Product Description
First published in the United States in 1949 and widely condemned as obscene, The Egyptian outsold every other novel published that year, and remains a classic; readers worldwide have testified to its life-changing power. It is a full-bodied re-creation of a largely forgotten era in the world's history: the Egypt of the 14th century B.C.E., when pharaohs and gods contended with the near-collapse of history's greatest empire. This epic tale encompasses the whole of the then-known world, from Babylon to Crete, from Thebes to Jerusalem, while centering around one unforgettable figure: Sinuhe, a man of mysterious origins who rises from the depths of degradation to become personal physician to Pharaoh Akhnaton. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (93)

The Egyptian
I read this book long ago but I am reading it again.It is suppos to be one of the best
examples of Finnish literature.I am finding it very well written and fascinating as historical fiction.

fascinating histirical novel
Whether you know something about ancient Egypt or just starting your exploration - this is a wonderful book to read. Masterfully written story is full of information about Gods and customs, wars and warriors, journeys and glimpses into different ancient cultures...but mostly - this is a story about a journey of human heart - and everything that comes with it... There are also a lot of parallels drawn between old and new times...indeed - what is already have been and there is nothing new under the sun...Enjoy!

Mika Waltari: "The Egyptian"
Possibly one of the best historical novels ever written.Takes place at a fascinating time, when Amenhotep the third, pharaoh of Egypt, decided to become a monotheist and pacifist, thereby threatening the powerful army generals and the polytheistic priesthood.Told through the eyes of Pharoah's personal phsyician, it's a sweeping tale of lust, wanderings throughout the ancient middle east, plus a marvelous dose of Egyptiana.If you ever wanted to know how mummies were made, this is the book.It's an education as well as a highly satisfying read.Waltari has written a number of other historical novels, most of them similar in suggesting that the hero -- who seems at first to be a "commoner"-- may have royal blood in him.

If you can get through it... a good story
The biggest obstacle in reading this for me was the dated language. Whether this is because it's a translation or because it was written a long time ago, it doesn't read like modern historical fiction, which I really like. However, if you can put up with the long drawn out sentences and you really enjoy ancient Egypt, you will probably like this book about such notable historical figures as Amunhotep, Horemheb and Nefertiti.

Not what I expected, but definitely worth the read.
I expected a rehash of the screenplay.Definitely not....Almost like expecting "Gone With The Wind" to be "The North Won...."The folks that did the screenplay cut most of the book....Which is probably OK, because it's LONG....

The negatives are that, whether it's because of the translator (the original's NOT in English), or Waltari's intent, the language tries to look like Ancient Egyptian (whatever that was), and includes some idiomatic expressions that are a little tough to get through.Reminded me of the original "Battlestar Galactica" TV series where certain common words were replaced with something slightly different.Something like "Yarn" for "Year", for example....Waltari's book, at least, doesn't do that, but some odd stuff ("spit on your couch", for example) wander in without explanation, and some change depending on where you are in the text.Otherwise, as somebody who really liked the movie, the differences are a little annoying at times.

The pluses:Sinuhe and Kaptah turn into real people....Not to mention Merit and Horemheb.The other major characters, and some "new" ones (not in the movie) also play their parts well.Some irony, too, but you'll have to read the book to find it....

Also, some fractured history, I think....But maybe not.There's not a lot of agreement today on the dating of some of what's reported here, and Waltari may have picked a chronology that's no longer in good odor.I find that interesting rather than important....

You have to be prepared to read this - it's kinda "deep" compared to the movie, or much popular writing.I enjoyed it, though.No regrets....

(Am I the only one that noticed that "Kaptah" could be "Capta", which is "slave" in Latin?Actually, "captured", but you get the idea.Naming a kid "Thoth" in that time period also may have been problematical, too, but who knows.My Egyptian isn't good enough, but "Dedicated To Thoth" would be more likely. Even Sinuhe comments on the "Thoth" name, btw....)

Not "sit on the beach" reading, and not for the bluenoses, although PG-13 probably would fly.But a good read....

... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Another great novel by Mika Waltari
I just finished reading this book. I found this book by Mika waltari because of his first book: "The Egyptian". Both are excellent novels. Now I am reading his third novel: "The Wanderer". I'll keep you posted guys. You will really enjoy Mika's works....

