Black Stars by Linda Barnett

Review by Paula L. Reynal

The Short:

A work of fiction loosely based on the turbulent life of Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s female pharaohs. 

The Long:

Although this book is a work of fiction, the author manages to bring to life ancient Egypt with a vivid tapestry of intricate details. From religious rituals to ancient Egyptian medicine and cosmetic routines. From military tactics to royal intrigue. The author showcases how precarious life in that particular time and place could be, especially for a member of the royal family. Linda Barnett’s book sheds light on the little-known life of Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh who was almost systematically erased from history by her successors, while engaging the reader with a  storyline that humanizes this historic leader. 

When taken as a work of fiction and not judged in an academic light, it is a book that piques the interest of its readers into learning more about the historical context of the time as well as some of the figures of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, also known as the Thutmosid Dynasty. The style of the writer is similar, yet different, to that of Philippa Gregory. Like Gregory, Barnett showcases and tells the usually untold stories of the women in power that have been written out of history. In this way, the reader gets a glimpse of Hatshepsut as she matures from a young girl who is forced to marry her brother and then manages to become Pharaoh after his “untimely” death. A number of other books and documentaries about Hatshepsut have been released as Egyptologists and archaeologists discover more about her, but it must be noted that Barnett’s work predates the Hatshepsut craze by a few years. 

The Read or not to read: 

Good book, but not for everybody. The book makes an interesting read, but it must be noted that much of the storyline is not based on facts. As long as the work is read as a work of fiction inspired by a deep knowledge of the culture, it makes for an engaging read.