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Mara, Daughter of the Nile  By  cover art

Mara, Daughter of the Nile

By: Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Narrated by: Tara Sands
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Publisher's summary

This compelling story of adventure, romance, and intrigue, set in ancient Egypt, was written by the three-time Newbery Honor and Edgar Award winning author Eloise Jarvis McGraw.

Mara is a proud and beautiful slave girl who yearns for freedom in ancient Egypt, under the rule of Queen Hatshepsut. Mara is not like other slaves; she can read and write, as well as speak the language of Babylonian. So, to barter for her freedom, she finds herself playing the dangerous role of double spy for two arch enemies—each of whom supports a contender for the throne of Egypt.

Against her will, Mara finds herself falling in love with one of her masters, the noble Sheftu, and she starts to believe in his plans of restoring Thutmose III to the throne. But just when Mara is ready to offer Sheftu her help and her heart, her duplicity is discovered, and a battle ensues in which both Mara’s life and the fate of Egypt are at stake.

“Dangerous espionage, an unusual love story, and richly drawn background make this a book to capture quick and lasting interest.”—Horn Book

©2018 Eloise Jarvis McGraw (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“Dangerous espionage, an unusual love story, and richly drawn background make this a book to capture quick and lasting interest.” (Horn Book)

“Thoroughly engrossing.” (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about Mara, Daughter of the Nile

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story, HORRIBLE narration. Just AWFUL

I bought this book—Well, the recording—As I read it numerous times when I was growing up. As an adult and I see it is rather juvenile, but going back to my childhood for a few hours made it worthwhile.

However the recording was so poorly done it really ruined the book.

Not the quality of the recording, but the poor recording by the narrator. Please, take some time and listen to Frank Muller or Scott Brick .... this reading was so overdone, even for a children’s book.

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18 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Story is an old favorite. Narrator a poor fit.

An old favorite from my pre-teen years. Have read many times as a pre-teen, teen and yes, as an adult. Love the story, and the book. Started me on a lifetime love of Ancient Egypt. Unfortunately, the narrator is a poor fit for the historical nature of the story and made the heroine, Mara, sound like either a petulant Valley Girl or a dubbed Anime character. Distracting, and irritating. I love this book and would love to see a version with a different narrator.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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8 out of 10 for sure!

Any additional comments?

Eloise Jarvis McGraw the author of “Mara Daughter of the Nile,” gives a wonderful picture of ancient Egypt through the eyes of a young slave woman. I first read this book as a middle school assignment and loved it. While it is not my normal genre, I found it to be an astonishingly entertaining. The book fallows a seventeen-year-old slave girl Mara who gets caught up in the mad schemes Egyptian nobility. All the while falling in love and becoming the hero of the region. I personally think this book holds up very well to the modern styles of writing.
The book was originally published in 1963, yet the style of the narrator as well as the writing give almost a modern feel. In the end the book had a rather narrow plot, but it worked. There is not much of anything surprising, gruesome, disgusting, or disturbing. Over all, it is a very clean book that I would recommend to all ages. 8 out of 10 for sure!

Pros:
1. Excellent Narrator (listened on 1.5 speed)
2. Decent story
3. Phenomenal writing

Cons:
1. Simple plot
2. Maybe a bit rushed

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10 people found this helpful

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One of THE BEST BOOKS EVER WRITTEN!!!!!!!

Oh my cow! This is one of the most intense, enjoyable, methodical, romantic and dramatic plots and stories I've ever heard! This is the definition of what it means to be a skilled writer! If any one has any genuine taste for professional literature, this will be your next favorite book. Definately one of those books/stories I could and probably will listen to many times.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Story never got old

I read this book in the late 1950’s as a teenager. I enjoyed it just now as much as I did all those years ago. Great plot and characters with fast paced action. I wish Audible had more of this author’s work.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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My class loved it!

I did a novel study of this book with my 7th grade classroom and they loved it! The ending was so much fun to read with them!

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing book to tead

This was an amazing book to listen to

I highly recommend this book to all

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Suspenseful and satisfying

Enjoyed the narrator and the tale set in ancient Egypt. The twisting plot was excellent! The romance is not overbearing but boys might not like that aspect.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great story great reader

Great book!! Amazing reader, she did the voices very well and I loved how she made the characters come alive. They were mad, happy, emotional, excited etc. she didn't just drone on and read. Wonderful job.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my gosh! I love this book so much!!!! I’ve reread it at least 7 times!! It’s definitely my favorite book of all time! I recommend this book to ages 10 and up. It’s incredibly well written and the narrator did an awesome job!

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1 person found this helpful