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Into the Mummy's Tomb
A diverse selection of remarkable talent, from Anne Rice and Elizabeth Peters to Bram Stoker and Agatha Christie, appears in a collection of stories about the Mummy--its curse, reanimation, revenge, and the other cast of characters associated with ancient Egypt and its pyramids. Original.
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 16, 2010
A nice collection, including some stories I haven't come across anywhere else. Particularly intriguing is a travelogue by H.P. Lovecraft originally ghostwritten for Harry Houdini.
That story, along with Doyle, Haggard, Kipling, Stoker, and archaeologist Howard Carter provide a view of the mysterious Egypt which lured the English of the Victorian age. The Poe, Twain, and Bradbury provide more absurd and amusing views of the mummy myth.
The inclusion of an original Egyptian myth gives another useful insight, as does Elizabeth Peter's well-researched period piece, though it was not as culturally intriguing as the actual myth.
The Rohmer is amusing, though as unpolished as one expects from the pulps. I could have done without this particular Anne Rice piece, which pales in such close quarters with masters of structure, humor, and especially tone.
It's a good introduction to a once-rich setting for stories and myths which has now been mostly boiled down into action movie fodder. Most interesting is how it recalls a time when Egypt and its mummies were filled with a promise of mysteries; a sense that each stone unearthed might rewrite history, yet again.
Today, the myth has become a cliche, the magic has been codified, and the mummy is more likely to invoke Scooby Doo and Brendan Frasier rather than an alien and unknown threat from a time long dead. It was nice to be reintroduced to the myth as it once was.
That story, along with Doyle, Haggard, Kipling, Stoker, and archaeologist Howard Carter provide a view of the mysterious Egypt which lured the English of the Victorian age. The Poe, Twain, and Bradbury provide more absurd and amusing views of the mummy myth.
The inclusion of an original Egyptian myth gives another useful insight, as does Elizabeth Peter's well-researched period piece, though it was not as culturally intriguing as the actual myth.
The Rohmer is amusing, though as unpolished as one expects from the pulps. I could have done without this particular Anne Rice piece, which pales in such close quarters with masters of structure, humor, and especially tone.
It's a good introduction to a once-rich setting for stories and myths which has now been mostly boiled down into action movie fodder. Most interesting is how it recalls a time when Egypt and its mummies were filled with a promise of mysteries; a sense that each stone unearthed might rewrite history, yet again.
Today, the myth has become a cliche, the magic has been codified, and the mummy is more likely to invoke Scooby Doo and Brendan Frasier rather than an alien and unknown threat from a time long dead. It was nice to be reintroduced to the myth as it once was.
April 5, 2014
I read this one a while ago, but as it has retained it's place upon my beloved bookshelves, I obviously thought enough of the stories contained within were worthy of re-reads. I've always been a fan of Egyptology. :)
November 1, 2017
Great collection of fiction and nonfiction stories dealing with mummies, tombs, curses, and Egyptology in general. All the stories were quality and fun reads. Definitely recommend for any fans of mummies or ancient Egypt.
February 15, 2010
The non-fiction stories were a bit boring if you don't find lists of things you can find in tomb basically riveting read, but otherwise i felt quite happy with the choice of authors and their tales...i was quite sure i would have mummy themed nightmares by the bunch but luckily they haven't manifested yet...maybe they'll pop up sometimes later...rare finds from top notch authors will always bring geeky glee out of me so this collection has earned my respect...
April 22, 2010
PLACEHOLDER REVIEWS
"The Vengeance Of Nitocris" by Tennessee Williams - The Pharoah's sister, Nitocris, plans a revenge against the priest class of Osiris for rewarding her brother's blasphemy with mob vengeance. She succeeds admirably. This is a strange one - essentially, a juvenile Williams' first sale (to WEIRD TALES, no less), he seems to be deliberately emulating the French conte cruel, writing in a Decadent mode (the Decadents enjoyed recalling the savage excesses of Biblical, Roman and Egyptian societies), with perhaps a little Poe as well. For all that, it sprawls a bit and plays its hand too early - sins certainly forgivable in a first writer! Not amazing but admirable.
"The Vengeance Of Nitocris" by Tennessee Williams - The Pharoah's sister, Nitocris, plans a revenge against the priest class of Osiris for rewarding her brother's blasphemy with mob vengeance. She succeeds admirably. This is a strange one - essentially, a juvenile Williams' first sale (to WEIRD TALES, no less), he seems to be deliberately emulating the French conte cruel, writing in a Decadent mode (the Decadents enjoyed recalling the savage excesses of Biblical, Roman and Egyptian societies), with perhaps a little Poe as well. For all that, it sprawls a bit and plays its hand too early - sins certainly forgivable in a first writer! Not amazing but admirable.
