Book Review:

BELSHAZZAR by Henry Rider Haggard

Rating: 4.2/5

Belshazzar is a historical novel. Where at the same time the ancient Egyptian and Babylonian governance and customs are highlighted. It mentions how cruel the kings were in ancient times and how many women they were addicted to. They had their own harem system for multiple queens and concubines. This is why they have many illegitimate children. Those who have royal blood in their body, but never get the recognition of being a prince or a princess. And so the rights to the throne are far away, they were neglected even by their own father, the king.

This novel revolves around one such king's son Ramose. Even though he was the son of the Pharaoh of Egypt, he was ordered to be executed by his own father. Then he found the little baby Mayra. To raise her with his father's love and affection, warrior Ramose turns into a businessman. But despite living a simple life, various political conspiracies began to gather around Ramose. Fate is predestined, even if you want to stay away from danger, there is a serious danger.

It is a novel in which love, action, history, and religion all come together. Ramose is a handsome young man, but his luck in love is very bad. Because his first love died and to get the second love he had to endure a long struggle and wait. True love in the practical sense is not easily available. Belus is another main character in this novel. Belus is Ramos' teacher and friend who solves many problems in his life by giving honest advice. I think we all need a friend like Belus in our lives. Who acts as a friend as well as a parent when needed.

From this book, we can also learn that just as a kind king is loved by his people, kindness brings happiness and prosperity to his kingdom. On the other hand, a cruel and arrogant ruler brings about his own destruction as well as the downfall of the empire. As we saw in the case of Pharaoh Apris and king Belshazzar.

Sir Henry Rider Haggard's writing is always full of adventure. I am a huge fan of his legendary creation Allah Quartermaine. But I think it would have been better if the name of the book was something other than Belshazzar because King Belshazzar comes after two-thirds of the story. I think that since Belshazzar does not cover the entire scope of the story or this king is an important character, but not the main character, so it is not logical to use his name in the naming of the story.

Other books by the author that I recommend are SHE AND ALLAN, SHE, RETURN OF SHE, THE TREASURE OF THE LAKE, QUEEN SHEBA'S RING, CLEOPATRA, ALLAN QUARTERMAIN, etc. Among them, SHE, a History of Adventure, and Ayesha, The Return of She are must try.