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Ancient Egypt #1
The Dragon and the Thief
In ancient Egypt an unlucky young man meets a wealthy dragon and together they find dangerous but exciting adventure.
154 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 1991
About the author
Gillian Bradshaw
53 books329 followersBorn in Arlington, Virgina, Gillian Bradshaw grew up in Washington, Santiago, Chile and Michigan. She is a Classics graduate from Newnham College, Cambridge, and published her first novel, Hawk of May, just before her final term. A highly acclaimed historical novelist, Gillian Bradshaw has won the Hopwood Award for Fiction, among other prizes. She lives in Cambridge with her husband and their four children.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 7, 2008
Kindly loaned to me by Hirondelle.
This was a lovely story, and just what I was in the mood for! I agree it's not as substantive as Beyond the North Wind, but the dragon is lovely, the setting wonderful, and I love Prahotep's cleverness and his surprise when others recognize that he IS clever and loyal and a good friend. Really enjoyed this.
For some reason, learning that the winds blew the opposite direction from the flow of the Nile, so Egyptians could float downstream and sail up, really tickled me. Cool historical detail!
This was a lovely story, and just what I was in the mood for! I agree it's not as substantive as Beyond the North Wind, but the dragon is lovely, the setting wonderful, and I love Prahotep's cleverness and his surprise when others recognize that he IS clever and loyal and a good friend. Really enjoyed this.
For some reason, learning that the winds blew the opposite direction from the flow of the Nile, so Egyptians could float downstream and sail up, really tickled me. Cool historical detail!
February 5, 2018
I was in the mood for a story set in ancient Egypt without any over-dramatized court intrigue and the odd premise of a dragon in Egypt sounded interesting (there were no European-type dragons in ancient Egypt, but there were snakes with bird wings), so I decided to give it a try. It started out pretty decent and there's lots of kids who would enjoy it. It could have been better, though. While the main character is engaging and relateable enough, the fact that he literally can't do anything right got old really fast. Further, as a budding Egyptologist, it annoyed me somewhat that the author credits a DRAGON, which is a EUROPEAN folktale, for the creation of an AFRICAN civilization. I don't mind weird ideas, but at least pay the cultures you're writing about a little respect. I might have enjoyed it more when I was younger and didn't know quite so much about ancient Egypt.
July 21, 2020
When the world is in turmoil, young adult fiction can give some respite to the reader.
This is the tale of a poor boy living in Egypt who was never meant to be a fisherman and his adventures from Thebes to Nubia while he comes of age and attempts to discover his purpose. Along the way he meets a lot of people and makes two true friends.
Aimed at an audience of young teen-aged readers, this simple story is an easy and quick read for most adults. There is little question of who are the heroes and who are the villains of this saga. Because the characters are so clear cut, it is easy to cheer on the protagonists each time they meet and outwit the antagonists. It is no surprise that in the end they defeat their enemies, and that last encounter is fun to read.
This is the tale of a poor boy living in Egypt who was never meant to be a fisherman and his adventures from Thebes to Nubia while he comes of age and attempts to discover his purpose. Along the way he meets a lot of people and makes two true friends.
Aimed at an audience of young teen-aged readers, this simple story is an easy and quick read for most adults. There is little question of who are the heroes and who are the villains of this saga. Because the characters are so clear cut, it is easy to cheer on the protagonists each time they meet and outwit the antagonists. It is no surprise that in the end they defeat their enemies, and that last encounter is fun to read.
January 24, 2012
One of my all time favourites when I was a child. I read this book so many times. The reason I loved it was probably becaues I found it unique. Even though the story is somewhat predictable, the story is still different from other books, and it has an interesting story and funny characters.
A great read for children and those who are still a child at heart!
A great read for children and those who are still a child at heart!
November 14, 2010
As a kid, I would forcefully push away any book that was suggested to me. I chose this book for myself and maybe thats why I was so crazy in love with it.
The characters struggles in this book would probably speak to any kid who always felt that adults were bullshitting them.
The characters struggles in this book would probably speak to any kid who always felt that adults were bullshitting them.
July 26, 2016
A young Egyptian is plagued by bad luck until he encounters a lone dragon while robbing the wrong tomb.
July 10, 2011
I really like the story, and everything :)
I'm a big fan of Egypt, so thats give an extra point ;)
Misspellings are free xD
- Miss.Niinja<3
I'm a big fan of Egypt, so thats give an extra point ;)
Misspellings are free xD
- Miss.Niinja<3
June 10, 2016
The first time I read this book, I was in middle school. I have been in love with it ever since.
February 8, 2016
Fun story with an engaging hero
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews