Ramses the Great lives but having drunk the elixir of life he is now Ramses the Damned, doomed to wander the Earth seeking to quell hungers for food, for wine and for women. When he awakens in the drawing room of a house in Edwardian London he becomes infatuated with a beautiful shipping heiress.
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Review
Rice succeeds masterfully in blending horror and romance- Ramses is a fascinating character, heroic, yet tragically flawed by his human desires (Atlanta Journal )
The reader is held captive, and, ultimately, seduced (San Francisco Chronicle )
Vintage Anne Rice: quickly paced, elegantly erotic and full of enchanting terror (Detroit Free Press ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
The reader is held captive, and, ultimately, seduced (San Francisco Chronicle )
Vintage Anne Rice: quickly paced, elegantly erotic and full of enchanting terror (Detroit Free Press ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Book Description
'Vintage Anne Rice: quickly paced, elegantly erotic and full of enchanting terror' - Detroit Free Press (20031208)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Sexy immortals with angst to spare are the cornerstones of Anne Rice's fiction. "The Mummy or Ramses the Damned" takes a different direction, mixing romance with horror and supernatural thrills. It has its flaws, but the raw energy of the book keeps it roaring up to the finale.
Lawrence Stratford uncovers the mummy of Ramses the Second, or "Ramses the Damned." But before he can unravel the mysteries around the mummy, he's murdered by his amoral nephew Henry, and the mummy is shipped to England. Lawrence's daughter Julie takes possession both of the family fortune and the mummy -- only to have the mummy revive when exposed to sunlight, and try to kill the murderous Henry. He's Ramses, an Egyptian king who drank an elixir of eternal life taken from a Hittite priestess.
Long ago, he faked his own death and wandered the world, eventually returning to Egypt and becoming the mentor/lover of the legendary Cleopatra -- only to lose her first to Antony, then to death. At first, Ramses is thrilled by the early-twentieth-century England, and he and Julie start to fall in love. But on a trip to Egypt, he comes across the mummy of Cleopatra, and revives her with a vial of the elixir. Except that this Cleopatra is mad, murderous, torn by her old loves and hates -- and unkillable.
This is not your parents' "Mummy" story. Except for one mildly funny scene where Rameses first revives, there are no stumbling mummies covered in bandages. Instead we have a tortured immortal who wakes up into a new world, while still being rooted in the Egypt of three thousand years ago.... Read more ›
Lawrence Stratford uncovers the mummy of Ramses the Second, or "Ramses the Damned." But before he can unravel the mysteries around the mummy, he's murdered by his amoral nephew Henry, and the mummy is shipped to England. Lawrence's daughter Julie takes possession both of the family fortune and the mummy -- only to have the mummy revive when exposed to sunlight, and try to kill the murderous Henry. He's Ramses, an Egyptian king who drank an elixir of eternal life taken from a Hittite priestess.
Long ago, he faked his own death and wandered the world, eventually returning to Egypt and becoming the mentor/lover of the legendary Cleopatra -- only to lose her first to Antony, then to death. At first, Ramses is thrilled by the early-twentieth-century England, and he and Julie start to fall in love. But on a trip to Egypt, he comes across the mummy of Cleopatra, and revives her with a vial of the elixir. Except that this Cleopatra is mad, murderous, torn by her old loves and hates -- and unkillable.
This is not your parents' "Mummy" story. Except for one mildly funny scene where Rameses first revives, there are no stumbling mummies covered in bandages. Instead we have a tortured immortal who wakes up into a new world, while still being rooted in the Egypt of three thousand years ago.... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is a great book. Anne Rice in "The Mummy" I felt hit a real high and wrote what is undoubtedly my favourite book of hers. She spins a story here that brings together all of her familiar techniques at story telling; two stories in different time periods, development of separate characters and locations and then the collision of it all in the books climactic crescendo.
There is the usual central character familiar to Rice's novels, Ramses here, and how he is fashioned from Egyptian Pharaoh to immortal advisor of future rulers. Ramses early love for the Queen Cleopatra and then his dawning relationship with Julie Stratford the educated English lady help bring further depth to the story.
If you have an interest in Egyptology, mixed with a bit of mysticism, like me you will find Anne Rice's portrayal of Ramses world fascinating. Rice develops an elaborate and convincing web within which she places her main character clearly at the centre. Ramses views and ideologies help explain why he takes the actions he does and lead nicely into some interesting perspectives on the relatively more modern Edwardian period. His transition to immortal and the realisation that this is more of a curse than a gift is especially poignant.
I found this book to be faster paced than some of her others but none the worse for it and have always hoped that she would one day decide to write a sequel or similar novels (Servant of the Bones is probably her most similar in style to this). There is just the right mix of thriller, horror (relatively mild) and love to keep you spellbound throughout and a few twists that add extra intrigue. I would have no hesitation in recommending this apparently lesser known work of Anne Rice to all her fans and to others as a superb introduction to her style.
There is the usual central character familiar to Rice's novels, Ramses here, and how he is fashioned from Egyptian Pharaoh to immortal advisor of future rulers. Ramses early love for the Queen Cleopatra and then his dawning relationship with Julie Stratford the educated English lady help bring further depth to the story.
