The Seventh Scroll - Wilbur Smith

Smith, Wilbur. The Seventh Scroll. London: Pan Books. 1996. ISBN 0 330 34415 3

If in River God, Smith made us unobtrusive spectators in the drama of an Egyptian tale featuring a eunuch slave Taita, his beloved Tanus turned Queen Lostris and his friend turned Pharoah Mamose as they lived out their passions, loves, fears, betrayals, royal insurgencies and survival instincts on the shores of the mighty Nile, the Seventh Scroll takes us as fellow adventures alongside Royan al Simma, an archaegologist and Lord Quenton Harper, a rich man with a love for Egypt's ancient mysteries.

The two go on a quest of Pharaoh Mamose's tomb guided by Taita's Seventh Scroll in which he encrypts the keys to the tomb. A greedy billionaire prospector and his entourage of evil men follow them, even as Mek and Tessay, two of the proud descendants of Egypt's ancient glorious past and fellow rebels seek to join the mainstream of life.

All of them come together to set a searing pace that never slackens. It is fast; it is furious; it is menacing; it is redolent with the sights, smells and sounds of an Egypt 4000 years ago; it is cruel; it is gentle.

The action leading to the finding of the Tomb showcases Wilbur Smith's amazing capapcity for capturing details. If I believed in mysteries, I would say that Smith must've lived 4000 years ago to give us such minute details. I know research plays a major role, but research becomes a fabulous yarn, rich in details.

My favourite images in the book include the brilliance of incandescent colours bathing the Pharoah's tomb, Taita's handmade little wooden statue of himself and the dark deep pool with unseen predatory fish turning the pool into swirling red waters whenever a victim steps into it.

Like Taita, Wilbur Smith likes to leave something of himself in his work. He and his previous work, River God, become characters in this story - the author and his are integral in unravelling the secrets of the 7th Scroll.

Interesting reading.