ANOTHER SOMEWHAT FORGOTTEN TREASURE
First published in 1951 (I can remember my mother reading it to me) this work is on par with the Egyptian and in fact is probably even more of a page turner.So many of these wonderful old books are all but forgotten, and that is truely a pity as we are missing some great reading.This particular story takes place in the Sixteenth Century.A young Finnish scholar is the reader and hero who spins this wonderful tale.The book more or less opens with the hero and his brother setting off on a pilgrims journey to the Holy Land... It is pure historical adventsure after this.The author has well researched his subject and is a natural story teller.The author has the ability to put you in the middle of the story and keeps you there page after page.I hate to get into the plot deeper as I am not overly fond of spoilers.If you like and injoy well written, well researched historyical fiction, then I feel quite sure you will enjoy this one as I have over the years (several rereads after mom gave the the start).Recommend this one highly.

Fabulous Read
I cannot add anything to the review from the reader in Vancouver who says it all.Both "The Adventurer" and "The Wanderer" are terrific stories from beginning to end.Can never guess where they are heading.And as in "The Adventurer" a lot is learned about the history of the time, in this case, Islam and the Moslem way of life in the early 1500s.Not a bad thing to know in these times.I am very sorry that there is not another one of these books about Michael, as he and his buddy Andy led picturesque and exciting lives, to say the least.It makes for great and fun reading, with a tad of learning thrown in for good measure.You won't go wrong by picking these up, believe me.

Medieval Adventure
Ever since reading The Egyptian, I have been checking out used book stores for anything by Mika Waltari, wish more of his books were still in print. He wrote superb medieval fiction and it was well worth the search to find a copies of both The Adventurer and The Wanderer.The first part, The Adventurer is an
adventure novel set in various parts Europe in the early sixteenth century with rich descriptions of both characters and places, it is the story of one man's life Michael, a bastard born in Abo, Finland sometime in the year 1502 or 1503 he believes.Book Two, The Wanderer continues the adventures of Michael the Finn from Aboand this time the settings are throughout the extensive kingdom of Suleiman the Magnificent, supreme ruler of the Ottoman Turks.

After setting out from Vienna at the end of The Adventurer, Michael and his friend Andy are captured by pirates and compelled to convert to Islam to avoid death, he eventually ends up as the slave of Ibrahim, the Grand Vizier, second most powerful ruler after Suleiman.Michael's skill with languages is his gift and propels him to the front of the action again and again, traveling to Istanbul, Baghdad, Tunis and Budapest and experiencing many battles and sieges.A great deal of the action also takes place in the shadier, behind the scenes world of the harem, where concubines and eunuchs take power by more subtle means.

I highly recommend both or either of these books to anyone who enjoys medieval fiction with detailed and vivid scene descriptions and characters with depth.The Wanderer is particularly unique as instead of the usual Crusades style story of Christians fighting Moslems, these characters embrace the other religion and move through the other world.

Great book-fun adventure read
I Loved this book, I do a lot of reading and I now have found a new author I love! I must read all Mika Waltari books, they are fun reads! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

The Etruscan
The copy I received was of good quality and fitted what I requested. Was disappointed with the story, but that was just my bad luck.

As promised
The Etruscan arrived just as promised in excellent condition and on time. I'm very happy with my purchase.

Iron Age Odyssey
Review of "The Etruscan" by Mika Waltari

Iron Age Odyssey

I loved this story.

This book follows the travels and exploits of Lars Turms as he searches the ancient world.He searches for his origin and for the meaning of his life.The search takes him to: rebellion, to war, to piracy, to asceticism and to the sophistication of his homeland. As the adventure unfolds he looks for understanding in politics, in religion, in nature and in love.

The story introduces the reader to the civilizations of the Mediterranean during the Iron Age.Early in the book Turms is involved in the Ionian Revolts against Darius the King of Persia.The result of this disastrous rebellion is an odyssey of action, excitement, adventure, romance and religion.The ensuing travels contrast the cultures of the time.

It was very realistic.I could just imagine the Iron Age people behaving just as they were portrayed.

