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.
Another fun and wonderful book in the Amelia Peabody series. Another set of old friends return who once again need Amelia and Emerson's help, though this time it is not because they are being pursued by murders. Along with helping the Frasers Amelia and Emerson also are tangled up in the affairs of an American Colonel and his hopeless daughter who might also be in trouble. I have to say at times there were so many mysteries I was a bit confused about what clue would pertain to which case, but I was not at all bored with the story. Amelia wasn't up to as many of her old tricks, but Ramses, Nefret, and David made up for it. Amelia and Emerson were just as they always are, but I have to say that they took a back seat in this narrative and where much more parental then they have been in the other novels. I am not saying this is a bad thing, but they weren't scrambling all over the desert in the middle of the night in this novel. Also it seems that they are much more protective of Nefret then they ever were of Ramses. It might be because she is a girl, but at times it bothered me a little. Nefret is always described so perfect that she also annoys me sometimes. I would have thought better of her if she had punched Dolly at some point. It needed to be done. I liked that we finally, FINALLY, got to see an emotional side of Ramses and really start to understand him as more than Amelia's slightly annoying son. How hurt he was by Bastet's death really made me want to hug him, though he didn't show it other than being annoyed with Sekhmet. Also his annoyance with Dolly was quite fun to read, especially when she ambushed him. I adored the parts of the novel that were from his point and view or at least close to him and am looking forward to more of them in later novels. I think Ramses's journals are going to be just as entertaining as his mothers. The only character complaint I have is poor David. I felt as if he was just a blank character that was thrown in every time another character was needed in the conversation. I do hope he is given more of a character in later novels. He seems like a sweet boy, but he is no where are rich a character as they other Emersons. I do want to know more about him other than being Ramses's sidekick. Overall a fun and enjoyable story
Do You like book Seeing A Large Cat (2015)?
The ninth book of the Amelia Peabody series, Seeing a Large Cat, is a significant turning point in the overall saga of the Emerson family. It's the first of the internal quartet of books that follows the arc of the love story between Ramses and Nefret, and it's also the first where Elizabeth Peters starts including the points of view of both Ramses and Nefret in the narrative. Up until this point she'd already been using the schtick of a hypothetical "Editor" who's organizing the overall collect
—Angela
If you're a gamer, you'll know what I mean when I explain that Ramses suddenly turns from a DNPC into a PC in this book. What's more, he's a PC with as many points as his parents, who have been accumulating XP for eight books.In particular, I admire how Ms. Peters has handled the transformation. The Manuscript H might be a slightly precious device but it offers a fairly seamless transition into another POV, a trick in a series so deeply dedicated to a first-person singular narrative. It also tak
—Amanda
I've wanted to read one of the Amelia Peabody mysteries for quite a while, and when I found out that some of the audiobooks were read by Barbara Rosenblat (who is simply phenomenal in the recordings of the Mrs. Pollifax series), I decided to begin with audio. Rosenblat does indeed do a masterful job, creating distinct and engaging voices for each character.Unfortunately, I only made it one disc in. Sweet jesus - 73 minutes and it was nothing but descriptions of clothing and cats and "what I did over summer vacation" essays. When does the plot teased on the jacket copy begin? I won't find out, because there's no way I'm listening to 11 more cds.I may still try to read one of the books - at least you can skim at your own pace when you read.
—Andrea
