House of Illusions

by Pauline Gedge

Book Overview

Pauline Gedge is a master at recreating the golden age in Egypt. Her heroin, Thu, a peasant girl from the village of Aswat, possesses both beauty and intelligence. To her good fortune Thu is found and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670870447
• ISBN13: 9780670870448
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: VIKING PRESS
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.1" x 5.7"

Customer Reviews

HOUSE OF ILLUSIONS

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK FOR EGYTOPHILES. IT IS SET IN ANCIENT EGYPT AND HAS SO MANY DETAILS THAT YOU WONDER IF MS. GEDGE LIVED THERE. PAULINE GEDGE IS AN ABSOLUTE GENIUS WHEN IT COME TO BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT AND SHE IS NO SLOUCH IN THE SCIENCE FICTION DEPARTMENT EITHER---SO GOOD I READ IT 7 TIMES THUS FAR!

Amazing

When I read 'Lady of the reeds' and found out there was a second book following Thu's life, I never expected it to be this good, I got the book three days ago and I have to admit, it was very hard for me to put it down, I have to say Pauline Gedge did an amazing job, in her book you can feel the pain, passion and regrets involving Thu's life. I just have to say, you have to read this book, believe me, you won't regret it.

Egypt Vividly Recreated

I LOVE Pauline Gedge's books about Egypt (as well as her other books). "Illusions" opens with the main character, Thu, a woman who has been banished to live alone in the desert, serving the priests in a temple there, because of an accusation that she attempted to kill Pharaoh when she lived at court. Thu wishes desperately to send a message to Pharaoh explaining what really happened, but she is never given the opportunity, until one day a young court officer arrives, and agrees to help her. Discovering that this is his mother, he helps her plot revenge on the group of people who set her up for the crime which caused her exile. In the process of intrigue, Thu does not always act wisely, and her character is not always admirable. Thus, though she is the heroine of the story, Thu is not necessarily lovable, but she is definitely fascinating. The plot is complex, involving all the characters that surround Pharaoh. The scenery, the buildings, the poorer sections of the city, the clothing, the feasts...everything... is so vividly described, that I am caught up in these images. This feeling of being transported there is reason enough to read Gedge's books, but combined with the drama and suspense, they are unforgettable.

A suitable sequel!

Pauline Gedge, as usual, is probably the best writer of "Egyptian Fiction". Her characters and scenes are equisitely detailed, whether she writes in the third or first person. House of Illusions continues the story of Thu, and her son, who were separated under edict of Rameses III. The ending and events, although near the end were rather fantastical and almost predictable. If you have not read Lady of the Reeds, then you probably would not enjoy this book as much, but as sequels go, it is quite well done.

A sequel that easily stands on its own

The return of some of the most intriquing characters in Ancient Egypt! The first book was wonderful, with characters that exposed dark and human sides and a main character that draws readers in to her incredible story. In the sequel, Gedge has beautifully developed her characters in the seventeen years since the first segment of the story of the concubine Thu. While a few outcomes were expected, overall it was a suspenceful and romantic read that showed how close all humans are, regardless of the era in which they live. I think I have found my new favorite author!