The pace of the story never slowed.There was action and suspense from beginning to end.

It was easy to sympathize with the plight of the characters.I could identify with Turms and his entire cohort.

The book gave a sense of the timelessness of the human condition.The questions posed by Turms are very much like questions we all ask today.The book presented timeless answers to questions asked by the main character.Seek and yea shall find.

Open your mind to the possible.Expand your consciousness back in time and find a magical world of the past.Read and enjoy this book.

See other books by Mika Waltari:

The Egyptian: A Novel

and

The Roman

I highly recommend this book.

Iron Age Odyssey
Review of "The Etruscan" by Mika Waltari

Iron Age Odyssey

I loved this story.

This book follows the travels and exploits of Lars Turms as he searches the ancient world.He searches for his origin and for the meaning of his life.The search takes him to: rebellion, to war, to piracy, to asceticism and to the sophistication of his homeland. As the adventure unfolds he looks for understanding in politics, in religion, in nature and in love.

The story introduces the reader to the civilizations of the Mediterranean during the Iron Age.Early in the book Turms is involved in the Ionian Revolts against Darius the King of Persia.The result of this disastrous rebellion is an odyssey of action, excitement, adventure, romance and religion.The ensuing travels contrast the cultures of the time.

It was very realistic.I could just imagine the Iron Age people behaving just as they were portrayed.

The pace of the story never slowed.There was action and suspense from beginning to end.

It was easy to sympathize with the plight of the characters.I could identify with Turms and his entire cohort.

The book gave a sense of the timelessness of the human condition.The questions posed by Turms are very much like questions we all ask today.The book presented timeless answers to questions asked by the main character.Seek and yea shall find.

Open your mind to the possible.Expand your consciousness back in time and find a magical world of the past.Read and enjoy this book.

See other books by Mika Waltari:

The Egyptian: A Novel

and

The Roman

I highly recommend this book.

Iron Age Odyssey
Review of "The Etruscan" by Mika Waltari

Iron Age Odyssey

I loved this story.

This book follows the travels and exploits of Lars Turms as he searches the ancient world.He searches for his origin and for the meaning of his life.The search takes him to: rebellion, to war, to piracy, to asceticism and to the sophistication of his homeland. As the adventure unfolds he looks for understanding in politics, in religion, in nature and in love.

The story introduces the reader to the civilizations of the Mediterranean during the Iron Age.Early in the book Turms is involved in the Ionian Revolts against Darius the King of Persia.The result of this disastrous rebellion is an odyssey of action, excitement, adventure, romance and religion.The ensuing travels contrast the cultures of the time.

It was very realistic.I could just imagine the Iron Age people behaving just as they were portrayed.

The pace of the story never slowed.There was action and suspense from beginning to end.

It was easy to sympathize with the plight of the characters.I could identify with Turms and his entire cohort.

The book gave a sense of the timelessness of the human condition.The questions posed by Turms are very much like questions we all ask today.The book presented timeless answers to questions asked by the main character.Seek and yea shall find.

Open your mind to the possible.Expand your consciousness back in time and find a magical world of the past.Read and enjoy this book.

See other books by Mika Waltari:

The Egyptian: A Novel

and

The Roman

I highly recommend this book.
... Read more

Product Description
"Romance and terror in a barbaric age. Michael of Finlandia crosses the continent of Europe to seek his fortune." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

The Adventurer- hard to find but worth a look
The Adventurer is a 60 year old English translation of a Finnish book that is at best pretty good. The main character - Michael of various last names, born at the turn of the 16th century in Finland, is our alter ego through several historical events that are not commonly known, but should be: the devastation wroughtby Danish king Christian in his campaigns to establish a unified scandinavian kingdom; the no-win situation of people accused of witchcraft in that age, the peasants revolt, and the sack of Rome. The story forms a coherent presentation of the situation facing Emperor Charles Hapsburg and Martin Luther and the various ways of understanding their impacts. The writing I found to be stilted, and long stretches were tedious. However, The Adventurer covers historical themes that are not treated in other historical fiction, so it is worth a look.

