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'Agatha's most beautiful and profound play, brilliant in its delineation of character, tense with drama. The treatment comes as near to historical plausibility as any play about the past can be. The Egyptian court life and the vagaries of Egyptian religion come alive. The characters themselves are here submitted to exceptionally penetrating analytical treatment, because they are not merely subservient to the dénouement of a murder plot, but each one is a prime agent in the development of a real historical drama.' MAX MALLOWAN
'Akhnaton is a drama of ruthless logic and theatrical power. It deals in a complex way with a number of issues: the difference between superstition and reverence, the danger of rash iconoclasm, the value of the arts, the nature of love, the conflicts set up by the concept of loyalty, and the tragedy apparently inherent in the inevitability of change. A fascinating play.' CHARLES OSBORNE
Product Description
For the first time since its original one-off publication in 1973, a replica edition of Agatha Christie’s rarest book, the drama of King Akhnaton’s doomed attempt to subvert the old religion of ancient Egypt, based on Christie’s researches in Luxor.
Set in 1350 BC, the legend of Akhnaton tells of the Pharoah’s attempt to convince his nation to abandon their old ‘pagan’ god Amon and to turn to the worship of a new deity, the monotheistic sun god, Aton.
Introduced to the legend by Howard Carter, discoverer of Tutankhamun’s tomb, when she met him in Luxor in 1931, Agatha Christie became fascinated by both the story and the society in which it took place. Her painstaking researches led to this retelling of the story in the form of a highly readable and dramatic two-hour play.
Akhnaton was written by Agatha Christie in 1937, when her interest in Egyptology from her travels with her archaeologist husband was at its height. Probably her most serious play, it was deemed too ambitious to be performed, and it went unknown and unpublished until Collins released a hardback edition in 1973. Never paperbacked or published subsequently, this rare edition has become the Holy Grail for Agatha Christie collectors, keen to learn more about this unique drama and to discover its relevance alongside her other Egyptian books such as Death Comes As the End, Death on the Nile, Appointment With Death and Come, Tell Me How You Live. Now this facsimile edition of the original hardback at last gives Christie fans the chance to discover for themselves one of Agatha Christie’s most highly sought after and exotic creations.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
Being interested in Ancient Egypt and ancient history in general, I heard a story that Agatha Christie wrote a play called `Akhnaton' in 1937. She stated, "That she never thought that the play would be produced but that she simply enjoyed writing plays or writing something different from that which she was used to". Thus this play was never published until 1973.
The edition presented here is the 2009 hard cover facsimile edition of the 1973 version of the book by the same publishers HarperCollins.
The story is set in Ancient Egypt, and follows the exploits of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhnaton, his wife Nefertiti and his successor Tutankhaton (who would take the name Tutankhamun when he became Pharaoh); and is written in three acts (with over 20 speaking parts) as follows:
- Act One -
Scene One: The Great Courtyard of the Royal Palace of Amenhotep III in the City of No Amon (Thebes).
Scene Two: A room in the Palace (three years later).
Scene Three: The Bank of the Nile 300 miles below Thebes (a month later).
- Act Two -
Scene One: A bank of the Nile in the City of No Amon (eight years later).
Scene Two: The King's Pavilion in the City of the Horizon (six months later).
Scene Three: Horemheb's apartments in the City of the Horizon (a year later).
- Act Three -
Scene One: The King's Pavilion (three years later).
Scene Two: A street in No Amon (six months later).
Scene Three: A room in the High Priest's house (the same day).
Scene Four: A room in the Palace of the City of the Horizon (a month later).
- Epilogue -
I have found that Agatha Christie has portrayed Akhnaton within the book as somewhat of an insane and mad Pharaoh, (in my view) although it is not (that) obvious at first, and his characterization not that too intelligent-as it should not be; as Agatha has done with her secondary characters within this play. This is probably because we know so little about Akhnaton that Agatha has used artistic license to give him some substance, albeit only limited. Akhnaton seems to be obsessed with his one-god policy within this play above all and everything else is irrelevant, including those around him. The real gem of a character within this play is Horemheb, as I have found him to be more flexible and in conflict with duty to the king and/or his country-Egypt.
All in all I believe Agatha could have done a better job in portraying Akhnaton as a more philosophical king with a vision of his religion, this would strengthen his character to the excellent. But Agatha as intelligent as she is a writer, has not the philosophical view and/or understanding that are needed to give this play its fuller attention and scope-in my mind.
In any case I was totally surprised with Agatha's style as a playwright (she normally writes crime), I enjoyed this play regardless of its faults (personal) as a whole, this is a fascinating insight into Ancient Egypt and Akhnaton and in Agatha Christie herself. It is refreshing to see writers of her caliber digress into other genres to express themselves and break away from their chosen genre to experiment other avenues and ideas that normally would not be present or represented in their field of expertise.
I would also recommend, `Akhenaten' by Dorothy Porter, a verse novel, and `Akhnaten' by Philip Glass, an Opera, available on CD.
With the above, you will have three different forms of presentation on Akhenaton and Ancient Egypt in general, all are worth a read and a listen, you won't be disappointed with them.
Purchase `Akhnaton' by Agatha Christie, it's a fascinating read by an author who has given so much to the genre of crime fiction, and see another side of her proficiency, ability and expertise as a writer.
Thanks to Wikipedia and the book for additional information for this review.
The edition presented here is the 2009 hard cover facsimile edition of the 1973 version of the book by the same publishers HarperCollins.
The story is set in Ancient Egypt, and follows the exploits of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhnaton, his wife Nefertiti and his successor Tutankhaton (who would take the name Tutankhamun when he became Pharaoh); and is written in three acts (with over 20 speaking parts) as follows:
- Act One -
Scene One: The Great Courtyard of the Royal Palace of Amenhotep III in the City of No Amon (Thebes).
Scene Two: A room in the Palace (three years later).
Scene Three: The Bank of the Nile 300 miles below Thebes (a month later).
- Act Two -
Scene One: A bank of the Nile in the City of No Amon (eight years later).
Scene Two: The King's Pavilion in the City of the Horizon (six months later).
Scene Three: Horemheb's apartments in the City of the Horizon (a year later).
- Act Three -
Scene One: The King's Pavilion (three years later).
Scene Two: A street in No Amon (six months later).
Scene Three: A room in the High Priest's house (the same day).
Scene Four: A room in the Palace of the City of the Horizon (a month later).
- Epilogue -
I have found that Agatha Christie has portrayed Akhnaton within the book as somewhat of an insane and mad Pharaoh, (in my view) although it is not (that) obvious at first, and his characterization not that too intelligent-as it should not be; as Agatha has done with her secondary characters within this play. This is probably because we know so little about Akhnaton that Agatha has used artistic license to give him some substance, albeit only limited. Akhnaton seems to be obsessed with his one-god policy within this play above all and everything else is irrelevant, including those around him. The real gem of a character within this play is Horemheb, as I have found him to be more flexible and in conflict with duty to the king and/or his country-Egypt.
All in all I believe Agatha could have done a better job in portraying Akhnaton as a more philosophical king with a vision of his religion, this would strengthen his character to the excellent. But Agatha as intelligent as she is a writer, has not the philosophical view and/or understanding that are needed to give this play its fuller attention and scope-in my mind.
In any case I was totally surprised with Agatha's style as a playwright (she normally writes crime), I enjoyed this play regardless of its faults (personal) as a whole, this is a fascinating insight into Ancient Egypt and Akhnaton and in Agatha Christie herself. It is refreshing to see writers of her caliber digress into other genres to express themselves and break away from their chosen genre to experiment other avenues and ideas that normally would not be present or represented in their field of expertise.
I would also recommend, `Akhenaten' by Dorothy Porter, a verse novel, and `Akhnaten' by Philip Glass, an Opera, available on CD.
With the above, you will have three different forms of presentation on Akhenaton and Ancient Egypt in general, all are worth a read and a listen, you won't be disappointed with them.
Purchase `Akhnaton' by Agatha Christie, it's a fascinating read by an author who has given so much to the genre of crime fiction, and see another side of her proficiency, ability and expertise as a writer.
Thanks to Wikipedia and the book for additional information for this review.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
Akhnaton - The Heretic King Before His Time
9 Mar 2012
Format:Hardcover
Being interested in Ancient Egypt and ancient history in general, I heard a story that Agatha Christie wrote a play called `Akhnaton' in 1937. She stated, "That she never thought that the play would be produced but that she simply enjoyed writing plays or writing something different from that which she was used to". Thus this play was never published until 1973.
The edition that I have is the 2009 hard cover facsimile edition of the 1973 version of the book by the same publishers HarperCollins.
The story is set in Ancient Egypt, and follows the exploits of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhnaton, his wife Nefertiti and his successor Tutankhaton (who would take the name Tutankhamun when he became Pharaoh); and is written in three acts (with over 20 speaking parts) as follows:
- Act One -
Scene One: The Great Courtyard of the Royal Palace of Amenhotep III in the City of No Amon (Thebes).
Scene Two: A room in the Palace (three years later).
Scene Three: The Bank of the Nile 300 miles below Thebes (a month later).
- Act Two -
Scene One: A bank of the Nile in the City of No Amon (eight years later).
Scene Two: The King's Pavilion in the City of the Horizon (six months later).
Scene Three: Horemheb's apartments in the City of the Horizon (a year later).
- Act Three -
Scene One: The King's Pavilion (three years later).
Scene Two: A street in No Amon (six months later).
Scene Three: A room in the High Priest's house (the same day).
Scene Four: A room in the Palace of the City of the Horizon (a month later).
