The Cat of Bubastes
by G.A. Henty

Reading the first chapter of The Cat of Bubastes by G. A. Henty was a
mistake.  I had planned to take the book with me on vacation. About a week
before vacation, I was organizing things to be packed. I came across The Cat
of Bubastes and thought I would just skim the first chapter.  The book was
so intriguing and exciting that I finished the whole book in a matter of two
days.

The book is the story of an unlikely friendship between the son of the high
priest of Osiris and the captive prince of a conquered nation.  Due to the
open mindedness of the high priest, the boys are encouraged to be friends
instead of master and slave.  The high priest also voices his doubts of the
polytheistic religion of Ancient Egypt.

The first part of the book gives a detailed picture of life among the upper
class in Egypt under the reign of Pharaoh Thotmes.  The religious duties,
burial customs, animal worship and education customs are examined.  The
Hebrews are introduced in the character Ruth.  The second half of the book
deals with the fate of the boys when the sacred cat of Bubastes is
accidentally killed.  As the boys must flee Egypt, they meet many
interesting people, including a young Prince Moses who has just begun to
examine his "roots".

I would highly recommend the book for any family interested in ancient
Egypt.  I found nothing objectionable that I would need to skip over with my
two children, both under nine years old.  Boys will love the book because
there is warfare and mummification.  Girls will love the book because there
is a kidnaped girl who must be rescued before she is forced to marry her
family's enemy and because true love prevails in the end.  Parents will love
the book because it is a good read and the prose is wonderful.  Now can
anyone suggest a good book for vacation?

Reviewed by Nannette Halliwell, Immaculate Heart Homeschool
recently reprinted in Heart and Mind