THIS IS ONE THAT SHOULD BE IN REPRINT.
The Adventurer was first published in or about 1950 in this country.It is the first of a two part historical novel which continues with "The Wanderer."Like other Waltari books, once you start the first page, it is quite difficult to stop and when the novel is finished, your left wanting more.This particular tale takes place in Europe in the early 1500's.Yes, as one reviewer pointed out, there is quite a lot of sex and violance but it is certainly not gratuitous, and certainly adds to the story and more or less "tells it how it was."This is an adventure story but the author, due to some fantastic research, has filled the pages with historical facts.I have yet to find one of Waltari's stories which gave a historical fact that did not check out all the way.It is truely a shame this one has not been reprinted as theyounger generation are missing some great reading.I first read this one in the late 1950s and have given it several reads since that time.I assure you, it is no worse for the wear.Recommend this one highly.

FABULOUS!!!!!
If you enjoy historical fiction, look no further; this is the one for you.Set in Europe between 1508 and 1525, you will find yourself learning a great deal of its history while reading one terrific story.Everything I looked up in the World Book from Waltari's portrayal was true.I am soooo sorry to have finished it.But good news; there is a sequel, "The Wanderer", which I immediately sought in my library, and will eagerly devour until the one I bought to set beside "The Adventurer" comes.To be honest, for about the first one-third of the book, I thought the story only mildly disguised history, but then, wow! did it pick up.As another reviewer has mentioned, you are always in suspense.Why this was never made into a movie I cannot imagine, for there is certainly enough sex and violence and battle scenes for any one to relish in.Plus all the costume drama in the world.I can't wait to start the sequel.Waltari shows a very compassionate nature here, somehow making the priests who ran the Inquisition into understandable figures, no mean feat.And Michael, basically a real blockhead who would have perished long ago without Andy.All in all, I felt I have spent time in the 1500's and come away with a good yarn to boot.

When books were books and readers were glad of it
Europe in the 1500s was a fascinating time of tumultuous, pivotal events.Mika Walteri captures that time in The Adventurer with the color, the flavor and the feel, and through a piece of fiction that takes the reader through lives, travels, experiences so foreign to the 21st Century as to almost be nearer science fiction or fantasy than real life.But real life, it was, and The Adventurer will make it real for you.It's a fast-paced, action packed story that will throw the reader off-balance and keep him there, start to finish.

Great Tale of Adventure at the time of the Reformation
Ever since reading the Egyptian, I have been checking out used book stores for anything by Mika Waltari, wish more of his books were still in print.The Adventurer is a real gem of medieval fiction, well worth the search to find a copy of this great historical novel set in various parts Europe in the early sixteenth century with rich descriptions of both characters and places. A few of the historical events covered are King Christian of Denmark and his attempt to unite all Scandinavia and the north under his rule, the early years of the Reformation with Luther himself making an appearance in the novel, and wars through the German and Italian states involving the Emperor Charles and the Pope.

Most of all it is the story of one man?s life Michael, a bastard born in Abo, Finland sometime in the year 1502 or 1503 he believes.His father is unknown, his mother died, and his remaining family killed during a raid by the Jutes when he is still very young.He is brought up by the town ?witch? and is somewhat isolated in his childhood.Because of his intelligence, he is noticed by a priest and learns to read and write, receiving an education at the Cathedral school, and showing an aptitude for languages.In spite of his intellect though, Michael is emotionally naive and often is a gullible simpleton when it comes to being manipulated.The complications in his life compel him to move from one place to another and the reader is taken with him all the way on his journeys through Sweden, France, Germany, Hungary and Italy.His inner nature changes as well, at the start he has absolute faith in whatever the priests teach him, as he matures he begins to look more within for his answers.

