Pharaoh

A groundbreaking new translation of the only historical novelby noted Polish writer Bolesław Prus.

“ . . . unique in world literature of the nineteenth century”--CzesławMiłosz

Imbued with poetry, leavened with humor, andgraced with moments of transcendent beauty, Pharaoh offers a compellingpicture of life at every level of ancient Egyptian society.  As the story unfolds, Egypt is experiencinginternal stresses and external threats that will culminate in the fall of itsTwentieth Dynasty and New Kingdom. The young Pharaoh Ramses learns thatchallenging power leaves him vulnerable to seduction, defamation, intimidationand even assassination. The ultimate lesson learned by Ramses is the power ofknowledge.

Prus isa distinctive voice in world literature and was Joseph Conrad’s favorite Polishwriter. This new edition of Christopher Kasparek’s translation of Pharaoh vividlybrings this extraordinary novel to life. It includes a detailed foreword and annotations,based on extensive research and textual refinements, that will enhance thereader’s appreciation not only for ancient Egypt, but also for Prus’composition process.

Pharaoh has been translated intotwenty-three languages and was adapted as a 1966 Polish feature film.