing else. I love the setting, the characters, the complexity of the relationship the characters are involved in. We almost feel the kha...more

like 1 like · see review

Oct 12, 2011 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone, women

Recommended to Rebecca by: my mother

Shelves: read-over-and-over-again

Colorful, humorous at times, dramatic and poetic.
One of my over all favorite books,kindly given to me by my mother sometime in my early teens.
I am very fond of it.

Jag läste denna bok för första gången år 2007, på semester i gambia, översatt till svenska. Även om jag föredrar att läsa böcker av engelsk talande författare på engelska.
Fastnade för boken direkt och läste ut den på ungefär två dagar.

like · see review

Nov 01, 2011 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-favourites

I've read all of Pauline Gedge's books, and this one was by far my favourite. Even though it was an easy read, the prose was lovely, and it had me bawling like a baby at the end of it (impressive, since it's not really a long book!). If you like historical fiction or books with strong female characters, this one is worth picking up. I've read it a couple of times.

like · see review

May 15, 2012 C.B. rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite books. I've read it several times already and I still love it as much as I did the first time around. It's a romanticized version of the life of a real woman who ruled Egypt in the times of the pharohs. Full of historic facts, political intrigues, romance, hatred....you name it. A great read in my opinion.

like · see review

May 09, 2011 Simcsa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, historical-fiction

The story is about life of Hatshepsut from childhood to death, you see her growing up, improving her skills and all the way leading to the crown, finally her dream of becoming Pharaoh coming true. However, Hatshepsut is a woman, whatever her father wishes, so she has to face the problems connected with her feminity and with the old tradition that the Pharaoh has to be man.

There are a lot of descriptions, particularly of clothes and buildings which provide the great atmosphere, but the reader who...more

like · see review

Feb 12, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, ancient-egypt-fiction, so-much-love

In all honestly, I'm not too fussed on Hatshepsut, but this made me love her . Okay, she did come across as a little too good to be true at some points, but Gedge really made me love her.

One of the things I really adored is the complexity in the relationships Gedge creates. While some Egyptologists love the idea of Thutmose III and Hatshepsut hating each other as bitter rivals and Child of the Morning does, to a degree, conform to this, the relationship between the two rivals is marked by a grea...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (38)

More editions...

Genres

Historical Fiction

130 users

Cultural > Egypt

43 users

Romance

6 users

African Literature > Egyptian Literature

4 users

Adult

3 users

Cultural > Africa

3 users

Book Club

2 users

Literature > Ancient

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Pauline Gedge

I 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 surrounde...more I 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.
(less)

More about Pauline Gedge...

Books by Pauline Gedge

The Hippopotamus Marsh (Lord of the Two Lands, #1)

Lady of the Reeds (Lady of the Reeds, #1)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Child of the Morning

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Child of the Morning

“The night folded around them with a sweetness and poignancy heightened by the new pale stars that prickled silver fire in the water of the lily ponds, by the scented winds, and by the nearness of each other.” — 1 person liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Child of the Morning
avg rating	preview: Child of the Morning Goodreads rating: 4.14 (1117 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/296570.Child_of_the_Morning?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312023396l/296570.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/296570.Child_of_the_Morning?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Child of the Morning by Pauline Gedge[/url]

Child of the Morning

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website