Highly recommend finding a used copy of this book for all lovers of historical fiction set in medieval scenes. ... Read more

Product Description
"Today I am called a spy and the lover of the empires most desirable woman. But no one knows my true identity and no one ever shall. For it is the year 1453; and here in Constantinople a mighty Christian empire is dying brutally as the Moslem hordes storm its massive wall." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Wickedly funny!
What is Mika Waltari up to in THE ROMAN? There is a very dry Finnish sense of humor at play here, exploiting the ironies of a narrator who is an utter moral vaccum, unable to perceive the truth of anything going on around him. Put such a cipher in the poisonous milieu of Poppaea, Agrippina, Tigellinus, et. al, and watch out! When our "hero" is charged by Nero with devising "entertainments" involving the torture and slaughter of Christians scapegoated for the great fire, his chief worry is that the jaded audience will grow bored. I suspect a lot of THE ROMAN is really about Waltari's take on the Nazis and perhaps Stalinist Russia, with all their bureaucratic double-talk covering the unspeakable ugliness of mass murder. One reviewer complains that THE ROMAN goes the route of QUO VADIS, with a pro-Christian slant, but I think the book is far more subtle, complex, and ambiguous than that. Beware of abridged editions (like the US paperback that was published in the 1960s). THE ROMAN is preceded by a novel about the narrator's father and his encounter with the early Christians, THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM (which I have not read).

prudish old book showing its age
Up to page 200, there is still some suspense on whether this will be a book about a "Roman of the Romans" or simply yet another Quo Vadis remake. Unfortunately, it is the latter:
The author resources to the trite narrative trick of presenting the early Christians first as eccentric, and ending up being seduced by them.

The narrative is for the most part fluid, but the character development flat and unconvincing.
There seems to be an intention of parading as many historical characters of the period in question as possible through personal acquaintance with the protagonist, but that, instead of adding historical interest, strains the plot verisimilitude.

Living in Rome during Nero's reign
If you enjoy well researched historical novels, I would recommend this one to you.The fly on the wall is fictional character, Minutus, a friend of Nero's.What I enjoyed was getting to meet Nero, Seneca, St. Paul, and St. Peter and what it was like to see the Druids and the early Christians.Before I read this book I only knew 4 things about ancient Rome:that Nero fiddled while Rome burned, that the early Christians were thrown to the lions, that Nero's mother killed her husband so that Nero could become emperor, and that Nero had his male lover's genitals removed and then married him.This book put all those things in context for me.At times the reading was a bit slow and difficult to follow, but on the whole I found it an enjoyable and educational experience.Not as good as I remember "the Egyptian" being, but nevertheless very worthwhile.

Gripping
A gripping story.The narrative is so powerful, I could not sleep for two days after reading the book.The book is cruel without being macabre

Gripping historical drama
Minutus, son of Marcus ("Hero" of the Secret Kingdom) tells us about his life in the Rome of Nero, the Burning of the city and the killing of the Christians. Meanwhile he himself pursues his own business, love-affairs and political intrigues. I've read this book a few times now and it grows with each reading. It is very cleverly constructed, the details of roman life are breathtaking and Minutus himself offers a new side of his character each time you pick up this book. Very worthwhile reading. ... Read more

Product Description
A novel regarding Egypt. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a 374 page hardcover book with dust jacket.This is the First Edition. ... Read more

Product Description
Four modern masterpieces on the theme of love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Tales by Mika Waltari
That's a book of tales by Mika Waltari. There are four tales: The Tree of Dreams, Never a Tomorrow, Fine van Brooklyn [and] Something in People.

Those of you who have read the historical romances (The Etruscan, The Egyptian: A Novel, The Secret of the Kingdom, The Roman, Wanderer etc.) of this remarkable Finnish writer should be able to understand why I simply had to have this other book by this master. Sometimes I could even feel standing on historical ground.And a book by Waltari is so much easy to read, for the plots are surprisingly built!

But what indeed amazes me is the fact that I couldn't find a recent edition! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A Top 10 Book
This book drives me to tears and makes me believe in the love of God.

Waltari's Best Novel
Mika Waltari wrote 50 years ago, but his work is of classic quality and will definitely appeal to today's readers of historical fiction.The is the first of a two book series, followed by "The Roman", also excellent, which is set a generation later in the decadence of Rome.

Marcus, a Roman dilettante with an interest in philosophy and prophecy, travels to Jerusalem as a tourist to see the Jewish Temple. There, he arrives outside the city just in time to witness the crucifixion of Christ. Deeply moved by what he has just seen, he spends the rest of the book in Jerusalem and Galilee meeting various New Testament characters, trying to understand the secret of the astonishing invisible Kingdom he has stumbled upon.

