Khufu and the Golden Eyes

Author's name: Zahi Hawass

Khufu and the Golden Eyes by Zahi Hawass. ... After introducing the world to Egyptian civilization in its greatest manifestations through his articles, travels, international participation, and media interviews, Dr. Zahi Hawass is now removing the mantle of archaeologist and donning, for the first time, the mantle of novelist. The Egyptian-Lebanese Publishing House has published his novel "Khufu and the Golden Eyes," co-written with Vernick Vernoy and translated from French by Dr. Nadia Shama. Dr. Zahi and Vernoy take us on an exciting journey into the past, to the era of the great King Khufu. Using fluent and wonderful language and engaging and exciting descriptions, Dr. Zahi and Vernoy take us on an exciting journey into the past, to the era of the great King Khufu. Through their eloquent and fascinating language, and their engaging and exciting descriptions, we learn how Khufu lived his childhood and youth. He enjoyed going out into the streets and frequenting bars, disguised as an ordinary man, unaware of the trappings of grandeur, to learn what people were saying about his great father, King Sneferu, and how they told exaggerated stories about palace life, the corridors of power, and the concubines of the harem. The novel tells us about Khufu's relationship with his father, King Sneferu, and how he imparted his teachings to him, most notably the necessity of establishing maat—justice—in his rule. It also tells us about his relationship with his mother, a strong, domineering woman who ran the harem with such skill that none of the concubines strayed from her orbit for a single moment. In Sinai, where his father sent him to Khufu, Khufu miraculously escapes from the trap of some hostile tribes. Despite King Sneferu’s anger at Khufu for bypassing his uncle, the army commander, and moving on his own to eliminate the traitors in their stronghold, Khufu became a legend in folk tales, a living legend whose stories are passed on by people. And now the opportunity comes to him on a golden platter to become the immortal king after his father’s departure and ascension to heaven and his merger with the great god “Ra.” He thinks of building a great edifice, the Great Pyramid, to surpass in its architectural system, its connection to the movement of the stars, and its massiveness any other great Egyptian building, including the pyramid of his father Sneferu. The novel brings us closer with great craftsmanship and a unique ability to depict the psychological conflict that takes place inside Ahmose, as he is exposed to multiple betrayals, the first from his sister who became his wife, the second from the priest of the temple of “Ra,” and the third from one of the extremely beautiful concubines. But Khufu was Cautious, he sleeps with his eyes open, sees ghosts, and hears distant whispers. While he was a tender, romantic man who lavished his feelings without measure, as shown in his relationship with the peasant girl who would become the mother of his son Khafre, he was also a cruel and ruthless man who knew that immortality has a price, so he did not hesitate to silence opponents, even if they were hiding behind the gods. In this novel, you will truly see ancient Egyptian reality in its most beautiful images, with its nobles of royal blue blood and the common people, with myths and magic. Thus, this novel acquires its unique flavor of dualities: excessive realism and great imagination, brutality and gentleness, the ordinary and the magical, light and darkness, man and gods, love and hate, tenderness and cruelty, as well as the desire to possess this world and the next.