The Double Crown by Marié Heese

As a reader of history and fiction books Fanatics felt you might enjoy The Double Crown by Marié Heese. It is the gripping, fascinating and true story of Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh who ruled over Egypt for two decades around 1500 BC.

The "double crown" refers to her reign over Upper and Lower Egypt, but also the dual nature of her life: Pharaoh and woman in one person. She relates her story in a series of scrolls, with additions by her scribe, to whom she has given the scrolls for safekeeping. We read about the grievous loss of her children; her thwarted love for Senenmut; the suspicion that impairs her judgement and eventually leads to tragedy.

How did Hatshepsut become pharaoh? And why was her name expunged from her temples and obelisks after her death? The novel answers these questions in rich detail. It is a poignant portrayal of an ambitious and courageous woman and the betrayals she faces, both as a woman and a ruler. The Double Crown is a truly world-class novel by a South African author.

Marié Heese is a much loved author of, amongst others, children’s stories. 2008 saw a new edition of the evergreen Die Pikkewouters van Amper-stamperland. Marié also is the author of several works of fiction for adults, such as the classic Die Uurwerk Kantel (1976) and most recently The Double Crown (2009).