Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 28, 1994 TAG: 9405300008
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Reviewed by HARRIET LITTLE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
The novel also reveals his interest in plants, animals, cooking, gardening, astronomy, astrology, science, architecture and military tactics. The delightful Taita is also a eunuch slave who, at the novel's beginning, escorts his beloved 14-year-old mistress, Lostris, during a hippopotamus hunt on the Nile, ``the river that was her patron god.''
Even at this early point in the plot, Taita makes the point that Lostris' growing love for the dazzling young Tanus is hopeless as her father, one of Egypt's most powerful men, has other plans for his daughter, leading to dizzying and dangerous directions.
Set about 1780 B.C., ``River God'' reveals a divided Upper Kingdom of Egypt under the weak Pharoah Mamose. At the sudden arrival of the ``Shepherd King,'' the Hyksos sweep into Egypt with horses and chariots like ``a fleet of ships that comes sailing over dry land.''
All of Taita's skill and cleverness will be severely tested in his desire to protect both Lostris and Tanus as well as ``this very Egypt'' and his own life as well. Throughout, Taita emerges as an absolutely original character whose devotion never flags. The reader's attention never flags either in Smith's adventure- filled saga.
RIVER GOD By Wilbur Smith. St. Martin's. $24.95.
Harriet Little teaches at James River high school.
by CNB