If you have an interest in Egyptology, mixed with a bit of mysticism, like me you will find Anne Rice's portrayal of Ramses world fascinating. Rice develops an elaborate and convincing web within which she places her main character clearly at the centre. Ramses views and ideologies help explain why he takes the actions he does and lead nicely into some interesting perspectives on the relatively more modern Edwardian period. His transition to immortal and the realisation that this is more of a curse than a gift is especially poignant.
I found this book to be faster paced than some of her others but none the worse for it and have always hoped that she would one day decide to write a sequel or similar novels (Servant of the Bones is probably her most similar in style to this). There is just the right mix of thriller, horror (relatively mild) and love to keep you spellbound throughout and a few twists that add extra intrigue. I would have no hesitation in recommending this apparently lesser known work of Anne Rice to all her fans and to others as a superb introduction to her style.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Don't be deterred by the corny title. Of all Rice's books I found this to be the most fascinating. True master of the pen, Rice actually makes you believe in the most unbelievable of characters. Who else would be brave enough to place Cleopatra in a 20th century Egypt and cunning enough weave it into such a glorious plot that you don't even bat an eyelid at her appearance!! A great cliffhanger of an ending ...... to be continued! WHEN!!!! PLEASE!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The book develops well and kept my attention all the way to the clifhanger ending . . . I've been waiting for Rice to write the continuation of the story for a long time but it doesn't seem to be coming. Don't buy this unless you're willing to put up with the frustration of NO ENDING.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Yet another amazing piece of writing from the master of "immortality". Although a little slow for the first 200 pages or so, the book rose to a heart pounding (if predictable) climax.
Not as sensual as the later "Vampire" books but the atmosphere is stunning. As with her other works you find yourself wondering if the story isn't a little more fact than fiction and that maybe, just maybe, Ramses is still out there somewhere .... AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR RICE FANS.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Kelly
Format:Paperback
This book is the best Anne Rice book. After reading this story, none of her others have come close, and in truth I have given up on them.
This is an amazing tale, the characters are great, and I have read this book at least twice in the last few years. Each time, I can barely put it down when I have started it. The only drawback is that it concludes with a promise of a sequel, and the path is left wide open for this. I read on an Anne Rice website that no sequel will be written until after the book has been turned into a film and released, which is a huge disappointment if true.
The story is beautifully written and crafted, and the only uncomfortable moment in the entire story is when one of the female characters invites Ramses to 'Batter down her virgin door'. It is a cringeworthy moment for those who don't buy in to the level of fluffy romance needed to accept that line as something an adult woman would say, but the rest of the book is wonderful. If you have a long train or plane journey coming up anytime soon, this is an excellent book to take with you, the time will pass so quickly.
This is an amazing tale, the characters are great, and I have read this book at least twice in the last few years. Each time, I can barely put it down when I have started it. The only drawback is that it concludes with a promise of a sequel, and the path is left wide open for this. I read on an Anne Rice website that no sequel will be written until after the book has been turned into a film and released, which is a huge disappointment if true.
The story is beautifully written and crafted, and the only uncomfortable moment in the entire story is when one of the female characters invites Ramses to 'Batter down her virgin door'. It is a cringeworthy moment for those who don't buy in to the level of fluffy romance needed to accept that line as something an adult woman would say, but the rest of the book is wonderful. If you have a long train or plane journey coming up anytime soon, this is an excellent book to take with you, the time will pass so quickly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
rather very mediocre
Having enjoyed her neurotic and interesting immortals in the Vampire chronicles and her bits about Egypt, I was (mistakenly) enthusiastic to read this one. Read more
Published on 6 May 2011 by rob crawford
4.0 out of 5 stars
for anyone who enjoys Anne Rice or Fantasy
anyone who enjoys Anne Rice or Fantasy
This is the second time I have read this book, as the last time was years ago. Read more
This is the second time I have read this book, as the last time was years ago. Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2010 by Rebecca
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easily her best (at least for me!)
For me, this is easily the best Anne Rice book. Unfortunately she has left a tantalizing ending with a promise that Ramses will return.
Still waiting. Read more
Still waiting. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2008 by Ms. L. J. Hackett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Doomed to be chosen, deemed to be lost
A novel of love, not horror. A novel of supernatural marvel, not of fantastic gore. Anne Rice is best in her literature when she tells a love story. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2008 by Jacques COULARDEAU
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best yet
I have read this book ten times and never find it less readable, I only wish that Anne Rice would write more novels with Egypt in mind, EXCELLENT READING
Published on 24 Mar 2008 by P. J. Archer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't EVER part with this book!
`The Mummy' was the second of Anne Rice's books that I read. If you are expecting a Vampire Chronicles or Mayfair Witches style of plot, you'd be wrong! Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2007 by Jabawoki
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Read!!!
I was quite sceptical about reading this book, as I think I had associated it with the film 'The Mummy' which I remembered to be tacky, althought the two are not linked. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2007 by Ms. J. K. Clarke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely great book!
I was very sceptical about reading the mummy, but after the first few pages i found it incredably hard to put down. Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2005
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Mummy: Or Ramses the Damned
Of all the books I have read by this spookily fantastic author (all of them to date!)I truly belive I left my heart and soul within the pages. Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2003 by "smartybaby44"
5.0 out of 5 stars
The romance of Ancient Egypt
A simply mesmerising book. Forget the Egyptology for a moment and it is the traditional bodice ripper, it sweeps you along on its romantic ride and you will love every second. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2003 by "midgeybear"
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