The book will be appreciated by Christians especially for its historically accurate, sympathetic, and very human portrayal of the founders of our faith, as a world-weary Roman pursues his skeptical path toward faith in Christ.

The mystery of ancient times
Mika Waltari is considered as the best Finnish writer of all time.His other famous novels, "The Egyptian", "The Etruscan", and "The Roman", are also first-rate historical fictions.They are on-par with great American historical fiction authors such as James Clavell and James Michener.Considering that the period in human history covered by Waltari is the ancient times-hence more mysterious-they are perhaps even more enjoyable as we get a first-hand glimpse into the lives of the ancients as seen from Waltari's imagination, translated with a superior writing prose into magnificent stories that the reader wishes would never end.

"The Secret of the Kingdom" is written in an ingenious way: a series of letters written by Marcus Mazentius to Tullia, both Romans of high standing during the reign of Tiberius.Marcus is forced to flee Rome to Alexandria, presumably because of his associations with the married Tullia.As Marcus-a man who like many of the Roman aristocracy of the time, has spiritual beliefs that follow the scientific teachings of Greek philosophers-squanders his time and money in Alexandria awaiting his love's arrival, he is mysteriously guided to Judea, where he personally witnesses the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.He is intrigued by his teachings and thereafter seeks to learn more about him, his followers, and his message.Along the way, we meet many of the faces of the Christian First Testament: Pontius Pilot, Claudia Procula, Mary Magdalene, Paul, Mathew and Johanna (Herod Antipas' wife), among others.The characters are all intertwined in a series of remarkable events that follow parts of the First Testament somewhat loosely, yet they resemble many of the events, and here is where there is an additional enigma: Waltari must have named his character Marcus Mazentius because there is mystery about the author of the second gospel (the Gospel according to Mark) in the First Testament.Some scholars say that he was a Roman who converted to Christianity and lived in Rome and Alexandria (as in the novel):

"Unlike the author of Matthew (who very likely wrote his gospel for a Palestinian audience) the author of Mark appears much less less informed about the Palestinian area and Judaism. For example, Mark 8:27 speaks of "the villages of Caesarea Philippi" but Caesarea Philippi was a single town. This would be consistent with Mark being gentile writer living in Rome. The location where the gospel was committed to writing, however, was Alexandria, Egypt."

Others scholars say that it was written in Syria or Galillee by Marc, or someone or some followers who associated themselves with Marc:

"A more accepted theory is that the gospel was written by a member or a group of members in a community that associated themselves with Mark, or that was founded by Mark, or even written by an unknown Christian named Mark. Modern scholars suggest Galilee or Syria as likely places of origin."

Still others say that he was a Jew:

"There is also evidence that the author of Mark may have been Jewish or had a Jewish background. Many scholars argue that the gospel has a Semitic flavor to it, by which they mean that there are Semitic syntactical features occurring in the context of Greek words and sentences. Example of this Semitic "flavor" include verbs located at the beginning of sentences, the widespread use of asyndeta (placing clauses together without conjunctions), and parataxis (joining clauses with the conjunction kai, which means "and")."

Whoever in fact wrote the second gospel, what really makes this book so entertaining-regardless of whether or not you are a believer in Jesus Christ-is that as in his other books, Waltari's superb description of characters and events really makes you feel as you were experiencing the ancient times through your own eyes.

The gospel according to Mika
Mika Waltari is perhaps the most known finnish writer outside Finland. Deservedly, his popular historical fiction books written between 1940 and 1960 are accurate, interesting, with good plots and well-developed characters. All of these books, in one level or another, deal with christianism and its relation with ancient people and cultures (The egyptian, the roman, etc). Since Waltari graduated in theology, that's nothing surprising. The secret of the kingdom is one of his later books, being some kind of apotheosis of his career.

The secret of the kingdom is told from Marcus' point of view. Marcus is a wealthy roman citizen, driven away to Alexandria because of a love relationship gone bad. In the egyptian city, he becomes involved with jewish culture and prophecies. Some unseen power, that Marcus can't understand, makes him go to Jerusalem (this is around 30 A.D.). When he gets closer to the sacred city, he witnesses the execution of three criminals by cruxification, but one of the condemned draws his attention: his name is Jesus. To understand the quiet power behind Jesus presence, Marcus starts to wander through Judea and Galilee, getting acquainted with Jesus' sermons, thoughts, and with people he knew and cured. Through these voyages and conversations, he wants to find his Path in life.