May 20, 2009
I liked this collection. It was actually one of the better anthologies I have read. Anthologies are really hit and miss for the most part, but I lucked out and this one was mostly hits for me. My favorite stories were:
Lost in a Pyramid, or The Mummy's Curse by Louisa May Alcott
The Demon-Possessed Princess by an Ancient Egyptian Priest
The Majestic Sphinx by Mark Twain
Smith and the Pharaohs by Sir H. Rider Haggard
The Jewel of Seven Stars by Bram Stoker
Lost in a Pyramid, or The Mummy's Curse by Louisa May Alcott
The Demon-Possessed Princess by an Ancient Egyptian Priest
The Majestic Sphinx by Mark Twain
Smith and the Pharaohs by Sir H. Rider Haggard
The Jewel of Seven Stars by Bram Stoker
May 18, 2009
A collection of short stories, some true, that engages both interest in anicent egypt and a thirst for thrills.
April 25, 2020
If you’re in need of a basic introduction to mummy lore, this anthology may be exactly what you want. Editor John Richard Stephens has assembled an interesting collection of fiction and non-fiction on the subject of pulling ancient Egyptian dead from their resting places (and the consequences that follow close behind, especially on the fiction side of the aisle). I can’t say much about the version of Bram Stoker’s The Jewel of Seven Stars herein included, because I decline to review abridged works. However, the rest of the book is entertaining and occasionally even informative. To complain about racism in mummy stories, particularly those entries written in less politically correct times, is futile, but the reader should nonetheless expect this unfortunate element even in the better entries. My only other complaint is that readers already familiar with the sub-genre will likely have already read more than a few of the tales in this tome. But for newcomers this is a rewarding jumping-in point.
July 30, 2018
Those interested in the history of Egypt's mummies, their creation, destruction & preservation will appreciate this collection of stories of truth, fiction and a mixture therein. Were the tombs & mummies truly cursed; was it mold spores that affected those who entered, or just a matter of, "be careful what you wish for"???
July 27, 2022
What a great compilation of mummy stories from so many great authors! Mark Twain, Anne Rice, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie... The list goes on. Each story is unique and entertaining. Great short stories. Some spots that needed to be better proofread for mistakes in the typing but otherwise perfect book of stories. Definitely recommend!
July 30, 2018
This collection featured a wide-range of different Egyptology/mummy-themed stories, essays, etc. It was a great read and offered different opinions and takes on tombs and mummies.
April 4, 2014
REVIEW NOT FINISHED
I just finished this book and though I couldn't lengthen my genre interest in Egyptian Mythology long enough to finish all the short stories within, I found it informative, interesting, and was a bit surprised by a couple of the stories inside.
Particularly, a story ghostwritten for Harry Houdini byH.P. Lovecraft titled, Under the Pyramids aka Imprisoned With The Pharaohs, based on the real-life experience Houdini had in the Egyptian tombs. Kinda cool how he was not only friends with H.P. but also with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as having a tie to Frances Mary Griffiths & Elsie Wright, the girls who became overnight sensations for their story of interacting with real-life fairies - known as the Cottingley Fairies - as seen in the movies, Fairy Tale: A True Story and Photographing Faries, and can be read about further in a few books I will note later.
Can't say I found any favorite stories here, but my Egyptian education just went up a few notches. I think my favorite story was by Agatha Christie; The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb, a really well done mystery for such a short story.
I just finished this book and though I couldn't lengthen my genre interest in Egyptian Mythology long enough to finish all the short stories within, I found it informative, interesting, and was a bit surprised by a couple of the stories inside.
Particularly, a story ghostwritten for Harry Houdini byH.P. Lovecraft titled, Under the Pyramids aka Imprisoned With The Pharaohs, based on the real-life experience Houdini had in the Egyptian tombs. Kinda cool how he was not only friends with H.P. but also with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as having a tie to Frances Mary Griffiths & Elsie Wright, the girls who became overnight sensations for their story of interacting with real-life fairies - known as the Cottingley Fairies - as seen in the movies, Fairy Tale: A True Story and Photographing Faries, and can be read about further in a few books I will note later.
Can't say I found any favorite stories here, but my Egyptian education just went up a few notches. I think my favorite story was by Agatha Christie; The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb, a really well done mystery for such a short story.
October 28, 2019
Another collection edited by Stephens that I appreciate as a concept but which I don't feel particularly passionate about. It's just one of those things where nothing is wrong per se, but the selection of stories doesn't impress either, especially because there's a mix of short stories, non-fiction pieces, and excerpts from novels (the latter is my pet peeve; if I want to read the novel, I will read it, not a random chapter). Might work best as an eclectic introduction to mummies. The two things I remember the most about it: the joy of finding out Twain was against graverobbing, and that I still don't care about Lovecraft's babbling.
Did Not Finish
June 23, 2018There's some really interesting stuff in this book, but there's also a lot of dry, dusty stuff. After a while, I realized that nothing was holding up to "Colonel Stonesteel's Genuine Home-made Truly Egyptian Mummy" and that I wasn't having as much fun with the rest of the book. The last nail in the coffin--I'm sorry, sarcophagus--came when I realized that I had put the book down, read three other books, and when I picked it back up, I still wasn't feeling it. It might just be the story I'm currently on, but I've read the same two lines about seven times, and I think it's time to lay this Pharaoh to rest.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews