Historical Fiction
She Was Pharaoh: A Fictional Account of the Life of Pharaoh Hatshepsut-Ma’atkara
Elizabeth Crane
2009
Red Lead Press
ISBN: 978-1-4349-6237-9
Pages: 256
She Was Pharaoh is writer Elizabeth Crane’s fictional account of the life of Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Crane, a scholar of ancient cultures, creates a colorful and detail-rich depiction of Egypt’s royal family. From her highly disciplined childhood to her troubled years prior to her death, Hatshepsut’s world is brought to life in a manner that displays both the power and weakness of this amazing woman.
Hatshepsut, affectionately known as Hati, received the traditional training for becoming a Great Royal Wife beginning at age six. She was betrothed to her half-brother Thutmose II, Thut, at sixteen-years-old when her father, the sitting pharaoh, died. Before his death, Thutmose I informed his daughter that she would be the actual ruler of Egypt as Thut was lazy, out of shape, and lacking ambition beyond his sexual conquests. As the Great Royal Wife, Hati began her reign over the land.
Senemut, the architect, became Hatshepsut’s steward, assisting her with the daily tasks of running the country. Later, Senemut became her lover. After Thut died from a prolonged illness when Hati was only twenty-nine, Senemut also became the adoptive father to Hati and Thut’s daughter, Neferure, and Thut’s son Peru. Throughout her childhood and transformation into pharaoh, Hati was assisted by her wet nurse turned personal assistant, Sitre-In.
“It is generally agreed that Hatshepsut became Pharaoh Ma’atkara around 1477 B.C. She rules the greatest and most prosperous empire on earth for almost twenty-two years.” After Thut’s death, Hati made herself co-regent to the thrown with Peru and gradually assumed full control over Egypt.
From her early years through her rise to pharaoh, Crane portrays Hati as a strong, agile leader who manages the government and her family with ease and grace. She rules with diplomacy rather than military force. Egypt prospers under her leadership.
This is a great story. Readers with a love of Egyptian history will be intrigued by the descriptions of Egyptian life, the royal family, and the many monuments Hati commissioned. The early relationship between Hati and Senemut shows that love can create a partnership and build a family without the need of a ceremony, an official written declaration, or even blood. Towards the end of the couple’s relationship, when an aging Hati becomes sick with cancer, diabetes, and addiction, Crane illustrates how poor health and the strain of absolute power can destroy a union and devastate individual lives.
She Was Pharaoh is an artistic portrayal of Pharaoh Hatshepsut-Ma’atkara as god-like in her leadership over Egypt and frail and imperfect in her daily life as a woman. Ultimately, as Crane demonstrates in this tale of a powerful woman’s lifespan, regardless of our abilities, talents or privileges, we are all simply human.
Melissa Levine
for
Independent Professional Book Reviewers
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