Waltari's book also has this quiet power that makes the reader think. His writing style is beautiful and closer to poetry than it shows to our eyes at first glance. This book is fully peopled with characters of the New Testament, although carefully centered in the ones with a minor degree of importance (that's one of its interesting features). Although a little too conservative, The secret of the kingdom is a very good fictionalportrait of Jesus' last days on Earth.

In the end, what is most important about The secret of the kingdom is Jesus' beautiful message.

Grade 8.8/10

On the trail of mercy
In The Secret of The Kindom, the Finnish author Mika Waltari tells a spellbinding tale of a man on the search for some kind of a sucstance for his life. Marcus, a wealthy and distinquished Roman, arrives in Jerusalem just in time to witness Jesus Christ being crucified outside city gates. He is marvelled by the death of this suffering man: Who was he? Was he really the son of the Israeli God? What did he mean by his teachings? And most importantly, what is the secret of his Kindom? As Marcus starts finding more about Jesus he meets many of known Bible characters, experiences the miracle of the resurrection, and begins to question the importance of his own wealth and nobility.Waltari is once again at his best in telling a semi-historic tale, in which the well depicted characters play the biggest role. Waltari's way of combining people and history, and his near-poetic writing style make the Secret of The Kindom rise well above any other historic novels. A masterpiece. Period. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A wonderful novel
This is the best book I've ever read.

It is the history of an Egyptian doctor in pharaonic times, since its childhood to his old years. As he wants to forget a woman, he travels around the then known world to places like Syria, Babylonia, the Hitite Empire, Crete and others places and has a lot of adventures. But deep in his heart he feels lonely. He returns to Egypt just in time to be witness of the changes brought there by Akhenaton as he tries to change the god Amon for a new one, Aton in the first monotheist religion the world knew.

This book is very well written and documented, with a history that may have happen in reality. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Aunque un bestseller, es un gran clásico de la novela histórica.

Esta es la obra más popular de Mika Waltari, autor finlandés de primera mitad de siglo veinte. Y es uno de los mayores bestsellers de todos los tiempos. Pocas veces un "best seller" tan popular como éste se gana las buenas críticas literarias de los entendidos y permanece en las estanterías de las tiendas de libros generación tras generación.

"Sinuhé" merece permanecer en todos los hogares porque es una obra maravillosa que, como todos los libros clásicos, quedará en la memoria y los corazones de todos quienes lo lean.

Es considerado por muchos -y yo estoy de acuerdo- como la mejor obra histórica hasta la fecha. Cuenta la historia en primera persona de un egipcio y de sus experiencias y viajes hace más de mil años antes de Cristo. En estos viajes llega a conocer las grandes naciones de lo que hoy es Oriente Medio. En sus páginas hay un pozo inmenso de sabiduría, no especialmente por su variedad de experiencias y personajes, sino por la reflexiones acerca de la naturaleza humana, que son tan de ayer y de hoy como de cualquier tiempo.

El modo de contar de Sinuhé es tan particular que engancha y, aunque no contase cosas tan interesantes como cuenta, produce una sensación de música cadenciosa y alegría en el corazón; porque uno se da cuenta de la bondad y sinceridad que emana de este protagonista a lo largo de la narración de sus aventuras.

Esta es una obra extensa, más de 700 páginas en mi edición, pero uno llega a gozar de estos paisajes antiguos, de estos personajes tan maravillosos cuyas almas casi leemos. En fin, de esto está hecho el corazón de los hombres, de un vacío insondable que clama por ser llenado de lo divino y de su misterio.

No pueden dejar de leerlo
Sinuhe el Egipcio es una maravilla de libro al igual que todos los otros libros de Mika Waltari (los dos libros de Mikael Karajalka, El Sitio de Contantinopla, SPQR, etc). Resulta emocionante poder recorrer el Egipto de 3000 AC con una enorme cantidad de detalles, para los cuales Mika Waltari estudio muchos años la cultura egipcia. A partir de este libro se hizo una pelicula que es muy buena, pero el libro es realmente alucinante. Recomiendo este libro para aquellos que quieran conocer mas de la literatura de Mika Waltari.

