The novel set the stage for the long sequence of novels Ackroyd has produced since, all of which deal in some way with the complex interaction of time and space, and what Ackroyd calls "the spirit of place". This novel deals with one of Ackroyd's great heroes, Charles Dickens, and is a reworking of Little Dorrit. In 1982 he published The Great Fire of London, his first novel.
He later moved into fiction and has become an acclaimed author, winning the 1998 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for the biography Thomas More and being shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1987.Īckroyd worked at The Spectator magazine between 19 and became joint managing editor in 1978. Eliot's Notes Towards the Definition of Culture (1948), was an early indication of Ackroyd's penchant for creatively exploring and reexamining the works of other London-based writers.Īckroyd's literary career began with poetry, including such works as London Lickpenny (1973) and The Diversions of Purley (1987). The result of this fellowship was Ackroyd's Notes for a New Culture, written when he was only 22 and eventually published in 1976. In 1972, he was a Mellon Fellow at Yale University in the United States. Benedict's, Ealing and at Clare College, Cambridge, from which he graduated with a double first in English. Reputedly, he first realized he was gay at the age of 7.Īckroyd was educated at St. He was reading newspapers by the age of 5 and, at 9, wrote a play about Guy Fawkes. Peter Ackroyd's mother worked in the personnel department of an engineering firm, his father having left the family home when Ackroyd was a baby. Reputedly, he first realized he was gay at the age Peter Ackroyd CBE is an English novelist and biographer with a particular interest in the history and culture of London. Peter Ackroyd CBE is an English novelist and biographer with a particular interest in the history and culture of London. Easy to read and delightfully illustrated, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Kingdom of the Dead.more That is about all that I could determine was wrong with this book. Also, Ackroyd calls the Egyptian Khopesh sward a "scimitar".
Galela kingdom of the dead full#
Kingdom of the Dead is not a very good description of a civilization as full of life as Ancient Egypt. There are few things that I dislike about this book however, I did find the title a bit off putting.
Indeed, I found the illustrations and models of ancient temples quite enchanting. The wealth of illustration help to bring the subject to life. Ackroyd is able to describe complexity and define basic terms in equal measure, serving to elaborate on his subject without either patronizing or confusing his audience. There are few things that I dislike about this book however, I did find the title a bi This was a fun, informative and wonderfully illustrated young reader's introduction to Egyptology. This was a fun, informative and wonderfully illustrated young reader's introduction to Egyptology.
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