Nefertiti by Author Michelle Moran
The Story of the Queen of Egypt from an Entirely New Point of View
Nefertiti, by Michelle Moran (2007 Crown) is the amazing retelling of the story of the Queen of Egypt. The story begins with her childhood, and introduces the reader to her parents as well as to her sister, a primary character throughout the book.
Nefertiti's Beginnings
Nefertiti came to power at the age of fifteen, in 1351 BC. Her sister, Mutnodjmet, was thirteen. Together, she and her sister went to see the pharaoh Amunhotep, to whom Nefertiti is betrothed. What is most striking at the beginning of this novel is the vast differences between Nefertiti and her younger sister.
Nefertiti is portrayed as domineering, spoiled and ambitious. Her sister, however, is quiet, thoughtful and giving to a fault. Their parents firmly believe that anything will be done to keep Nefertiti as Queen of Egypt, and they sacrifice whatever they can to make this happen.
It is, therefore, a constant theme throughout the book: that of parental involvement in a child's future. Nefertiti's father is the power behind the throne, often making decisions with Nefertiti without consulting her husband, Amunhotep of the 18th dynasty. The Pharaoh, in fact, is characterized as a childish man who adores his wife and rules according to her whim, but wants the adoration of the people in the process.
The story is told through the first person point of view of Nefertiti's sister, Mutnodjmet, and it is through her that the reader learns of the Pharaoh’s decision to bring a new god to Egypt, Aten, the sun god. Historically the worship of the god can be seen in Nefertiti's tomb, as well as several others in Egypt.
Politics in Nefertiti's Ancient Egypt
As in any form of government, politics played an enormous part of Egyptian culture. With Nefertiti as Co-regent to the Pharaoh, she sets herself up as above the gods, but she never forgets that the people she rules can turn against her at any time. She is the ultimate politician, keeping her family close to her and ignoring their needs, while remaining the favourite.
Her father vies with the counsellor Panahesi, a cousin, for political power with the Pharaoh, who continues to listen to the counsellor as he listens to his father in law. The politicians play a dangerous game, and eventually it comes to a head.
Amunhotep too, plays with politics in his desire to be Pharaoh. He plots and schemes against his own parents, and these same parents would see him dead.
Religion in Nefertiti's Egypt
It is Amunhotep who decides to build the temple to Aten and move the capital to Memphis, far away from the city of his people, who will be expected to follow. During this time, the Hittites begin marching on Egypt, far to the north in Kadesh. Amunhotep, involved in his own wealth and temples and god, ignores this threat, to the ultimate detriment of his people. It is here that politics, family and religion collide, and Moran does a phenomenal job of depicting the complexity and personalities involved in these changes.
Love in Nefertiti
Perhaps at the most basic level, this is a love story. Nefertiti, even with her hunger for power, and Amunhotep with his childish desire to be adored completely, find themselves deeply in love. Moran writes, "At the bed Akhenaten was standing over Nefertiti, holding her while she heaved into a cup."
It was a strangely tender scene--This man, who thought nothing of sending men to their death, hovering over his queen while she was sick" (227). Mutnojdmet, too, falls in love and tries to move away from the family and court so that she can attend to her own life.
The reader travels the perilous journey she takes in order to live with the man she loves. She is a physician, trained in medicinal herbs and plays midwife to her sister, even though it puts her own life at risk.
The love of family is paramount as well, especially that between the sisters. Through folly and arguments and total disaster, they never forget their love for one another, even when life becomes most bleak. The next generation comes forward to carry on the love of family and the need to rule more wisely than their parents have done.
About Michele Moran
Historian Michelle Moran got her degree in California, and has travelled extensively. Her interest in archaeology developed into an interest in writing about Egypt. Her next book, The Heretic Queen, about Nefertiti's daughter, comes out in September. Her website has an amazing amount of information, especially for writers and readers of historical fiction..
