River God

River God: A Novel of Ancient Egypt by Wilbur Smith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is compulsive reading - a novel based on the facts behind the Hyksos invasion of Egypt, around 1780 B.C. Containing all the standard elements of great adventure--intrigue, romance, greed, cruelty and furious action--the yarn is spun by the clever eunuch Taita, who reports on events with an irony akin to a 20th-century sensibility. Taita is the slave of Egypt's scheming Grand Vizier Lord Intef, whose daughter Lostris is in love with Tanus, a young army officer whose father's demise was brought about by Intef's greed. 

I really enjoyed this book. Smith veers from his usual style with this book. He normally writes about his native South Africa, but with this one, he gets inside the head of an ancient eunuch in ancient Egypt. The story is thrilling, imaginative and haunting - what more can I say.

It remains one of my favourite reads.
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The Clan Of The Cave Bear

Tell Me A Story - Review 


The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When her parents are killed by an earthquake, 5-year-old Ayla wanders through the forest completely alone. Cold, hungry, and badly injured by a cave lion, the little girl is as good as gone until she is discovered by a group who call themselves the Clan of the Cave Bear. This clan, left homeless by the same disaster, have little interest in the helpless girl who comes from the tribe they refer to as the "Others." Only their medicine woman sees in Ayla a fellow human, worthy of care.

This is a story of Neanderthals and the physically modern Cro-Magnons.

I read it quite a while ago, yet this surprising book persists amongst those on my much loved shelf.

With a few clever brush strokes, Jean M. Auel paints a believable story, with a well-researched backdrop, an absorbing plot, and endearing characters. I can ask for no more in a novel – yet somehow, Clan Of The Cave Bear goes beyond that. Perhaps it strikes some deep ancestral chord. Whatever, I found I couldn’t stop reading it. This probably outshines most other fantasy novels out there.




View all my reviews

Will Fetter, and The Lucky One

Tell Me a Story - viewpoint

Film scripts, film adaptations and Will Fetters.


Will Fetters - the lucky one.

A certain Mr. Will Fetters has landed the job of screen-writing "The Lucky One," an adaptation of the latest Nicholas Sparks novel that's been accepted by Warner Bros.

"The Lucky One" , a romantic drama, tells the tale of an American marine in Iraq who keeps a picture of a woman he has never met, because he believes it brings him good luck. However, when he tries to find the woman on his return to the US, he finds strange events surrounding her.....

Will Fetters, is also screen-writing "Memoirs," a drama about Summit relationships.

Nicholas Sparks has previously had film adaptations made of his books such as "The Notebook" and "Message in a Bottle" which earned $81 million and $52 million, respectively. His most recent film, "Nights in Rodanthe," brought in a more reserved $42 million.

I wonder if any of them thought of adapting the romantic drama, 'Without Reproach' as a film.... I'd be happy with far more humble returns.

*** Nicholas Sparks, "The Lucky One", Nicholas Sparks, "The Lucky One" ***

• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing

End of post -Will Fetter, and The Lucky One

Review - The Handmaid and the Carpenter, Elizabeth Berg

A new view on Nativity

The best selling author, Elizabeth Berg, uses her emotional words to lure us into the lives of Mary and Joseph. Berg overhauls the customary Nativity story by examining a very human couple, struggling with their faith in each other, and in God.





When all is said and done, how many people would believe their wife if faced with the same shocking news.



Jumbled sentiments
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Berg's work creates an awareness of a far off place and time, yet keeps the couple's jumbled sentiments bang up to date.

This is a tale of devotion in many ways. It’s not easy for Joseph and Mary to come to terms with her pregnancy with only her own faith and a few confused dreams as guidance. Joseph fights with his religious values, as well as his trust in Mary's word, yet stay close to her.

Berg's story is a confidential vision of love, and utterly human flaws and challenges readers to think.





A story worth reading.
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• Next post on Tell Me a Story -The accidental author

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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start The Story Characters In Your Writing

End of post - The Handmaid and the Carpenter, Elizabeth Berg

Book Review Site

I keep meaning to do book reviews but never seem to find time.

I've found a lazy man's way around it. I came across a site today that gives independent reviews. They're not my choice of course, but they aren't driven by commercial dependence either, they're one person's view.

Take a look at http://tucsonguy.wordpress.com/

• Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/07/look-at-kindle.html

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