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Children Of The Storm (2015)

Children of the Storm (2015)

Book Info

Rating
4.18 of 5 Votes: 1
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ISBN
1841198277 (ISBN13: 9781841198279)
Language
English
Publisher
constable

About book Children Of The Storm (2015)

I'm in the process of re-reading the entire Amelia Peabody series again, from start to finish in one go. They are still some of my favorite books. They must be read with tongue firmly inserted in cheek. It also helps to have an interest in and some knowledge of Colonial-era exploration narratives, fiction like that of H. Rider Haggard, Orientalist studies, the competitive acquisitive zeal of western museums at the turn of the century, and the "gentlemen archaeologists" of the 19th century who brought more treasure-hunting fever than academic and historical interest to their digs. That is to say nothing of the insight into early seeds and outbreaks of unrest in the Middle East that find their way into the middle and later novels in the series. Add to this impressive list of "ingredients" a dash of early feminism, British upperclass manners, interesting plots, and especially the academically sound Egyptian history from a legitimate scholar (Elizabeth Peters had a PhD in Egyptology from the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago) and you have the very best in historical fiction, enclosed within adventurous and funny plots led by engaging and memorable characters who, though immensely more enlightened than many of their time, nonetheless remain realistic people OF their time, seeing the world through glasses tinted by their own culture and class. Though they attempt to rise above prejudice, they cannot quite entirely do so. Elizabeth Peters showed immense wisdom of the human condition in this aspect of her characterizations, reminding us all that we cannot even be aware of - much less remove - ALL of our preconceptions through which we see the world around us. Even the best of us - like Amelia - can continually peel back the layers of lenses through which we see the world. All these philosophical, aesthetic, academic, and historical reasons for loving the series are thus topped off with depth of characterization, imaginative storytelling, fast-paced plotting, excellent word-crafting, and an overall affectionate humor about the human condition - the whole coming together even better than the sum of its parts to make it one of my favorite series of all time. I might add that it's a series that I've read and re-read multiple times, something that I almost never do.To be fair, my one criticism about the series is that the non-chronological nature of the last few books gets a big confusing even to me, someone who's read them multiple times. They're still very enjoyable, but holding the timeline and chronology of events in my head is not always easy. I plan to tackle the compendium "Amelia Peabody's Egypt" soon to see how that clears things up. Nonetheless, I'm waiting with bated breath for the book Elizabeth Peters was finishing at the time of her death to be published. I think it would be a great tribute to her career to publish it posthumously.I have been really surprised when friends I've recommended the series to haven't been as enthusiastic as I am about Amelia Peabody. I think I can attribute that to the fact that my first go-round of the series was on audiobook and Barbara Rosenblat and Grace Conlin did such a marvelous job of giving the series the proper amount of irony and tongue-in-cheek humor and updated H. Rider Haggard-style adventure, that even today when I read the series I hear it in their voices in my head. If you are having trouble connecting, then, I recommend listening to at least the first several books on audiobook. It wouldn't hurt to do some quick Wikipedia research on Colonialism, Egyptology, Howard Carter, Wallace Budge, Orientalism, H. Rider Haggard, museum-sponsored archaeology of the latre 19th & early 20th centuries (especially the competitiveness between the British Museum & the Metropolitan Museum of Art(, WWI, pre-WWII espionage, dismantling of the Ottoman Empire... anything relating to history of the 19th century to early 20th century. All will add to your enjoyment of the novels as well as your appreciation for how deftly Elizabeth Peters wove history and real people throughout her fiction.

"Children of the Storm" (Amelia 15) by Elizabeth Peters refers generation weathered by the dark turbulence of WW1, and an Egyptian horoscope predicting trouble. A plethora of Egyptologists has accumulated in the long series, too many blood and marriage relations to the original, large of brain, body and vocabulary, parasol-wielder Amelia Peabody. Her long-winded pompous narrative style, reminiscent of inspiring Sir Henry Rider Haggard (King Solomon's Mines), and after-the-fact premonitions are funny. Husband Radcliffe "Emerson" is hot-tempered handsome "Father of Curses". Son "Ramses" is "Brother of Demons" for his talent in diguise and voices, married ward Nefret, surgeon, lovely blue-eyed blonde, have babbling girl and boy twins. Cute rambunctious kiddies are overly abundant; mystic Abdullah visions annoying, useless, not comic relief. Even Sethos helps, wrong-blanket-side half-brother, reformed Master Criminal. Restorer Martinellini vanishes the same night as three priceless armbands and pectoral pendant from the princess' treasure being packed up for the government steamship pickup. Ramses escapes admiring kidnapper costumed as horned goddess Hathor. I unfortunately remembered the traitorous role played by Sethos' long-lost illegitimate vengeful daughter Molly/ Maryam, whose criminal mother was killed by person(s) unknown while shooting at Amelia. One of the Emerson servants from that episode dies unsuspiciously, but "accidents" attack the others: snake, scorpion, sinking boat, loosened car wheel. The odd youth Justin accompanied by bully Francois are obviously bad. The finale - chase, gun and knife battle, explosion - permits Amelia to fulfill ambitions - don an eyepatch and board a pirate vessel.Spoiler:The conclusion adds another grandchild to the mix, and toddler "articulating with hideous precision" p617. Rather like cutesy formulaic old sitcoms that ended on a joke. After frightening hostage danger, does maintain the overall lighthearted tone, and hint at future.Definitions: narghile - waterpipeushebti p250 shabti, shawabti - funerary figurinekunafeh p260 knafeh, kunafeh, kunafah, konafah - fried fine noodle phyllo pastry dessert threads with soft cheese and rose syrup Typo: p 108 somthing for something

Do You like book Children Of The Storm (2015)?

In my opinion Barbara Mertz, who wrote the Amelia Peabody series as Elizabeth Peters, was an author few could hope to emulate. Her writing style, incredible vocabulary, gift of creating clear pictures, impeccable knowledge of Egypt & detailed research, comedic timing and love of the written word, made every one of her books an escape for me, and a journey into spontaneous laughter. I am gutted that I have completed the entire series, and that she is no longer with us to produce her magic for us. My sincerest thanks to her for sharing her wit and gift with us!
—Nikki

There really is a lot going on in this book. It also gets to be a lot of fun because there are so many family members around. I had speculated about who the villain who be, but I never could quite put my finger on anything.I got a laugh in the end when the personalities of the children became apparent. In previous books Sethos seemed to come back to life more than once and after this book, I began to wonder if that might happen to the villain in this book. I wouldn't be too surprised if it surfaced again since no conclusion of the body was apparent.The action was hinted at before it happened in this book, and when if finally happened, it was very quick. It got a little frustrating when an idea entered Amelia's head but the author would not finish the thought. It was a complete tease and frustrated me each time she would do that.
—Melliemom

After the slight disappointment of the previous book, and the more serious nature of all of the WWI volumes, this book is a delight. Not only is it fun - full of Amelia and Emerson in top form - but there's a return to the early style of "unearthly" activities when Ramses is kidnapped by a mythical goddess. That kind of outlandish event adds to the fun, I think.I wasn't sure how I'd feel about David and Lia arriving with their two small children, but I enjoyed seeing the four married children and their young kids. The time they spent together was delightful. Eventually the story settles down and our characters find themselves in serious peril. I listened to the last 2.5 hours without stopping, I was so engrossed in the plot. In my opinion this is Peters at her bet - fun and exciting. I was thoroughly delighted with this story.
—Teri-k

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