Ancient Evenings by Norman Mailer

Norman Mailer's 'Ancient Evenings' is a vivid and immersive exploration of ancient Egypt, focusing on the eighteenth-dynasty Pharaoh Rameses and his wife, Queen Nefertiti. The novel follows Menenhetet, a reincarnated protagonist who navigates the lush gardens of the royal harem, the majestic Nile, and the brutal clash of battle. Mailer's extraordinary work of inventiveness breathes life into the figures of a lost era, creating a haunting and magical place that lingers in the mind long after the final page. Praise for 'Ancient Evenings' highlights its astounding beauty and the miraculous way Mailer brings to life the rhythms, images, and sensuousness of a lost time. The novel is compared to the works of Thomas Pynchon and Carlos Fuentes, showcasing Mailer's unparalleled imagination and depth. Critics have lauded Mailer's ability to grow richer in wisdom with each new book, making 'Ancient Evenings' a testament to his mastery of the craft.

Reviews

A Son of the Rock · 2020-08-22

mixed 3.00

The novel is overwritten and the attempts to mimic ancient Egyptian speech patterns fall short. However, the musicality and depth of the work are noted as impressive.

The review from 'A Son of the Rock' offers a mixed perspective on 'Ancient Evenings'. They acknowledge that Mailer makes a fair attempt to mimic ancient Egyptian speech patterns and phraseology, but ultimately find the novel to be overwritten. Despite this, they note the musicality and depth of the work as impressive. The review suggests that while the book has its flaws, it also has moments of greatness that make it a compelling read. They appreciate the ambition and effort put into the novel, even if the execution is not always perfect.

Quick quotes

Mailer makes a fair enough attempt to mimic ancient Egyptian speech patterns and phraseology but in the main the novel is overwritten, which ...

The beginning was staggering, and I was floored by the musicality ...

It was knocking on the door of greatness, and I was floored by the musicality ...

Spike Magazine · 2003-09-01

brilliant 4.50

The novel is a work of genius that leaves a lasting impression. It is a rich and evocative exploration of ancient Egypt that stands out as a remarkable achievement.

The review in Spike Magazine is overwhelmingly positive. They describe 'Ancient Evenings' as a bona fide work of genius that leaves a palpable sense of relief upon finishing. The novel is praised for its rich and evocative exploration of ancient Egypt, which stands out as a remarkable achievement. They highlight Mailer's ability to breathe life into the figures of that era, making it a deeply engaging and stimulating read. The review suggests that the book is a masterpiece that captures the essence of its subject matter beautifully.

Quick quotes

The sense of relief is palpable. I was left with the impression that Ancient Evenings is a bona fide work of genius.

This book has taken me a long time to get through -- about three months, with other shorter books read in between. It's a stimulating and engaging read, despite ...

I can only tell you my experience of the book. It was knocking on the door of greatness, and I was floored by the musicality ...

London Review of Books · Ian Hamilton · 1983-06-16

disappointing 1.50

The story is a collection of bloated and distorted well-known tales, and the narrative is often convoluted. The book's attempts at depth and complexity fall short, making it a disappointing read.

Ian Hamilton's review of 'Ancient Evenings' is quite critical. They find that the story is essentially a collection of well-known tales, but these are bloated and distorted by Mailer's writing. The narrative is often convoluted, and the book's attempts at depth and complexity fall short. Hamilton suggests that the book is more of a misguided folly rather than a successful novel. They feel that Mailer's ambitions outstrip his execution, resulting in a disappointing read that doesn't live up to the grandeur of its subject matter.

Quick quotes

The 'story' of Ancient Evenings is really a collection of stories, most of them well-known, and all of them bloated and distorted by Mailer's ...

What is more, describing the book simply as a failure - a near-miss ...

It's an unintentionally hilarious tale of mysticism and royal bloodlines in ancient Egypt, a grandly misguided folly in the best traditions of Mailer.

Appears in Lists

The Best Norman Mailer Books