- Epilogue -
I have found that Agatha Christie has portrayed Akhnaton within the book as somewhat of an insane and mad Pharaoh, (in my view) although it is not (that) obvious at first, and his characterization not that too intelligent-as it should not be; as Agatha has done with her secondary characters within this play. This is probably because we know so little about Akhnaton that Agatha has used artistic license to give him some substance, albeit only limited. Akhnaton seems to be obsessed with his one-god policy within this play above all and everything else is irrelevant, including those around him. The real gem of a character within this play is Horemheb, as I have found him to be more flexible and in conflict with duty to the king and/or his country-Egypt.
All in all I believe Agatha could have done a better job in portraying Akhnaton as a more philosophical king with a vision of his religion, this would strengthen his character to the excellent. But Agatha as intelligent as she is a writer, has not the philosophical view and/or understanding that are needed to give this play its fuller attention and scope-in my mind.
In any case I was totally surprised with Agatha's style as a playwright (she normally writes crime), I enjoyed this play regardless of its faults (personal) as a whole, this is a fascinating insight into Ancient Egypt and Akhnaton and in Agatha Christie herself. It is refreshing to see writers of her caliber digress into other genres to express themselves and break away from their chosen genre to experiment other avenues and ideas that normally would not be present or represented in their field of expertise.
I would also recommend, `Akhenaten' by Dorothy Porter, a verse novel, and `Akhnaten' by Philip Glass, an Opera, available on CD.
With the above, you will have three different forms of presentation on Akhenaton and Ancient Egypt in general, all are worth a read and a listen, you won't be disappointed with them.
Purchase `Akhnaton' by Agatha Christie, it's a fascinating read by an author who has given so much to the genre of crime fiction, and see another side of her proficiency, ability and expertise as a writer.
Thanks to Wikipedia and the book for additional information for this review.
The edition that I have is the 2009 hard cover facsimile edition of the 1973 version of the book by the same publishers HarperCollins.
The story is set in Ancient Egypt, and follows the exploits of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhnaton, his wife Nefertiti and his successor Tutankhaton (who would take the name Tutankhamun when he became Pharaoh); and is written in three acts (with over 20 speaking parts) as follows:
- Act One -
Scene One: The Great Courtyard of the Royal Palace of Amenhotep III in the City of No Amon (Thebes).
Scene Two: A room in the Palace (three years later).
Scene Three: The Bank of the Nile 300 miles below Thebes (a month later).
- Act Two -
Scene One: A bank of the Nile in the City of No Amon (eight years later).
Scene Two: The King's Pavilion in the City of the Horizon (six months later).
Scene Three: Horemheb's apartments in the City of the Horizon (a year later).
- Act Three -
Scene One: The King's Pavilion (three years later).
Scene Two: A street in No Amon (six months later).
Scene Three: A room in the High Priest's house (the same day).
Scene Four: A room in the Palace of the City of the Horizon (a month later).
- Epilogue -
I have found that Agatha Christie has portrayed Akhnaton within the book as somewhat of an insane and mad Pharaoh, (in my view) although it is not (that) obvious at first, and his characterization not that too intelligent-as it should not be; as Agatha has done with her secondary characters within this play. This is probably because we know so little about Akhnaton that Agatha has used artistic license to give him some substance, albeit only limited. Akhnaton seems to be obsessed with his one-god policy within this play above all and everything else is irrelevant, including those around him. The real gem of a character within this play is Horemheb, as I have found him to be more flexible and in conflict with duty to the king and/or his country-Egypt.
All in all I believe Agatha could have done a better job in portraying Akhnaton as a more philosophical king with a vision of his religion, this would strengthen his character to the excellent. But Agatha as intelligent as she is a writer, has not the philosophical view and/or understanding that are needed to give this play its fuller attention and scope-in my mind.
In any case I was totally surprised with Agatha's style as a playwright (she normally writes crime), I enjoyed this play regardless of its faults (personal) as a whole, this is a fascinating insight into Ancient Egypt and Akhnaton and in Agatha Christie herself. It is refreshing to see writers of her caliber digress into other genres to express themselves and break away from their chosen genre to experiment other avenues and ideas that normally would not be present or represented in their field of expertise.
I would also recommend, `Akhenaten' by Dorothy Porter, a verse novel, and `Akhnaten' by Philip Glass, an Opera, available on CD.
With the above, you will have three different forms of presentation on Akhenaton and Ancient Egypt in general, all are worth a read and a listen, you won't be disappointed with them.
Purchase `Akhnaton' by Agatha Christie, it's a fascinating read by an author who has given so much to the genre of crime fiction, and see another side of her proficiency, ability and expertise as a writer.
Thanks to Wikipedia and the book for additional information for this review.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
great book
16 Feb 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Tred for years to find this book. I am so pleased to have found it. It was a great read years ago. Can't wait to read anew
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