¡Estupendo!
Quiero decirles que esta es la historia mas interesante que he leido en toda mi vida. Se trata de Sinuhe, un doctor egipcio exiliado que escribe su vida, desde su nacimiento humilde hasta que llegue a atender los faraones. Este libro te hace pensar, te hace llorar, te hace reir, ¡lo tiene todo! Ademas, esta basado sobre hechos reales. El autor tuvo mas de 10 años estudiando la historia de Egipcio y los rollos de Sinuhe. Es interesante notar que a pesar del hecho que la historia trata de sucesos que pasaran hace unos 3.000 años, nosotros podemos identificarnos con todo. Espero que todo el mundo tenga el privilegio de leer esta obra maestra. (Este repaso se refiere al "The Egyptian", lo cual es la misma historia, pero en ingles.)

Time and destiny
Sinhue is just like you and me, growing up in a fast changing world and facing challenging obstacles.

Living day to day with certainties and confusions that plague all human beings evolving in a life that resembles our own in so many ways...

The scenery to this story is the middle empire in Egipt, the Pharaho, Amenothep IV reigns under the name of Akenaton and Amon-Ra has fallen to the Sun disk, Aton, the new god that reigns unchallenged in heaven.

As feelings stir passions also love and friendship are set ablaze.

As the tides of events calm down so does age set in and calm reigns again in Egipt and in Sinhue's heart...

Tutankamon, the child Pharaho reings again to reestablish Amon-Ra from defeat to splendor !

Memories of golden times and of great feats, long gone friends and a lost love, a tragic beginning in a cane basket going down the Nile.

Is destiny repeating itself?

Beautifull novel, set in historic events. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

One of the best history novels out there.
I have read this book when i was about 16. I read the book in Czech and it was incredible. Why is it out of print!? I wanted to buy an English copy for my friends to read!
Bring it back! More people should read this book, its a gem.

History, imagination, adventure and wisdom
Mika Waltari's book Sinuhe the Egyptian is a master piece, Finnish literature at its peak. It combines historical facts, imaginative characters and wisdom with adventures and religion. It is by far the best book that I have ever read. You can learn a great deal more from this book than you can ever learn in e.g. in school. It is packed with wise phrases and thoughts. The book is rather long but you will not even notice how many pages it has because it captures you completely. Even one of my history teachers has said that reading Sinuhe should make up for a few history courses... Every single person that I know has read this book has not been disappointed, everyone has praised the book ever since reading it. The best piece of literature ever!

Fantastic
I read this book when I was about 14 or 15 years old and I absolutely loved it.This is one of those books that you remember forever.Since then, I'm fascinated with the ancient Egypt.

Best historical novel ever
And with such splendid reviews - why is is out of print?!

The Egyptian: The Movie
I would like to recommend the wonderful, wonderful movie, THE EGYPTIAN, that was taken from the book.It stars Edmund Purdom as Sinhue and Jean Simmons as (I forget her name)--the woman who bore him a son.Tommy Retig, who played Timmy in the TV series LASSIE, played Sinhue's son.I think Victor Mature played the pharoah who wanted to worship one god.

The movie has an eerie, compelling quality that I can't put into words.The fascinating plot unfolds in a setting where everything seems to be exactly as it was in ancient Egypt.You get the feeling that everything in the movie was lovingly researched for historical accuracy.You feel like you ARE in ancient Egypt.The acting is wonderful, the direction is wonderful, the costumes, the set, and the devoted attention to historical detail made this a movie I love to watch over and over.

It is made in Biblical epic style, which I have always enjoyed.I can't think of one Biblical epic I didn't like.But there is nothing excessive or superfluous in this film, even though it has "a cast of thousands."There is just enough, and not too much.

I don't know when it was made, or very many details about its production.If you can find this movie, and you like the novel, BY ALL MEANS RENT IT!YOU'LL LOVE IT, AS I DID!At least, I hope so. ... Read more